Unemployed in Germany – How to get a job in Graphic Design with your Bildungsgutschein
Unemployed in Germany? Learn how we can train you and secure a rewarding job in the creative industry. To assist individuals in returning to work, the Online School for Design (OfG) collaborates with the Agentur für Arbeit (or Jobcenter) as an accredited partner, providing further education in graphic design.
Qualified professionals in creative fields such as graphic design and digital marketing are currently in extremely high demand in Germany. To support individuals in re-entering the job market with well-paid positions, the Online School for Design (OfG) collaborates with the Agentur für Arbeit (or Jobcenter) as an accredited partner to train people from scratch in the most sought-after areas of the creative industry.
If you are unemployed or facing unemployment soon and are eligible for an educational voucher, you can have the program fully funded by the Jobcenter. The program lasts between 5 months (full-time) and 9 months (part-time) and is conducted via distance learning, meaning you can successfully complete the training from anywhere.
We boast an excellent success rate in placing our graduates into careers they love. Over 98% successfully pass the state-accredited course: Many OfG graduates are now working globally in business and industry, in advertising agencies, publishing houses, or independently in their own design studios. To learn more about the online course we offer in collaboration with the Jobcenter, please click on this link.
Develop your creative potential and boost your career with a distance learning course at the OfG!
Why choose the Online School for Design (OfG)?
- Learn on Your Terms: With OfG, you can study anywhere, anytime. This means you can fit your education around your life, not the other way around. It's the ultimate flexible learning experience tailored to busy lifestyles.
- Personal Support: Proud of the support we offer, each OfG student receives a dedicated tutor. This means you get the guidance and encouragement you need to stay motivated and on track, making real progress towards your career goals.
- Up-to-Date Learning: Our courses are crafted with the latest industry trends and technologies in mind, thanks to our close collaboration with experts. You'll engage in project-based learning, tackling real-world projects with feedback from tutors to sharpen your skills.
- Career-Focused: Our aim is to get you job-ready. From polishing your portfolio to perfecting your CV and job applications, our career specialists are here to support your journey to success.
At OfG, we make learning fit your life, not the other way around, preparing you for a thriving career in the creative industry.
How can I find out if I qualify for a Bildungsgutschein?
To qualify for a Bildungsgutschein, you must meet specific criteria. The final decision is made by the Agentur für Arbeit (Jobcenter), and it's crucial to understand that not everyone is guaranteed to receive this training voucher.
What requirements must you meet to qualify?
The eligibility for a Bildungsgutschein is assessed based on whether further training can significantly improve your employability. You might be eligible if:
- You are currently unemployed.
- You are at risk of becoming unemployed soon.
- You need further training to keep your current job.
Plus, you must live in Germany and have an official registration certificate (the document you get when you officially register your address).
Besides these official requirements, it's crucial to show the Jobcenter how a Bildungsgutschein and further training will boost your job prospects. If you're eyeing a program and a new career path (like Graphic Design), demonstrating the following can help:
- Job growth and demand in your area of interest.
A connection between your background and the field you're interested in. Graphic designers, for example, rely on various transferable skills, so highlight these! - The benefits of the program you've chosen and how it will aid in landing a job.
Ultimately, the Agentur für Arbeit aims to get people into work. When applying for a Bildungsgutschein, emphasize how it will improve your chances of employment, aligning your goals with those of the Jobcenter.
What requirements must you meet to qualify?
You must apply for an Bildungsgutschein (education voucher). If you are eligible, the program fee will be covered in full by the Agentur für Arbeit.
Your eligibility will be determined during an appointment at your local Jobcenter. As soon as you have received your education voucher, simply get in touch with us.
Why choose the Online School for Design (OfG)?
Who receives an Bildungsgutschein? How can I apply for an Bildungsgutschein? You can find answers to these and other important questions about Bildungsgutschein here:
In Germany, there is no legal entitlement to the issue of an Bildungsgutschein. Whether an Bildungsgutschein is granted is decided by the Agentur für Arbeit, the jobcenter or another competent authority at its own discretion.
You are entitled to an Bildungsgutschein under certain conditions: If you are unemployed or looking for work, if your job is insecure, or if you see no prospects on the job market after completing your training, you could qualify for an Bildungsgutschein.
The main aim of this support is to promote your recruitment into employment subject to social security contributions or to increase the security of your existing employment relationship. You must meet one of the following conditions:
- You are currently unemployed or looking for a job.
- Your job is at risk.
- Further training is necessary for your professional integration.
- Additional qualifications are required to keep your job.
The Bildungsgutschein is issued by the employment agency or job center. If you would like to apply for the costs of further vocational training to be covered, please contact your local employment agency or job center directly. They will provide you with all the necessary information and the application form for the Bildungsgutschein.
Step 1: Preparing for the consultation
Before you make an appointment for a consultation at your employment agency or job center, careful preparation is crucial. Prepare arguments that substantiate the necessity and added value of the desired further training for your professional development.
Answer the following questions in writing to clearly explain your situation:
- What is my current professional situation?
- What is the situation on the job market in my sector?
- How will the further training I am seeking and the skills I will acquire improve my chances on the job market?
- Support your argument with examples of relevant job advertisements that demonstrate the demand for the qualifications acquired through further training.
Step 2: Application
With your preparation behind you, announce your desire for further training and make an appointment with your case officer to apply for the Bildungsgutschein. Please bring the following documents with you to this appointment:
- Your further training offer (you can also forward this by e-mail)
- Job advertisements or other evidence that underlines the importance of further training for your professional future
- Proof of previous application activities, if applicable
- For employees: confirmation from your employer of the need for further training
Step 3: Receiving the Bildungsgutschein
Once the measure has been confirmed in the consultation, you submit the formal application for an Bildungsgutschein. If approved, you will receive this by post or digitally.
Send your education voucher to us in the form in which you received it (i.e. either by post or digitally). We will take care of everything else 🙂
After a successful examination, you can start your training on the date of your choice.
An Bildungsgutschein remains valid for three months from the date of issue. If you are unable to find a suitable training course within this period, you will need to contact your employment agency again to apply for a new training voucher to be issued.
The Bildungsgutschein is first issued by the responsible funding body, such as the employment agency or job center. It contains the details that were determined during the consultation. It is important that you check the voucher carefully upon receipt to ensure that it can be used for your planned further training or retraining.
Take particular care to ensure that the course duration and the course objective (also referred to as the measure) correspond exactly with your selected training measure to ensure that the costs are fully covered.
After submitting the voucher to us, we will add additional information, which will then be checked by the funding body.
You do not need to provide any further information on the Bildungsgutschein. Here is an overview of the essential information that is noted on the voucher:
To be entered by the Agentur für Arbeit:
- Name of the participant
- Aim of the training
- Maximum duration of the measure
- Form of instruction
- Period of validity
- Regional area of validity
- Name of the funding body
To be entered by the training provider:
- Start date of further training
- Duration of the training
- Measure number
- Course fees, including the cost of examinations
- Expenses for teaching materials
How often can I apply for Bildungsgutschein? It is possible to receive more than one Bildungsgutschein. There is no limit to the number of Bildungsgutscheine that can be issued by the Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter.
However, each application is checked individually to see whether the training or retraining course you are applying for meets the necessary requirements for an Bildungsgutschein.