Did you know that only a small proportion of eligible employees in Germany claim their right to educational leave? Despite its great potential, this special leave entitlement is still largely unknown to many employees and companies.
We want to change that with this article!
Educational leave allows you to continue your professional or personal development and acquire new skills while your job remains secure. In this guide, we clarify the basic questions: What exactly is educational leave? Who is entitled to it? And how can you best use it for your professional and personal development?
What is educational leave?
Educational leave is a special type of paid leave from work that allows employees in Germany to take part in further training measures - without having to take regular vacation days!
These training courses can be of a professional, political or even personal nature. What is unique is that the content of the training units does not have to be related to the current profession. For example, a sales manager can take part in a drumming course on educational leave or a pharmacist can learn Spanish.
Who is entitled to educational leave?
In Germany, employees, civil servants and similar groups are entitled to educational leave. This is regulated by the Employee Training Act (AWbG), which grants employees up to five days of educational leave per year.
This applies to both full-time and part-time employees, including those who are employed in a mini-job. However, the entitlement to educational leave varies from state to state. Employers can only refuse an application for educational leave for urgent operational reasons.
Good to know: If you do not use your entitlement to five days of educational leave in a calendar year, these days can be carried over to the next calendar year - you are then entitled to ten days of educational leave! Please note, however, that you can only carry over days once; unused days cannot be accumulated over several years and then taken in one block.
There are no national regulations for educational leave for self-employed people and students, as they are not covered by the typical employee protection laws.
You can take these courses on educational leave
Educational leave stands for further training opportunities that go far beyond everyday working life. Whether you want to specialize professionally, expand your personal skills or simply discover new interests, educational leave offers you the time and framework you need.
Here are some inspirations and examples of courses you can take as part of educational leave:
- Language courses: Intensive courses for languages such as Spanish, which take place in Spanish-speaking countries such as Spain or Latin America and offer a combination of learning and cultural experience.
- Personal development: seminars covering topics such as time management, effective communication and leadership skills.
- Professional qualifications: Technical or trade courses as well as IT and programming courses designed for professional training and career development.
- Creative and cultural education: From recycling workshops to artistic courses or visits to international events such as the Venice Architecture Biennale.
- Outdoor and experiential education: Courses that include outdoor activities and outdoor training, such as forest bathing or outdoor systemic coaching, which utilize the healing and inspirational power of nature.
- Health and stress management: Offerings such as yoga seminars, stress management courses and special retreats such as therapeutic fasting or fascia rotation for relaxation on the coast or in monastery environments.
Can't wait for your educational vacation and need a dose of express relaxation? We have put together three effective methods for reducing stress in our article: These three relaxation techniques will help you switch off.
Offers and courses for educational leave - how to find them
Think about the direction you want your educational leave to take: personal or professional development? This is a good place to start looking for suitable courses.
Here are some helpful platforms and criteria to consider when choosing the right course:
Platforms and places to go for course offers:
- Bildungsurlaub.de This website offers an extensive database of recognized educational leave courses throughout Germany.
- Adult education centers (VHS): Many VHS also offer educational leave courses that are specifically tailored to the needs of working people. Just take a look at the VHS page for your region.
Example:VHS Cologne - The city lists its educational leave courses here.
- Professional associations and chambers: These organizations can also provide further education courses or provide information about those that are relevant to their members.
Tip: If your educational leave takes you far away, it may be worth combining it with your regular vacation - also in connection with a workation.
We have compiled all the important steps for successfully planning your workation for you in this article: Planning the perfect workation in 7 steps.
How to recognize whether a course is recognized as educational leave
To find out whether a course is recognized as educational leave, you can take the following steps:
1. check the course provider: Find out directly from the course provider whether the course offered is recognized as educational leave. Many providers already provide this information in the course description on their website.
2. contact the relevant authorities: Each federal state has a competent authority that is responsible for recognizing educational leave. These authorities keep lists of recognized courses. You can often find information on this on the websites of the ministries of education or senate administrations of your federal state.
3. request a letter of recognition: If you are unsure, you can ask the provider to provide you with a letter of recognition or confirmation showing that the course is officially recognized as educational leave.
By taking these measures, you can ensure that the course you have chosen is actually recognized as educational leave and that you can claim your leave accordingly.
Realize your educational leave: planning and application process
The application process for educational leave requires careful planning and consultation with your employer.
Steps for applying for educational leave:
1. course selection: First select a training course that is recognized as educational leave by the relevant state authorities.
2. inform your employer: Inform your employer about your plans as early as possible, preferably in writing. Give them the details of the training, including the date and duration.
3. submitting the application: Submit the application for educational leave in good time in accordance with the requirements of your federal state. You often have to meet certain deadlines, usually between four and six weeks before the start of the measure.
4. proof of further training: After completing the further education measure, you usually have to submit a certificate of attendance to officially document the educational leave.
By planning this process carefully and involving your employer in good time, you can facilitate and maximize the approval of your educational leave.
Funding options for your educational leave
Educational leave can be financed in various ways, usually employees pay for it themselves. However, it is also possible to receive financial support from employers and government funding programs.
Options for employers to cover the costs:
- Full or partial coverage: many employers are willing to cover all or part of the costs of educational leave if the training is also of benefit to the company.
- Agreements and company agreements: In some companies, there are specific agreements or works agreements that regulate the assumption of further training costs. It is worth consulting the HR department or the works council to find out more about such possibilities.
Education vouchers and other funding:
- Education vouchers: in some federal states there is the offer of education vouchers, which serve as a subsidy for further vocational training. These are often income-dependent and are intended to make personal further training financially easier.
- Other state funding programs: Depending on the federal state and the type of further training, further funding such as premium vouchers or special funds may be available for certain professional groups.
Take care of funding early on! This can make planning and taking educational leave much easier.
Conclusion: broaden your horizons with educational leave
Educational leave is a valuable opportunity for personal and professional development - as an employee, you have a right to it! Don't miss out on this opportunity to find training opportunities that are tailored precisely to your needs.
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