Weiterbildung via Erasmus+ for professionals: short-term international training opportunities

Weiterbildung via Erasmus+ for professionals: short-term international training opportunities

What is Erasmus+ for professionals?
Erasmus+ is not limited to students; it also includes professionals, trainers, and people with labor-market experience. The program provides fully funded opportunities to develop skills and gain practical experience in other European countries through short-term training or professional exchanges.

Core objectives

• Strengthen professional skills (hard + soft skills)

• Support lifelong learning

• Encourage exchange of experience and good practices across countries

• Support digitalization, sustainability, and equality in the European work environment

What types of activities are available?

Duration and costs

Who can apply?
People working in:

• Vocational schools (Berufsschule)

• Companies participating in Ausbildung programs

• Weiterbildung institutions

• Adult education centers (Volkshochschule, etc.)

Including:

• Trainers and teachers

• HR staff

• Career counselors

• Employees in small and medium-sized enterprises

How can you apply?

• Contact your institution (employer or training provider)
  The institution must be registered within an Erasmus+ project or be a partner of a registered institution.

• Prepare a training plan
  Define objectives and the skills to be developed.

• Agree with a host institution in a European country

• Submit the application to the national agency (e.g., Nationale Agentur Bildung für Europa beim BIBB)

Note: Individuals usually cannot apply directly; applications typically go through an employer or training institution.

Real example
A staff member at a vocational training center in Hamburg traveled to Finland for 10 days to learn a new training methodology in renewable energy—fully funded by Erasmus+. She then applied what she learned in Ausbildung programs in Germany.

Professional benefits

• Building an international network

• Improving English or the host country’s language

• Personal development and exposure to different education systems

• Enhancing the CV

Tips

• Choose a field that directly supports your career path

• Prepare a clear learning plan: What will you learn, and how will you share it with colleagues?

• Make sure the host organization is accredited and provides reliable training content

• After returning, share the experience within your institution (e.g., through a workshop)