Purpose
The Upgrading Training Assistance Act (AFBG) is the counterpart to the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG) for advancement in vocational training. It takes account of the fact that those who have received vocational prequalification support are generally already "in the middle of life", in particular by means of supplements depending on their family situation, a higher asset exemption and support without an age limit. In addition, it provides financial support for the costs of the measures (course and examination fees) and equally supports upgrading training courses on a full-time and part-time basis.
Object
Funding is provided for full- and part-time advanced training courses run by public and private institutions that prepare participants for public examinations under the Vocational Training Act (Berufsbildungsgesetz), the Crafts Code (Handwerksordnung) or for equivalent qualifications under federal or state law. Participation in full-time measures is generally funded for up to 24 calendar months, and in part-time measures for up to 48 calendar months (maximum funding period).
Under the AFBG, funding is provided for participation in further training measures run by public or private institutions which are aimed in a specific technical direction at obtaining further training qualifications under public law on the basis of Sections 53 to 53d and 54 of the Vocational Training Act (Berufsbildungsgesetz) or Sections 42 to 42d, 42f, 45, 51a of the Crafts Code (Handwerksordnung), e.g. Geprüfte/r Berufsspezialist/in, Bachelor Professional, Master Professional. Bankfachwirt(in), Industrie- oder Handwerksmeister(in), Techniker(in), or for an equivalent qualification according to federal or state regulations, for further training according to the further training guidelines of the German Hospital Association or for further training based on state-approved examination regulations at recognized supplementary schools.
In addition, funding is tied to certain time and quality requirements:
- The measure must comprise at least 400 hours of instruction (minimum duration).
- In the case of full-time measures, as a rule at least 25 teaching hours per week must take place on 4 working days (full-time continuing education density). Full-time continuing education courses must not last longer than three years in total (maximum full-time time frame).
- Part-time measures must include an average of at least 18 instructional hours per month (part-time continuing education density). Part-time measures may not last longer than four years in total (maximum part-time time frame).
- Measures deviating from this are,
- The part-time courses must prepare participants for the German Crafts and Trades Code (Handwerksordnung) and for equivalent further training qualifications if they comprise at least 200 teaching hours and are completed within 36 calendar months.
- Distance learning courses can be funded as part-time measures if they meet the general funding requirements of the AFBG and also comply with the requirements of the Distance Learning Protection Act.
- Under certain conditions
- certain conditions, measures which are partly carried out with the use of electronic media and which are not subject to approval as distance learning according to the Distance Learning Protection Act ( § 4a AFBG ), if they are supplemented by physical and virtual face-to-face teaching or by binding media-based communication comparable to this and if regular performance reviews are carried out.
Type and amount
A contribution is made to the costs of the course (measure contribution) and a contribution is made to cover subsistence needs (maintenance contribution). The measure contribution includes course and examination fees (excluding material costs) up to 15,000 euros. The funding of the measure contribution is provided in the amount of 50% as a grant. Funding for the maintenance contribution is provided in the form of a 100% grant.
Participants in full-time measures receive a maintenance contribution based on income and assets, plus 150 euros per child up to the age of 14 as a grant for single parents, and a bank loan for children up to the age of 14.