Logo Bayernportal
- no location -
Home > Procedures

Apply for funding for further vocational training at the job center or employment agency

Are you employed or unemployed and would like to gain further vocational training or qualifications? Then you can apply for further training support from the Employment Agency. If you receive benefits according to SGB II (citizen's allowance), the Jobcenter will advise you.

Responsible for you

For contact details of the responsible authoritiy and local valid information select under "Select location" a location.
Stilisiertes Bild eines Hauses
Agenturen für Arbeit in Bayern
Mehr zur Behörde

Procedure details

General further education funding with the education voucher:

With an education voucher, the employment agency can cover all or part of the costs of your further vocational training. Before you receive an education voucher, the relevant employment agency will check with you whether further training is necessary for you.

You can redeem the education voucher at an educational institution of your choice if it is approved for further education funding.

The further education measure itself must also be approved and match the education voucher. The education voucher specifies, among other things

  • the educational objective,
  • the duration until the educational goal is achieved,
  • the content of the qualification,
  • the regional area of validity and
  • the period of validity in which you must have redeemed the education voucher and started your participation.

The education voucher is generally valid at your place of residence and at locations that you can reach from home every day.

The further training costs that the employment agency pays for you generally include

  • Course costs and costs for the aptitude test,
  • travel costs,
  • Costs for accommodation and meals away from home,
  • Costs for childcare.

Further training bonuses:

As part of further training funded by the Employment Agency that leads to a qualification in a training occupation for which a training period of at least 2 years is stipulated by federal or state regulations, you will receive a further training bonus of EUR 1,000 after passing an intermediate examination regulated by these regulations and EUR 1,500 after passing the final examination.

Further training allowance:

Unemployed employees and persons capable of earning and entitled to benefits in an employment relationship receive a monthly allowance of EUR 150 (further training allowance) if they take part in subsidized further training that leads to a qualification in a training occupation for which a training period of at least 2 years is stipulated by federal or state regulations.

Subsequent acquisition of the lower secondary school leaving certificate:

Under certain conditions, the subsequent acquisition of a secondary general school certificate or an equivalent qualification is also subsidized.

Funding for employees without a vocational qualification or with a vocational qualification that cannot be used (low-skilled workers):

If you do not yet have a vocational qualification or have not worked in the profession you have learned for more than 4 years and can no longer work in the profession you previously learned due to a change of profession, you will be supported in participating in further training measures to subsequently acquire a vocational qualification by covering the costs of further training.

These 4 years include

  • Periods of employment in unskilled and semi-skilled work
  • Unemployment
  • Periods spent caring for relatives
  • Periods spent bringing up children
  • Periods of marginal employment

If you are entitled to unemployment benefit before the start of your further training, you will also receive unemployment benefit for the period of further training.

If you are still in need of assistance according to SGB II (citizen's allowance) during your further training, you will continue to receive citizen's allowance.

Acquisition of basic skills:

If you still lack basic skills in the areas of reading, writing, mathematics or information and communication technologies, the Employment Agency can also support further training in these areas under certain conditions.

Funding for employed workers:

The employment agency can also promote further training for employees.

Your employer must generally contribute to the course costs. They can also receive wage subsidies while you are undergoing further training. The amount depends on the size of the company:

  • Wage subsidies amounting to:
    • 75% for companies with up to 49 employees
    • 50 % for companies with 50 to 499 employees
    • 25 % for companies with 500 or more employees
  • Subsidies for training course costs amounting to:
    • 100% (target) for companies with up to 49 employees
    • 50 % for companies with up to 499 employees
    • 25 % for companies with 500 or more employees
    • For employees aged 45 and over and for severely disabled persons, up to 100% of the training costs are to be covered, provided that the company has up to 499 employees.
  • In addition, 5% higher subsidies for training course costs and wages if there is a collective agreement or a company agreement on vocational training.

Assumption of the full course costs and wage subsidy of up to 100% for participation of low-skilled employees in further training with the aim of obtaining a vocational qualification.

The costs for your further training can usually be covered if

  • you have taken part in counseling provided by the employment agency,
  • the further training is necessary to end your unemployment, catch up on a missing vocational qualification or avert imminent unemployment
  • the individual employability is improved through the acquisition of extended professional skills and the further training is appropriate with regard to the labor market and
  • the training measure and the training provider are approved for further training funding.

Funding is also possible for employees under certain conditions if

  • the further training goes beyond exclusively job-related short-term adaptation training,
  • the vocational qualification was generally obtained at least 2 years ago,
  • they have not participated in further vocational training funded by the Employment Agency in the 2 years prior to submitting the application,
  • the further training lasts more than 120 hours,
  • the provider and the measure are approved.

  • Required Documents
    • Curriculum vitae
    • Certificates

If you are unemployed or at risk of unemployment or want to catch up on a vocational qualification, you can only initiate your further training support together with your placement specialist:

  • To do this, make an appointment at the employment agency responsible for your place of residence. Optionally, you can send an online request to your employment agency.
  • If you receive citizen's allowance, make an appointment at your job center.
  • In a personal interview, it will be clarified whether you need additional qualifications in order to find a job as quickly as possible.
  • Your placement specialist will then check whether you meet the requirements for support.
  • Under certain circumstances, the Medical Service or the Occupational Psychology Service may also be involved in determining your suitability.
  • Training voucher:
    • Your placement specialist will usually issue you with the education voucher directly during the consultation.
    • You choose a suitable course yourself and register.
  • Before the course begins, the training provider confirms your acceptance onto the course on the training voucher and informs the employment agency. The employment agency then checks whether the course matches the education voucher and whether you meet the admission requirements. If this is the case, funding for further training is possible and you can start the course.
  • You should already start applying for suitable job vacancies during the course.
  • If you fall ill during the course, you must inform both the employment agency and the training provider.
  • You will continue to receive support from your placement specialist during the course and will discuss the next steps in your job search with them, especially before the end of the training course. If you receive citizen's allowance, you will also be supported by your integration specialist at the Jobcenter during your further training.

If you are in employment, discuss your training needs with your employer. You can then contact the employment agency and clarify the next steps.

Es fallen keine Kosten für die Arbeitnehmerin oder den Arbeitnehmer an (ggf. Kofinanzierung durch Arbeitgeber).

Gültigkeit des Bildungsgutscheins

2 bis 4 Wochen

Since January 1, 2025, the employment agencies have also been deciding on the funding of further vocational training for recipients of SGB II benefits (citizens' allowance).

  • Contradiction

  • Apply for a placement budget at the job center

    If you are looking for or starting a new job or apprenticeship, you can, for example, have your expenses for application documents or travel to a job interview reimbursed by your Jobcenter.

Status: 14.03.2026
Editorially responsible for procedure description: Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales
Source: Federal Portal