Arbeitserzieher/Arbeitserzieherin

This advanced training (Weiterbildung) takes place at vocational colleges (Fachschulen). Learning locations include classrooms, workshops, and internship facilities.

Profession Type: Advanced training (Weiterbildung) profession. Type of advanced training: Advanced training at vocational colleges (Fachschulen), regulated by state law (landesrechtlich geregelt). Duration of advanced training: 2-3 years (full-time/part-time). Tasks and Activities: Work educators support people with and without disabilities, fostering them with work-technical and therapeutic methods to facilitate their entry into a regular employment relationship. They assess the abilities, talents, and knowledge of the individuals entrusted to them and evaluate the requirements and demands of a workplace. Based on this, they select suitable tasks together with the individuals concerned. Work educators document the measures taken, write development reports, compile and implement support plans. They guide the supported individuals in activities and work techniques, design workplaces, and monitor the execution of tasks. Furthermore, they promote their work and social behavior.

Full-time: 2 years. Part-time: 3 years.

Hour distribution (example): Interdisciplinary area: 300 teaching hours. Educational science area: 420 teaching hours. Work education and occupational therapy area: 500 teaching hours. Handicraft, musical, and creative area: 380 teaching hours. Medical area: 200 teaching hours. Guided professional practice: 600 teaching hours. Total teaching hours: 2,400 teaching hours. Vocational internship: 1 year.

Advanced training (Weiterbildung) at state vocational colleges (Fachschulen) is generally free for students. Otherwise, course fees apply, and typically examination fees for the exam itself. Additional costs may arise, for example, for work materials, travel to the training institution, or external accommodation. Funding Opportunities: Preparatory courses for the advanced training examination may be financially supported under the Advanced Training Promotion Act (Aufstiegsfortbildungsförderungsgesetz). Further information: Aufstiegs-BAföG - Advancement with Funding. Support for particularly talented young professionals: Foundation for the Promotion of Talented Vocational Education (SBB) - Advanced Training Scholarship.

Work education and occupational therapy. Pedagogy with curative and special education, including youth welfare. Psychology and sociology. Psychiatry and neurology. Manufacturing techniques. Stress factors in work and profession. Musical-creative education. Didactics and methodology. Law and professional studies. General education subjects such as German, social studies.

In-depth knowledge in the following areas are good prerequisites for successfully passing the advanced training (Weiterbildung) examination: Pedagogy/Psychology: e.g., to competently guide, train, and engage people. Handicraft/Technology: e.g., to instruct people with disabilities in making wooden toys.

The advanced training (Weiterbildung) consists of theoretical and practical lessons in a classroom setting, as well as internships and project work. Depending on the education provider, one should be prepared for the following conditions: Class times: For full-time instruction: full-day classes on at least four weekdays. For part-time instruction: typically career-accompanying advanced training on weekends or evenings. Learning format: Generally in-person events: classroom instruction at the educational institution (possibly not at the place of residence).

If the practical component required for advanced training (Weiterbildung) is completed within the scope of professional activity, participants receive appropriate remuneration.

The following advanced training (Weiterbildung) alternatives are available for the profession of work educator (Arbeitserzieher/in): Area of People with Disabilities: Specialist teacher (state-certified) at special needs schools, State-certified specialist for blind and visually impaired rehabilitation. Commonality: Supporting and promoting young people or adults with disabilities. Social Work and Social Care Area: Certified specialist for work and vocational promotion, State-recognized curative educator (Heilpädagoge)/Bachelor Professional in Social Affairs. Commonality: Supporting and promoting young people or adults with disabilities.

In 2020, the Vocational Training Act (Berufsbildungsgesetz - BBiG) and the Crafts Code (Handwerksordnung - HWO) were amended. This included the introduction of advanced training qualifications such as "Geprüfte/r Berufsspezialist/in", "Bachelor Professional", and "Master Professional" to emphasize the equivalence of vocational and academic education. The use of these professional titles depends on the enactment of corresponding new advanced training regulations.

Shortening: An Ausbildung (vocational training) in the pedagogical, nursing, or social field can be credited towards the advanced training upon application and with the approval of the school supervisory authority.

This advanced training is legally regulated only within the specified Bundesland (federal state) and leads to the following qualification title there: Baden-Württemberg: State-recognized Arbeitserzieher (Work Educator) / State-recognized Arbeitserzieherin (Female Work Educator).

Arbeitserzieher or Arbeitserzieherin is a vocational advanced training. It is regulated by state law and takes place at Fachschulen (technical schools). The full-time advanced training lasts 2 years, while part-time lasts 3 years.

Finding suitable employment: After completing their advanced training, Arbeitserzieher/innen work, for example, in various resocialization and rehabilitation facilities. Securing employability: Through adaptive advanced training (Anpassungsweiterbildung), one can keep their specialized knowledge current, update it, and expand it. The range of topics extends from caring for people with disabilities to ergonomics. Career advancement: With their advanced training qualification, Arbeitserzieher/innen can gain access to a Studium (university degree program) even without a school-based university entrance qualification and, for example, obtain a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. Becoming self-employed: The step into self-employment is also possible, for instance, by establishing one's own rehabilitation or resocialization facility or a service company in the social sector.

School and Fachschule (technical school) regulations: This advanced training is regulated by state law in the following Bundesland (federal state): The State Government's Ordinance on Schools for Work Education and Curative Education Assistance (Arbeitserziehungs- und Heilerziehungshilfeschulverordnung) from March 30, 2004 (BW.GBl. S. 178), amended by Article 1 of the Ordinance from June 30, 2008 (BW.GBl. S. 217). The Social Ministry's Ordinance on Training and Examination at Vocational Schools for Work Education (Ausbildungs- und Prüfungsverordnung Arbeitserziehung - APrOArbErz), proclaimed as Article 16 of the Ordinance from July 18, 2017 (BW.GBl. S. 381, S. 420, corrected S. 536), amended by Article 56 of the Law from February 10, 2026 (BW.GBl. Nr. 20). No state law regulations exist in the following Bundesländer: Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia. Overall for advanced training and activity: Law on...

The prerequisites for admission to advanced training are usually: a secondary school leaving certificate (mittlerer Bildungsabschluss) and a completed vocational training (Berufsausbildung) of at least 2 years; or a Hauptschulabschluss (basic secondary school leaving certificate), a completed vocational training of at least 2 years, and 2 years of professional experience. Additionally, the following are required: proof of health suitability and, if applicable, a police clearance certificate.