Geprüfter Aus- und Weiterbildungspädagoge/Geprüfte Aus- und Weiterbildungspädagogin

Preparation courses for the examination take place at various educational institutions. Learning locations are: for in-person events, training rooms; for digital learning forms (e.g., virtual classroom) and distance learning, at home (and potentially training rooms for in-person phases); for combined learning forms (e.g., blended learning), training rooms for in-person events and at home for online learning units.

The profession type is a continuing education profession. The type of continuing education is a continuing education examination regulated nationwide. Participation in preparatory courses is not required. The duration of continuing education varies, from 3-18 months, depending on the educational offering, class time (full-time/part-time), and learning format. Aus- und Weiterbildungspädagogen/pedagogin (Education and Continuing Education Pedagogists) organize in-company Ausbildung (vocational training) and continuing education and optimize learning processes. They develop learning concepts and support trainees and employees during learning processes. In case of learning difficulties, they advise learners, promote them individually, motivate them, and observe progress. Furthermore, they develop and optimize examinations and prepare examination participants. Aus- und Weiterbildungspädagogen/pedagogin, for example, design Ausbildung (vocational training) marketing, evaluate the effectiveness of educational measures (educational controlling), and continuously improve the quality of Ausbildung (vocational training) and continuing education. Work areas and locations vary.

The duration varies depending on the educational offering and learning format: Full-time: approx. 3-4 months. Part-time: approx. 13-18 months.

An exemplary distribution of teaching hours is: Learning and Working Methodology: 10 teaching hours. I. Learning Processes and Learning Support: Design of Learning Processes and Learning Support: 150 teaching hours. Learning-Psychological, Youth, Adult, and Socio-Pedagogically Supported Learning Support: 50 teaching hours. Media Selection and Use: 30 teaching hours. Learning and Development Counseling: 70 teaching hours. Total Learning Processes and Learning Support: 300 teaching hours. II. Planning Processes in Vocational Education: Organization and Planning of Vocational Education Processes: 70 teaching hours. Recruitment, Aptitude Assessment, and Selection of Trainees: 30 teaching hours. Assessment of Learning Achievements as well as Examining and Examination Design: 30 teaching hours. Vocational-Pedagogical Support for Specialists in Ausbildung (vocational training) and Continuing Education: 50 teaching hours. Quality Assurance of Vocational Education Processes: 20 teaching hours. Total Planning Processes in Vocational Education: 200 teaching hours.

Course fees are generally incurred for attending preparatory courses, and examination fees for the examination itself. Additional costs may arise, for example, for work materials, travel to the continuing education institution, or for external accommodation. Continuing education can potentially be financially supported according to the Aufstiegsfortbildungsförderungsgesetz (Advanced Training Promotion Act). Further information: Aufstiegs-BAföG - Aufstieg mit Förderung and for the promotion of highly talented young specialists: Stiftung Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung (SBB) - Weiterbildungsstipendium (Continuing Education Scholarship).

Learning processes and learning support include designing learning processes and learning support, orienting learning support psychologically and pedagogically towards target groups, specifically selecting and using teaching and learning materials, and advising in different learning and development processes and phases. Planning processes in vocational education involve planning and organizing vocational education processes, recruiting and selecting trainees, recognizing, assessing, and evaluating learning achievements, as well as conceiving and designing examinations, providing vocational-pedagogical support to specialists in Ausbildung (vocational training) and continuing education, and defining quality standards for vocational education processes and monitoring their compliance. Vocational-pedagogical action includes developing and planning Ausbildung (vocational training) and continuing education measures, planning and using methods, and applying moderation and presentation techniques in a target-group-specific manner.

In-depth knowledge in the following areas is a good prerequisite for successfully passing this advanced training (Weiterbildung) examination: Pedagogy/Didactics (e.g., to create learning materials and sequences) and Mathematics (e.g., to create cost-benefit analyses of educational measures).

The advanced training (Weiterbildung) consists of theoretical and practical instruction. Depending on the educational provider, one should be prepared for the following conditions: For full-time instruction, classes are held all day on at least four weekdays. For part-time instruction, it is typically career-accompanying advanced training (Weiterbildung) on weekends or in the evenings. In face-to-face events, instruction takes place in a classroom setting at the educational institution (possibly not at the place of residence). In digital learning forms (e.g., virtual classroom), learning occurs exclusively via electronic learning platforms and systems (primarily from home in a classroom setting). In combined learning forms (e.g., Blended Learning), there are face-to-face events in a classroom setting at the educational institution and self-directed learning via electronic learning platforms and systems from home. In distance learning, the learning material is processed individually from home (high demands on self-discipline and work organization); additional in-person sessions may also occur.

Participation in an advanced training (Weiterbildung) is not remunerated.

The following advanced training (Weiterbildung) alternative is available for the profession of Training and Advanced Training Educator: Field of Education, School, Vocational Training (Ausbildung) and Advanced Training, Specialist Teacher for vocational/general education schools. The commonality is imparting theoretical and practical teaching or training content.

In 2020, the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) and the Crafts Code (HWO) were amended. Among other things, this introduced the advanced training (Weiterbildung) qualifications '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 (Fortbildung) regulations.

Qualification Title: Geprüfter Aus- und Weiterbildungspädagoge/Geprüfte Aus- und Weiterbildungspädagogin

Certified Training and Further Education Pedagogue is a professional further training. The examination is uniformly regulated nationwide in Germany. It is not required to attend a course to be admitted to the examination.

It is possible to find suitable employment after further training. Training and further education pedagogues work, for example, with educational providers in the field of vocational adult education or with public-law economic representations. Through adaptive further training, one can keep their professional knowledge current, bring it up to date, and expand it. The range of topics extends from in-company training and further education to conflict management. Building on existing qualifications, advanced further training courses specifically designed for further training graduates can expand and complement the competence profile. It is a logical step to take the examination as a vocational pedagogue. With their further training qualification, training and further education pedagogues can gain access to a Studium (university degree program) even without a school-based higher education entrance qualification and, for example, obtain a bachelor's degree.

Legal regulations for the examination and further training: Ordinance on the examination for the recognized advanced training qualification Certified Training and Further Education Pedagogue of 21.08.2009 (BGBl. S. 2934), last amended by Article 49 of the Ordinance of 09.12.2019 (BGBl. I S. 2153). Certified Training and Further Education Pedagogue: Framework plan with learning objectives, 2013 (German Chamber of Industry and Commerce - DIHK).

Typically, a final examination in a recognized Ausbildung (vocational training) occupation and corresponding relevant professional experience related to in-company training and further education is a prerequisite for admission to the further training examination.