Part-Time Vocational Training
Leaving your current profession and moving into a different industry to give more time to your health, your family, and the topics you love – that is your goal. But how can this be turned into reality? What opportunities are there to attend retraining programmes that fit well into your daily life? Here is an overview of the possibilities for part-time retraining.
Please note that current regulations are subject to change at any time. For up-to-date information, please contact the relevant authorities directly, such as the Employment Agency or Jobcenter (Germany), the AMS (Austria), or other designated contact points. We assume no liability for the information provided in this article – it is intended solely for inspiration and to encourage you to seek further details from the respective official bodies. Enjoy discovering new opportunities!
Retraining Opportunities – What Types of Retraining Are Available?
In German-speaking countries, there is a long-standing tradition of multi-year vocational pathways that prepare individuals for specific professions. If someone is no longer able or willing to work in their trained profession due to health or other reasons, there are numerous opportunities for retraining. These can be summarised into three categories:
School-based Retraining
This form of retraining takes place in a vocational school or other educational institutions.In-company Retraining (also known as Dual Retraining)
In this model, the practical part of the retraining occurs directly within a company, while a vocational school is attended for the theoretical components.Inter-company Retraining
Independent of a specific company, this form of retraining is provided by private educational institutions. Funding opportunities are available through the Federal Employment Agency (in Germany) or the Public Employment Service (AMS) in Austria.
Understanding these forms of retraining provides essential foundational knowledge, especially when applying for financial support. In addition to traditional retraining, there is also the option of self-organised further education to facilitate entry into new professional fields:
Part-time Studies and Continuing Education
If you wish to use your time alongside your current employment to move in a new professional direction, you can do so through self-organised learning outside of standardised educational pathways. A wide variety of part-time degree programmes and continuing education courses are available for this purpose, offered both in-person and online. An overview of retraining options provides a solid knowledge base for any professional realignment.
Part-time Retraining – How does it work?
With part-time retraining, the time spent at vocational school often remains the same, while on-site working hours are reduced. This allows retraining to be better combined with family life or even part-time self-employment. In most cases, funding applications are geared towards full-time retraining; however, a supplementary application for part-time retraining is possible if appropriate reasons regarding one's life circumstances are provided (e.g., childcare, caring for relatives, parental leave, or illness due to stress in a current profession). In consultation with the retraining providers, part-time retraining can be approved.
Another way to reorient yourself on a part-time basis is through part-time studies or (online) continuing education. Especially if you are wondering how to retrain from home, it is worth exploring the range of options available for online retraining.
Financial Support for Retraining from the Employment Agency
In some cases, the employment agency provides financial support for retraining: in Germany, this is the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) or the Jobcenter, and in Austria, the Public Employment Service (Arbeitsmarktservice – AMS). Applications for vocational training grants can be submitted there and may be approved under certain conditions. Individuals who can no longer work in their previous profession due to health reasons receive particular support.
Support from the Employment Agency or Jobcenter (Germany)
The legal basis for vocational training grants in Germany is found in the Social Code (SGB §81).
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Education Voucher (Bildungsgutschein): You can apply for an education voucher if further training is deemed "necessary". Whether this is the case is at the discretion of your advisor at the Employment Agency or Jobcenter. Relevant criteria include ending unemployment or preventing imminent unemployment for those currently employed. Funding can cover course fees, examination fees, learning materials, and travel expenses. An education voucher can be requested after a consultation. Appointments can be made directly with the Employment Agency at: +49 800 4 555500 (toll-free from German lines), Monday – Friday, 8 am – 6 pm.
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Educational Leave (Bildungsurlaub): Educational leave is governed by state law: in all German federal states except Bavaria and Saxony, employees can apply for educational leave directly with their employer. This usually consists of a quota of 5 days per calendar year.
Further support is available through training cheques, education bonuses, Activation and Placement Vouchers (AVGS), and various scholarships. More information is available directly from the Federal Employment Agency.
Support from the AMS (Austria)
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Part-time Educational Leave (Bildungsteilzeit): The Austrian Public Employment Service offers "Bildungsteilzeit" as a measure. Regular working hours are reduced, and retraining is completed during the remaining time. This can last and be funded for 4 to 24 months, allowing employees to remain with their company.
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Retraining Allowance (Umschulungsgeld): People who require vocational retraining for health reasons can apply for a retraining allowance from the AMS. This is a rehabilitation measure that includes the full unemployment benefit, as well as additional financial support and family supplements.
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Continuing Education Allowance for Educational Leave (Bildungskarenz): To pursue further education while retaining a current job, employees in Austria can agree on "Bildungskarenz" with their employer. A total of 12 months can be approved within a 4-year period. During this time, the employee is released from work without pay, and the AMS pays a continuing education allowance.
Further support for job seekers at the AMS includes:
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AQUA: Work-based qualification for job seekers with a clear vision of a new career and a partner company.
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Work Trial (Arbeitserprobung): For job seekers wanting to prove their skills to a company and gain practical experience.
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FiT: Specifically for women retraining in technical or trade professions.
From Unemployment to Self-Employment
Those who wish to use this phase of realignment as an opportunity to work more independently and realise the dream of self-employment also receive financial support. In Austria, this is through the Business Start-up Programme (Unternehmens-Gründungsprogramm), and in Germany, via the Start-up Grant (Gründungszuschuss) from the Employment Agency. Retraining and reorientation initially involve investments of time, energy, and money. At the same time, we are always investing in ourselves and our own fulfilling future.
Which Retraining Path is Right for Me?
The time for a new direction has come. However, for you, the phase of endless trial and error is over. Even if there are no clear pictures yet of where the journey might lead, here are three steps that can help you make a sustainably right decision:
Inward Reflection and Self-Discovery
What do I want? What brings me joy? How do I want to make an impact in the world? You can find support in gaining clarity through waldzeit Coaching for professional realignment.
Strengths Analysis
What am I particularly good at? What comes naturally to me? What skills do I already possess? You are not starting from scratch. You can find support for this through a 'Strengths Update'.
Connecting with Like-minded People & Role Models
Who inspires you? Who is at a similar crossroads, and who can accompany you? Podcasts offer a great way to meet many people who share stories of their own paths. You can do just that with the podcast stark und unsicher – you can find all the interviews here.
It’s not too late.
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