Zum Entwurf eines Gesetzes zur Förderung der beruflichen Weiterbildung im Strukturwandel und zur Weiterentwicklung der Ausbildungsförderung

Abstract

"This IAB statement addresses the following issues of the draft law on promotion of further training in times of structural change and further development of the promotion of initial vocational training (Gesetzentwurf zur Förderung der beruflichen Weiterbildung im Strukturwandel und zur Weiterentwicklung der Ausbildungsförderung): further development of the regulations of the Qualification Opportunities Act (Qualifizierungschancengesetz), qualification in transfer companies, legal entitlement to subsidized training leading to a vocational degree, short-time work, promotion of vocational training (Assistierte Ausbildung), extension of the regulation on training bonuses, admission of and federal average cost rates for training measures as well as registration of jobseekers. Against the background of structural change, vocational training and further training are important to meet the changing demands on the qualification of workers. In addition to strengthening the promotion of initial vocational training, the draft law focuses on enhancing the promotion of further training in sectors and companies particularly affected by structural change. For this purpose, the draft law proposes, under certain conditions, an increase in training subsidies defined in the Qualification Opportunities Act, which seems to be reasonable. The draft law also enhances the possibilities to promote qualification within transfer companies, which enables all workers to complete more extensive and longer training courses, which may be particularly necessary for employees affected by structural change. Moreover, firms that qualify their employees during short-time work should receive short-time allowances for a longer period under facilitated conditions. Combining short-time work with qualification in principle makes sense if the reduction in working time is temporary and jobs are generally maintained. However, if further training is to be politically supported during a period of weak demand that is not only temporary, instead of short-time work allowances, an appropriate promotion of further training would be preferable. The draft law implements a legal entitlement for low-skilled workers to participate in training which leads to a vocational degree. The effects of this legal change are not clear a priori. The planned changes in the admission of training measures and the planned increase of federal average cost rates for these measures are appropriate. Also the proposed combination of two measures promoting vocational training (“Assistierte Ausbildung” and “ausbildungsbegleitende Hilfen”) seems reasonable. Finally, the draft law stipulates that the first meeting of a job seeker and a caseworker should take place immediately after the registration as job seeking. From a research perspective, more flexibility in scheduling the meetings would be preferable." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

Dietrich, H., Kruppe, T., Lang, J., Oberfichtner, M., Stephan, G. & Weber, E. (2020): Zum Entwurf eines Gesetzes zur Förderung der beruflichen Weiterbildung im Strukturwandel und zur Weiterentwicklung der Ausbildungsförderung. Stellungnahme des IAB zur Verbändeanhörung des Bundesministeriums für Arbeit und Soziales zum 27.2.2020. (IAB-Stellungnahme 01/2020), Nürnberg, 21 p.