Are you considering pursuing further education with an educational course and are meeting the requirements to apply for a government-funded educational voucher (Bildungsgutschein)?
Previously, you would have to submit your application to the appropriate branch of either the Jobcenter or the Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit). However, as of January 1, 2025, new guidelines will come into effect.
What are the exact changes?
Starting January 1, 2025, all services under Section 16, Paragraph 1, Sentence 3 of the (SGB II will exclusively be provided by the Agentur für Arbeit (Employment Agency). This change affects responsibilities related to consultation, approval, and funding for educational training.
Therefore, Bildungsgutscheine can no longer be applied for at both the Jobcenter and the Employment Agency. Regardless of whether the Jobcenter was previously responsible for your case, applications for educational vouchers will now be handled solely by the Employment Agency.
What if I applied for a Bildungsgutschein before January 1, 2025?
These changes only apply to new applications. If the Jobcenter was previously responsible for you and you applied for an educational voucher there before January 1, 2025, you won’t need to switch to the Employment Agency. The Jobcenter will remain responsible for processing your request, and your contact person will stay the same. However, if you wish to apply for a Bildungsgutschein after January 1, 2025, you will need to submit your application through the Agentur für Arbeit.
What exactly is a Bildungsgutschein?
Not sure what a Bildungsgutschein is or how it can be used?
A Bildungsgutschein is a government-funded voucher that can fully cover the cost of educational training and it’s entirely state-funded. In addition to the Bildungsgutschein, there’s also an activation voucher (Aktivierungsgutschein).
Similar to the Bildungsgutschein, it is designed for shorter programs to provide free consultations or training sessions. In contrast, the Bildungsgutschein supports a full training program. If you want to explore which training programs qualify for a Bildungsgutschein and which ones best suit your interests and skills, you can arrange a free course consultation.
Are you eligible for a Bildungsgutschein?
Not everyone qualifies for support via a Bildungsgutschein. To be eligible, you must be unemployed or facing imminent unemployment, reside in Germany, be registered with or in the process of registering with the Jobcenter/Agentur für Arbeit and meet additional requirements. If you currently have a mini or midi job, you may still be eligible if you meet the other criteria.
You are more likely to qualify for a Bildungsgutschein if you are motivated and driven to pursue your desired course. You can choose to further your skills in your current industry or make a complete career change. Although switching careers can sometimes make qualifying for a Bildungsgutschein more challenging, it is still possible with a compelling case. Be prepared for your appointment and bring a well-thought-out motivational letter.
How do I obtain a Bildungsgutschein?
Starting January first 2025, the Agentur für Arbeit alone (not the Jobcenter) will be responsible for determining who qualifies for an education voucher. The Agentur für Arbeit is a German public authority in charge of employment and training issues. If you are unemployed and have previously contributed to unemployment insurance, you should already be familiar with the Agentur für Arbeit. To apply for a Bildungsgutschein, you must register with the Agentur für Arbeit and submit an application.
How do I register with the Agentur für Arbeit?
To register, create an account on the Agentur für Arbeit website. You can find the link to their website here. To make registration even easier, you can watch our video to learn how to sign up properly.
More information on registration with the Agentur für Arbeit can be found in this blog article.