Get funding for continuing education and career guidance with the "Education cheque" and "Perspectives in working life" programmes

Münsterland Regional Agency informs about support programmes for employees and small businesses

Changes are part of everyday working life for many employees and every new task brings new demands. To enable them to respond well, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia offers them financial support for continuing vocational training, the so-called "Bildungsscheck". This is complemented by the counselling service "Perspectives in Working Life", which offers professional counselling on career prospects and further training opportunities. The Münsterland Regional Agency at Münsterland e.V. is the point of contact and informs employees and companies about funding opportunities and other counselling centres in the region.

"Those who continue their education have better chances on the labour market and can also be deployed more flexibly in the company in times of a shortage of skilled workers. There is definitely a chance of career advancement," says Alexandra Poppenborg from the Münsterland Regional Agency at Münsterland e.V. The Bildungsscheck support programme is independent of whether it is about career advancement, embarking on a new direction or re-entering the labour market after a family or care break. "Both employees and companies with up to 50 employees can apply for the education cheque," explains Poppenborg.

For example, courses for further education in social or methodological areas, such as communication, leadership skills or moderation, as well as language and IT courses are funded. In addition, new vocational qualifications or post-qualification for the full recognition of vocational qualifications acquired abroad can be funded. Employees and companies receive a subsidy of 50 per cent of the costs of further training, the other part is borne by them. The maximum amount of funding, i.e. the reimbursement per Bildungsscheck NRW, is 500 euros. Within one calendar year, employees can claim one education cheque and companies up to ten education cheques for their employees.

A useful supplement for employees is the funding programme "Perspectives in Working Life". Those who are unsure about what their professional future holds or will hold can seek advice from professional counsellors. Together, interests, skills or wishes are discussed and employees receive information about the labour market, possible further training and financial support. Regardless of whether it is for a change, professional development or for re-entry: an individual roadmap for the realisation of professional goals helps. If the path to a new job is still unclear or the current job situation is no longer interesting enough, the counsellors provide precise support in realistically assessing skills and concretely planning the next steps. As part of the support programme, they also provide assistance with the recognition of vocational qualifications acquired abroad. Counselling in the form of up to nine hours per person is free of charge throughout NRW.

Information on counselling centres in Münsterland and the "Bildungscheck NRW" and "Perspektiven im Erwerbsleben" support programmes is available from the Münsterland Regional Agency or at www.weiterbildungsberatung.nrw.

Contact persons at the Münsterland Regional Agency

Alexandra Poppenborg: 02571 949317, poppenborg@muensterland.com
Charlotte Vennemann: 02571 949331, vennemann@muensterland.com

www.muensterland-arbeit.de