- 2015Implementation
- 2016Implementation
- 2017Implementation
- 2018Implementation
- 2019Implementation
- 2020Implementation
- 2021Implementation
- 2022Implementation
Background
Lifelong learning and vocational training are becoming increasingly important due to the comprehensive structural change and demographic development. In addition, skilled workers are increasingly in demand, while the demand for unskilled jobs is declining. The post-qualification of young adults without a vocational qualification is an important lever to secure the demand for skilled workers.
Objectives
The initiative Future starters (Zukunftsstarter) targets young people between 25 and 35 years old without initial vocational training and aims to attract 120 000 young adults to IVET between 2016 and 2020.
Description
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) and the Federal Employment Agency (BA) joint initiative to provide initial vocational training for young adults Training will be something - late starters wanted (AusBILDUNG wird was - Spätstarter gesucht) started in 2013 and was initially scheduled for 3 years, before being further developed and continued as Future Starters (Zukunftsstarter) from August 2016 to 2020. The programme has been extended until 2025. Based on the expanded funding and support options offered by the law to strengthen vocational training and employment insurance coverage (AWStG), it will recruit into qualifying vocational training 120 000 participants in the age group from 25 to under 35 who are eligible for support under the German Social Code (SGB II and SGB III). This initiative offers support not only to the unemployed but also to employees who do not yet have a vocational qualification. Young adults with disabilities and refugees can also profit from this initiative. Funding is available for full- or part-time training that prepare for a recognised vocational qualification. This can take the form of (re)training with a provider or individual in-company (re)training, a preparatory course for the so-called 'external examination' or further training with a certified partial qualification. Some of the young adults also take up unsubsidised vocational training after the...
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) and the Federal Employment Agency (BA) joint initiative to provide initial vocational training for young adults Training will be something - late starters wanted (AusBILDUNG wird was - Spätstarter gesucht) started in 2013 and was initially scheduled for 3 years, before being further developed and continued as Future Starters (Zukunftsstarter) from August 2016 to 2020. The programme has been extended until 2025. Based on the expanded funding and support options offered by the law to strengthen vocational training and employment insurance coverage (AWStG), it will recruit into qualifying vocational training 120 000 participants in the age group from 25 to under 35 who are eligible for support under the German Social Code (SGB II and SGB III). This initiative offers support not only to the unemployed but also to employees who do not yet have a vocational qualification. Young adults with disabilities and refugees can also profit from this initiative. Funding is available for full- or part-time training that prepare for a recognised vocational qualification. This can take the form of (re)training with a provider or individual in-company (re)training, a preparatory course for the so-called 'external examination' or further training with a certified partial qualification. Some of the young adults also take up unsubsidised vocational training after the counselling.
In 2019, around 38 000 young adults (14 000 women and 24 000 men) started training under the initiative, either in the form of a funded or an unfunded training measure.
According to a BMAS report from January 2021, the initiative's target of attracting at least 120 000 young adults by the end of 2020 has already been exceeded: by July 2020 it reached 150 000 entries. This is also due to the fact that entries have increased significantly since January 2019 and part of the target group has been motivated for initial in-company training. Migrants and refugees were also able to benefit from the initiative (share of almost 25%). The success rates were generally positive. There is still potential for improvement in the area of individual in-company retraining in contrast to (re)training by a VET provider in a recognised VET qualification. The areas of support with a focus on care for the elderly, driving, office work, and transport and logistics correspond quite well to labour market needs. There is still potential for development in the occupational group of IT and other ICT occupations.
In 2021, the Future Starters programme continued. Further, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS), the Federal Employment Agency (BA) and the Administrative Council of the BA have agreed to continue their commitment to initial and continuing training for young adults on an increased scale. The Future Starters initiative will continue from January 2022 until the end of 2025. During this period, for example, the share of retraining in companies is to be increased. Particular attention will be paid to severely disabled people, rehabilitated individuals and refugees.
The Future Starters initiative will continue from January 2022 until the end of 2025.
Bodies responsible
- Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS)
- Federal Employment Agency (BA)
Target groups
Learners
- Young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs)
- Learners with migrant background, including refugees
- Learners with disabilities
Thematic categories
Supporting lifelong learning culture and increasing participation
Lifelong learning refers to all learning (formal, non-formal or informal) taking place at all stages in life and resulting in an improvement or update in knowledge, skills, competences and attitudes or in participation in society from a personal, civic, cultural, social or employment-related perspective (Erasmus+, Glossary of terms, https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/programme-guide/part-d/glossary-common-terms). A systemic approach to CVET is crucial to ensure adaptability to evolving demands.
This broad thematic category looks at ways of creating opportunities and ensuring access to re-skilling and upskilling pathways, allowing individuals to progress smoothly in their learning throughout their lives with better permeability between general and vocational education and training, and better integration and compatibility between initial and continuing VET and with higher education. Individuals should be supported in acquiring and updating their skills and competences and navigating easily through education and training systems. Strategies and campaigns that promote VET and LLL as an attractive and high-quality pathway, providing quality lifelong guidance and tailored support to design learning and career paths, and various incentives (financial and non-financial) to attract and support participation in VET and LLL fall into this thematic category as well.
This thematic category also includes many initiatives on making VET inclusive and ensuring equal education and training opportunities for various groups of learners, regardless of their personal and economic background and place of residence – especially those at risk of disadvantage or exclusion, such as persons with disabilities, the low-skilled and low-qualified, minorities, migrants, refugees and others.
This thematic sub-category refers to all kinds of incentives that encourage learners to take part in VET and lifelong learning; VET providers to improve, broaden and update their offer; companies to provide places for apprenticeship and work-based learning, and to stimulate and support learning of their employees. It also includes measures addressing specific challenges of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) willing to create work-based learning opportunities in different sectors. Incentives can be financial (e.g. grants, allowances, tax incentives, levy/grant mechanisms, vouchers, training credits, individual learning accounts) and non-financial (e.g. information/advice on funding opportunities, technical support, mentoring).
This thematic sub-category refers to providing the possibility for individuals who are already in the labour market/in employment to reskill and/or acquire higher levels of skills, and to ensuring targeted information resources on the benefits of CVET and lifelong learning. It also covers the availability of CVET programmes adaptable to labour market, sectoral or individual up- and reskilling needs. The sub-category includes working with respective stakeholders to develop digital learning solutions supporting access to CVET opportunities and awarding CVET credentials and certificates.
This thematic sub-category refers to providing high-quality lifelong learning and career guidance services, including making full use of Europass and other digital services and resources.
This thematic sub-category refers to making VET pathways and programmes inclusive and accessible for all. It concerns measures and targeted actions to increase access and participation in VET and lifelong learning for learners from all vulnerable groups, and to support their school/training-to-work transitions. It includes measures to prevent early leaving from education and training. The thematic sub-category covers measures promoting gender balance in traditionally ‘male’ and ‘female’ professions and addressing gender-related and other stereotypes. The vulnerable groups are, but not limited to: persons with disabilities; the low-qualified/-skilled; minorities; persons of migrant background, including refugees; people with fewer opportunities due to their geographical location and/or their socioeconomically disadvantaged circumstances.