Administrative services A-Z

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Online services available: Yes

If you need special assistance with vocational reorientation or change of direction due to physical, mental, sensory or learning impairments, you can take rehabilitation-specific continuing education. You can then continue your training either

• in the company with the support of an educational institution (in-company retraining)
• or directly in an educational institution
• or in a vocational rehabilitation facility.

You are covered by social insurance during your continuing education. The further training costs are paid by the Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit), provided that the Federal Employment Agency is your responsible rehabilitation agency. Depending on your eligibility, you may be entitled to transitional benefits during your continuing education. During retraining that leads to a recognized vocational qualification, you will receive further training allowance of EUR 150.00 per month from 01.07.2023.

The aim of the further training is, for example, to improve your chances of integration on the labor market through qualification and to find employment appropriate to your health. The following measures are possible:

Rehab preparation course (RVL).

In the RVL, you will receive support services that prepare you for retraining. In addition, you will be supported in finding a suitable retraining company. The RVL usually lasts 3 months.

Further vocational training with a qualification

Through further training with a qualification (= retraining), you can obtain a vocational qualification in a recognized training occupation. The retraining period usually comprises 2/3 of the regular training period of the occupational goal. The entire retraining period is supported. If you have to repeat exams and your retraining period is extended as a result, the funding will also be extended.

If you complete a company-based retraining program, you will receive socio-pedagogical and, in some cases, psychological support, depending on your individual needs. The goal is for you to successfully complete your retraining and find a job afterwards.

An educational institution accompanies you throughout the entire retraining period with teaching, support and counseling services and helps you with problems at vocational school and in the company.

If in-company retraining is not possible for you, you can complete it at an educational institution or a vocational rehabilitation facility.

The theoretical part of the retraining takes place in the educational institution or vocational rehabilitation facility and in vocational schools. The retraining also includes support and remedial teaching and offers for exam preparation. The practical parts of the retraining are carried out by companies with which a retraining or cooperation agreement may be concluded.

Continuing vocational training without a qualification

Within the framework of continuing education without a degree, you can adapt your qualifications and knowledge to the current requirements of the labor market.

The content, duration and orientation of continuing education measures without a degree are varied. They can include knowledge transfer, but also support in taking up a job on the labor market and in-company phases. This also includes integration measures.

Depending on the target group and equipment, the (educational) facilities have their own workshops, offices and businesses with disability-friendly workplace design and provide pedagogical and, in some cases, psychological support.

Vocational rehabilitation facilities also offer residential and recreational opportunities and are available to answer occupational health questions.

Whether you can undergo rehabilitation-specific further training - supported by a company or in an (educational) institution - depends, among other things, on whether

• whether the measure is suitable for you and your specific case in order to increase your chances on the labor market,
• what your personal inclinations are and how they can be useful in your professional life,
• what activities you have performed to date, and
• how the labor market is currently developing.

If you would like to complete a rehabilitation-specific continuing education program, the following requirements apply:

• You have a disability and your rehabilitation provider is the Federal Employment Agency.
• Your prospects of participating in working life are not only temporarily significantly reduced due to the nature or severity of your disability.
  • Or: You are threatened with a disability with the same occupational consequences.
• Due to the nature and severity of your disabilities
  • the general benefits to support your participation in working life are not sufficient,
  • you need special support from an educational institution, or
  • you need to complete further training in a special vocational rehabilitation facility.
• You are willing to undergo vocational training or other vocational integration.
• You are expected to complete the continuing education program.

Please ask which documents you need when you contact the employment agency.

None

In order for you to receive rehabilitation-specific continuing education, you must contact your employment agency:

• To do so, make an appointment with the Vocational Rehabilitation and Participation Team at your employment agency.
  • If you do not yet have a personal contact person at your employment agency, make an appointment via the service hotline of the Federal Employment Agency.
• The counseling session will clarify whether rehabilitation-specific continuing education is suitable for you.
• If your advisor determines that a rehabilitation-specific continuing education program is suitable for you, you will be immediately registered for it. Your counselor will also discuss with you the forms you need to complete. You can also complete the paperwork online.
• You will receive written notification as soon as a place is available.
• The employment agency registers you with the educational institution or vocational rehabilitation facility.
• You conclude a continuing education/participation contract with the educational institution or facility and begin your continuing education.

You can find the office of the Federal Employment Agency responsible for you using the office finder.

The Employment Agency is responsible

You can find the office of the Federal Employment Agency responsible for you using the office finder.

• § Section 16 of the Second Book of the German Social Code (SGB II)
• § Section 112 of the Third Book of the German Social Code (SGB III)
• § Section 117 (1) of the Third Book of the German Social Code (SGB III)

• Technical directives of the Federal Employment Agency on benefits for participation in working life in accordance with Section 112 SGB III
• Technical directives of the Federal Employment Agency on benefits for participation in working life in accordance with Section 116 SGB III
• Technical directives of the Federal Employment Agency on benefits for participation in working life in accordance with Section 117 SGB III
• Information for people with disabilities on the website of the Federal Employment Agency
• Information for people with disabilities on support for further training on the website of the Federal Employment Agency
• Fact sheet from the Federal Employment Agency on promoting participation in working life for employees
• Technical directives of the Federal Employment Agency on integration services for employable beneficiaries with disabilities pursuant to Section 16 (1) sentence 3 SGB II

Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS)