Geprüfter Berufspädagoge/Geprüfte Berufspädagogin (Weiterbildung)

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

Occupation type: Further training occupation. Type of further training: Further training examination according to nationwide standardized regulations. Participation in preparatory courses is not required. Duration of further training: Varies, 5-21 months – depending on the educational offer, class time (full-time/part-time), and learning format. Tasks and activities: Vocational educators work in vocational education and further training, developing new educational concepts and methods. They convey specialized knowledge and skills using various learning media. They plan and organize company training and further training processes and determine the necessary qualifications. Additionally, they advise and support participants, for example, through learning-supportive discussions or counseling services. They use pedagogical methods to assess competencies or evaluate participants, and for this purpose, they develop or optimize assessment systems and examination procedures. Work areas and locations: Employing companies: Vocational educators and voc...

Varies depending on the educational offer and learning format: Full-time: approx. 5-6 months. Part-time: approx. 12-21 months.

Distribution of hours (example): Learning and working methodology: 10 hours. Core processes of vocational education: Learning processes and learning support: 150 hours. Planning processes: 150 hours. Management processes: 150 hours. Vocational pedagogical actions in areas of vocational education: Vocational training (Ausbildung): 100 hours. Further training (Weiterbildung): 120 hours. Personnel development and consulting: 120 hours. Project work: 25 hours. Total hours: 825 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 further training institution, or for external accommodation. Funding opportunities: Further training can potentially be financially supported according to the 'Aufstiegsfortbildungsförderungsgesetz' (Advanced Training Promotion Act). Further information: Aufstiegs-BAföG - Aufstieg mit Förderung. Funding for particularly gifted young professionals: Stiftung Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung (SBB) - Weiterbildungsstipendium (Further Training Scholarship).

Learning processes and learning support, e.g., theoretical foundations of learning and development, didactic preparation and implementation, methodical planning and design. Planning processes, e.g., identification of company training needs, recruitment of applicants and participants, cooperation with educational networks and partners, implementation of training and further training regulations. Management processes, e.g., management and controlling of vocational and company training processes, quality management, financial planning. Vocational training (Berufsausbildung), e.g., planning a vocational training, learning support for apprentices, examining and examination design. Further training (Weiterbildung), e.g., coaching and educational counseling, organization of further training measures, leadership and qualification of further educators. Personnel development and counseling, e.g., competence development, qualification analysis and qualification programs, learning-promoting work forms, counseling for managers. Special vocational pedagogical functions, e.g., teaching, developing, and planning.

In-depth knowledge in the following areas is a good prerequisite for successfully passing this advanced training examination: Pedagogy/Didactics (e.g., to guide and assess learners in a company), Mathematics (e.g., to determine the costs of educational measures), and Management/Marketing (e.g., to take on the management and leadership functions of a company).

This advanced training consists of theoretical and practical lessons. Depending on the education provider, one should be prepared for the following conditions: Full-time lessons mean full-day classes on at least four weekdays. Part-time lessons are typically career-accompanying, held on weekends or in the evenings. For in-person events, classes take place in a classroom setting at the educational institution (possibly not at the place of residence). For digital learning forms (e.g., virtual classroom), learning occurs exclusively via electronic learning platforms and systems (predominantly from home in a classroom setting). Combined learning forms (e.g., Blended Learning) involve in-person classes at the educational institution and self-directed learning via electronic learning platforms and systems from home. Distance learning involves individual processing of learning material from home (requires high demands on self-discipline and work organization); there may also be additional in-person sessions.

For advanced training abroad, options include, for example, the Berufsförderungsinstitut Steiermark in Austria (e.g., with the search terms 'Berufspädagoge' or 'Berufspädagogin'). The Europass offers the opportunity to document learning stays completed abroad. Further information on Europass is available.

Participation in advanced training is not remunerated.

The following advanced training alternatives are available for the profession of Berufspädagoge/-pädagogin: The field of education, school, vocational training, and advanced training; specialist teacher for vocational/general education schools; International Master. Their commonality is the imparting of theoretical and practical knowledge.

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

Qualification Title: Certified Vocational Pedagogue (Geprüfter Berufspädagoge/Geprüfte Berufspädagogin)

Certified Vocational Pedagogue is a professional advanced training (Weiterbildung). The examination is uniformly regulated nationwide in Germany. It is not required to attend a course to be admitted to the examination. Furthermore, there is the possibility to study vocational pedagogy (Berufspädagogik) at universities (Hochschulen).

After their advanced training, vocational pedagogues work, for example, in vocational training (Ausbildung) and advanced training institutions or in vocational schools (Berufsschule). Through adaptive advanced training (Anpassungsweiterbildung), one can keep their specialized knowledge current, bring it up to date, and expand it. The range of topics extends from in-company training and further education to human resource development. With their advanced training qualification, vocational pedagogues can gain access to university studies (Studium) even without a general higher education entrance qualification (schulische Hochschulzugangsberechtigung) and, for example, acquire a Bachelor's degree in vocational pedagogy. The step into self-employment is also possible, for example, with a service company in the field of business pedagogy.

Legal Regulations and Recommendations: Ordinance on the examination for the recognized advanced training qualification Certified Vocational Pedagogue (Geprüfter Berufspädagoge/Geprüfte Berufspädagogin) of 21.08.2009 (BGBl. I S. 2927), last amended by Article 48 of the Ordinance of 09.12.2019 (BGBl. I S. 2153). Certified Vocational Pedagogue - Framework Plan with Learning Objectives, 2022 (German Chamber of Industry and Commerce - DIHK).

The prerequisite for admission to the advanced training examination is usually: an advanced training qualification as a Certified Training and Advanced Training Pedagogue (Geprüfte/r Aus- und Weiterbildungspädagoge/-pädagogin), Specialist (Fachwirt/in), Specialist Clerk (Fachkaufmann/-frau), Industrial, Specialist or Master Craftsman (Industrie-, Fach- oder Handwerksmeister/in) OR a university degree (Hochschulstudium) or a technical college (Fachschule) degree OR a final examination in a recognized vocational training (Ausbildung) occupation. In each case, corresponding professional experience and a successful examination according to the Instructor Aptitude Ordinance are also required.