German Armed Forces Vocational Advancement Service Der Berufsförderungsdienst der Bundeswehr GERMAN ARMED FORCES VOCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT SERVICE 3
The Vocational Advancement Service advice and help to soldiers regarding careers, qualifications, financial The Vocational Advancement matters, and the transition to civilian Service (Berufsförderungsdienst) employment. Wherever possible, the was established in 1960 after the advisory teams are located close to Military Pensions Act (Soldaten military units and often within the versorgungsgesetz) was amended barracks themselves. to entitle soldiers to vocational advancement. Today it offers modern The main target group of the Vocational and customer-focussed services to Advancement Service is temporary- ensure that soldiers have a smooth, career volunteers (TCV), who have flexible, and individual transition to enlisted for terms of 4 to 25 years. It also new employment after completing their provides assistance to a smaller number military service. of military service volunteers, flying officers with a special retirement age With its approximately 263,000 military (41 years) and, in a few individual cases, and civilian personnel, the Bundeswehr career service members. is currently one of Germany‘s largest employers. Of the approximately The Vocational Advancement Service 177,000 soldiers, the vast majority have starts to provide support soon after chosen to serve for a limited period and soldier’s recruitment, throughout will embark on a civilian career when their military service and, if required, their term of enlistment is over. continues to lend assistance for up to seven years after they have completed As the armed forces must fill a large military service. In this way, it continues number of positions every year, the to be a point of contact for many years Bundeswehr seeks to offer potential regarding issues of career choice and applicants an attractive compensation advancement. and benefits package. This includes appropriate pay, a challenging job, and The goal of the Vocational Advancement the opportunity to acquire vocational Service is to prepare soldiers in the best and educational qualifications. possible way for the transition to civilian employment after they have completed The Vocational Advancement Service their military service and to help them offers a wide range of services to to develop their professional careers. help personnel transition to civilian To achieve this goal, it helps prepare a employment. It has some 900 personalised vocational advancement people working in several regional plan that presents career goals and the organisational units with more than 80 steps necessary to accomplish them. advisory teams. Together, they provide 4 GERMAN ARMED FORCES VOCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT SERVICE GERMAN ARMED FORCES VOCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT SERVICE 5
The information, personalised advisory Ensuing sessions will be used to Recognition of completed Educational and vocational training services, and qualification measures concretise and update vocational examinations offered by the Vocational Advancement considerations and prospects and As the end of military service Service are comprehensive and have to determine the need for further The educational options offered by approaches, service members ought steadily grown in recent years. They are education and the necessity of the Vocational Advancement Service to fully concentrate on preparing for continuously adapted and enhanced to educational and transitional measures. enable a large number of soldiers to this transition. The length of the period meet labour market demands. A successful transition to civilian take examinations recognised in the for which they will receive support working life is guaranteed by a regular civilian market before their military depends on their term of enlistment. The Vocational Advancement Service exchange between soldiers and the service ends. If service members For all current service members, is also involved in military vocational Vocational Advancement Service about have acquired skills and knowledge vocational advancement assistance training that is recognised in the new developments and any changes in military assignments which justify begins immediately after they leave civilian market and in the vocational in the goals of soldiers. Long-term admission to final examinations for military service. rehabilitation of wounded, injured and personalised support and flexible recognised occupations, the Vocational sick soldiers. adaptation to changing private or Advancement Service can issue Entitlement to educational and vocational factors are key features of certificates for them in accordance vocational measures also depends Advising service members the Vocational Advancement Service. with the Vocational Training Act on training received during military (Berufsbildungsgesetz) or the Trade and service. This entitlement is reduced For the Vocational Advancement Support for educational and Crafts Code (Handwerksordnung). if a service member has gained Service to succeed in its mission, it transitional measures during active qualifications as part of military must provide service members with service specialist training, for example comprehensive advice at an early stage about choosing an occupation, It is important for service members to • if he or she has passed a final opportunities for educational and maintain or build on the educational examination for a recognised vocational qualification, and the and vocational skills and knowledge apprenticeship, transition to the civilian labour market. they acquired before joining the • if he or she has undergone master Bundeswehr. The Vocational craftsman training or Advice and guidance must be based Advancement Service therefore offers • if he or she has studied at a first of all on a joint clarification them the opportunity to participate university. of the soldier‘s career goals and in educational measures during their an assessment of the chances and term of service in order to update and possibilities of reaching these goals improve their skills and knowledge and in the job market. The first advisory to adapt them to current developments session involves a discussion of and requirements. The foundations for personal concerns, the chances and pursuing a new career path can also be possibility of achieving career goals, laid. and steps to be taken. 6 GERMAN ARMED FORCES VOCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT SERVICE GERMAN ARMED FORCES VOCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT SERVICE 7
Overview of entitlements In addition to refreshing the knowledge certifi cate, learn a vocation, retrain they acquired at school, service in another occupation, or progress or Duration and Duration of Cost ceiling Duration of Transitional members have the opportunity specialise in the vocation they have type of military entitlement transitional payment is to acquire a higher schoolleaving already learnt. service payments x times the last month’s pay TCV 4 < 5 12 months € 5,000 12 months .4 times 1. School education at Bundeswehr TCV 5 < 6 18 months € 7,000 18 months 4.5 times schools of general vocational TCV 6 < 7 24 months € 9,000 24 months .5 times education TCV 7 < 8 30 months € 11,000 30 months 5.5 times TCV 8 < 9 36 months € 13,000 36 months .6 times Generally school education is TCV 9 < 10 42 months € 15,000 42 months 6.5 times provided at one of the ten Hamburg TCV 10 < 11 48 months € 17,000 48 months .7 times Bundeswehr schools of TCV 11 < 12 54 months € 19,000 54 months 7.5 times general vocational education. TCV 12+ 60 months € 21,000 60 months .8 to 12 times* Berlin These schools provide Offi cers with 12 months € 5,000 12 months depending on Hannover effective adult education university studies service period* < 12 ** in homogenous groups Offi cers with 24 months € 9,000 24 months depending on organised according university studies service period* to the age, status and Naumburg 12+ ** personal history of Köln Kassel Offi cers without 7 to 36 months depending on 7 to 36 months depending on participants. In this university studies depending on service period depending on service period* way, they are able 4+ *** service period service period to offer soldiers the BO 41 fl ying 36 months € 13,000 retirement pay retirement pay best opportunities for Koblenz offi cers without acquiring schoolleaving Würzburg university studies **** certifi cates (intermediate BO 41 fl ying 24 months € 9,000 retirement pay retirement pay schoolleaving certifi cate offi cers with or entry qualifi cation Karlsruhe university studies for technical colleges) that **** will give them access to higher München Support periods and amounts may decrease or be inapplicable due to statutory regulations or as vocational qualifi cations. Some a result of special service status periods pursuant to the Act on the Continued Employment of Bundeswehr schools of general Personnel Injured on Operations (Einsatzweiterverwendungsgesetz). vocational education offer * Temporarycareer volunteers (TCV) 12 receive the 8fold amount, temporarycareer volunteers 20 and vocational courses (e.g. pre more the 12fold amount (in between, the 0.5fold amount more per year) school teacher training). ** Temporarycareer volunteers (TCV) in offi cer careers who have acquired a university degree funded by the German government ** Offi cers who were recruited with a required university degree and NCOs of the military music service **** fl ying offi cers with a special retirement age 41 years (fi ghter jet crews) 8 GERMAN ARMED FORCES VOCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT SERVICE GERMAN ARMED FORCES VOCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT SERVICE 9
2. Vocational training Cooperation between Bundeswehr Bundeswehr internal labour market public service jobs that are reserved for and business sector service leavers. The certificates allow Vocational training is provided at The Bundeswehr internal labour service leavers to find employment public and private education and Through intensive networking, the market was created in 2014 to help in the public service at federal, state training establishments. Together Vocational Advancement Service is service members change their status and municipal levels. Applicants must with the Vocational Advancement continually expanding its contacts with group within the Bundeswehr and meet certain legal requirements and Service, service members decide what employers from the private sector, the thus improve the internal personnel successfully complete an aptitude vocational training measures they public service, and trade and employer situation. assessment procedure. wish to attend and which provider associations with the aim of effectively Well-trained and qualified temporary- is most suitable. The objective of supporting the transition of soldiers to career volunteers, for example, are Job and educational fairs vocational advancement is always to civilian working life. Nationwide, the offered attractive civilian positions enable service members to find gainful Vocational Advancement Service has in the Bundeswehr after they have Experience has shown that personal employment after discharge. numerous cooperation agreements completed their period of service. contact with potential employers with chambers of commerce and is often the key to finding a job. Transition to civilian working life – industry, private and public institutions, Specialists in the Vocational For this purpose, the Vocational Job Service and companies. Advancement Service inform and Advancement Service organises job advise soldiers about civilian career and educational fairs throughout During and after their period of It cooperates with the Federal opportunities available in the Germany. In addition to general fairs, service, soldiers achieve recognised Employment Agency to facilitate Bundeswehr. there are also events dedicated to qualifications in civilian vocations the transition of temporary-career special vocational sectors or to officers, with the help of the Vocational volunteers leaving the armed forces. Transition to public service non-commissioned officers, or junior Advancement Service. They become The goal is to optimise the use of the enlisted personnel. Representatives of experts who are much in demand placement and advisory skills of the Temporary-career volunteers with a chambers, associations and educational among employers. The Vocational Vocational Advancement Service and term of enlistment of at least twelve institutions are also invited in order Advancement Service also helps service the Federal Employment Agency. years can receive what is known as a to bring together the educational and members find specific jobs. The Job certificate of integration or admission. labour markets under one roof. Service of the Vocational Advancement Cooperation differs from region to With this certificate, they can apply for Service helps applicants find suitable region, but it is always aimed at the jobs and helps companies find suitable optimal and long-term integration of applicants, both on a nation-wide basis. soldiers into the labour market. The Job Service is always available to companies as a professional point of contact in all matters relating to job placement and the integration of service leavers. 10 GERMAN ARMED FORCES VOCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT SERVICE GERMAN ARMED FORCES VOCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT SERVICE 11
Additional assistance Results Integration according to vocational such training helps service leavers sectors in 2016: to successfully transition to civilian • Internships: As a vocational Against the backdrop of an ever- working life. 12.00% commercial and/or orientation measure, temporary- changing labour market, the success of administrative sector career volunteers may be released the Vocational Advancement Service The education and labour market from duty to take part in an must be documented with reliable 9.28% technical sector is continuously studied in order to internship lasting up to one month. figures and the already high quality of 8.43% logistics identify innovations, changes, and Such internships give soldiers an advisory and placement services must particularly attractive jobs and to 7.10% protection, safety, security and opportunity to familiarise themselves be optimised. integrate these findings into training surveillance with workplace practices and to that is recognised in the civilian market. establish initial contacts with Vocational advancement is successful 6.51% business management and employers. when service leavers successfully gain a organisation After successfully analysing the • Reimbursement of costs: On foothold in civilian working life. 6.32% purchasing, sales and trade market and searching for suitable request, the Vocational Advancement educational institutions, the Vocational Service can reimburse the costs Surveys conducted in 2016 showed that 5.34% metal working and processing Advancement Service concludes any of travelling to job interviews, well over 90 percent of service leavers 5.24% accounting and data processing necessary contracts and supports of relocating to a new place of were successfully integrated into the training measures in close cooperation 5.09% health care residence, and of transcribing civilian labour market. Of these, almost with the military agencies responsible military authorisations into civilian all of them found a new job within the 4.85% law and administration for course participants. licenses. first six months. • Payment of a familiarisation Military training recognised in the Vocational rehabilitation subsidy: If former temporary- Qualification and integration into the civilian market career volunteers have to first be civilian labour market are only possible, Soldiers who – as a result of injury or familiarised with their new job however, if soldiers use the assistance In certain assignments, sergeants illness during their period of service before they can begin work, the of the Vocational Advancement acquire vocational qualifications that – are unable to pursue the civilian Vocational Advancement Service can Service in good time and pursue their are recognised in the civilian market as occupation they used to practise pay a familiarisation subsidy to new vocational goals with a high level of part of their military specialist training. receive special support from the employers. In this way, employers initiative and determination. The purpose of these qualifications is Vocational Advancement Service until receive financial compensation for to improve the mission performance they leave the military, regardless of the time in which service leavers are and effectiveness of soldiers in their their status. working to eliminate any deficits duties. Vocational training recognised they may have and to reach their full in the civilian market helps to make vocational potential. service in the armed forces more attractive. In combination with vocational advancement measures, 12 GERMAN ARMED FORCES VOCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT SERVICE GERMAN ARMED FORCES VOCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT SERVICE 13
The Vocational Advancement Service Additional information: Financial In addition, temporary-career In accordance with Section 53 of the prepares the necessary adaptation, benefits volunteers with a term of enlistment Military Pensions Act, income from an retraining and integration measures of at least four years also receive assignment in the public service affects while such soldiers are still members Temporary-career volunteers who transitional allowances at the end of transitional allowances. of the Bundeswehr, and it ensures that have reached the end of their period their period of service. This allowance the measures can begin promptly, if the of service can receive a one-off is 75% of the pay received in their If and for as long as a recipient of a healing process allows it. transitional payment as well as last month of service. The amount of transitional allowance is taking part transitional allowances for a certain time for which the allowance is paid in a supported full-time educational The Vocational Advancement number of months (see the table on is based on their term of service and measure, transitional allowances will Service and the responsible statutory page 6). ranges from 12 months after four be 100% of the pay received in the last rehabilitation provider coordinate years of service to 60 months after 12 month. rehabilitation measures for the time The transitional payment is paid at the years of service or more. The amount when such soldiers have left the end of the term of duty to soldiers who of time for which the allowance is After completing their term of Bundeswehr. have served for more than six months. paid is shorter for temporary-career enlistment, holders of a certificate It is based on the pay received in the volunteers who are officers who have of integration receive – instead of Costs of vocational advancement final month of service. It is 1.5 times acquired a university degree funded transitional allowances – financial this amount if the period of service was by the German government or who compensation for the duration of ten In 2016 the Vocational Advancement less than 18 months, and up to 12 times were hired with a university degree as years which amounts to the difference Service spent some €126 million on this amount if the period of service stipulated in the career regulations and between their former pay and their new vocational advancement measures for was 20 years or more. A certificate of for NCOs of the Military Music Service. pay. service members. This sum reflects the integration or admission decreases the importance of vocational advancement amount of transitional payment that is for the German government and the subject to taxation. great responsibility of the Vocational Advancement Service. Impressum
Herausgeber Bundesministerium der Verteidigung Referat P I 7 Fontainengraben 150
Stand März 2018
Satz/ Gestaltung/ Druck Bundesamt für Infrastruktur, Umweltschutz und Dienstleistungen der Bundeswehr Referat DL I 4, Zentraldruckerei BAIUDBw Fontainengraben 200 53123 Bonn
Brochures of the Vocational Advancement Service are available as PDF files at: www.bfd.bundeswehr.de