In Germany, three key concepts shape career development: Fortbildung, Weiterbildung, and Umschulung. While the Arabic translation may sound similar (all meaning “professional training/qualification”), each term refers to a distinct type of professional development with a specific purpose.
Here is a comprehensive comparison to understand the differences and which option fits you best:
1) Fortbildung – additional qualification in the same field
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Goal | Improve your current skills in the same profession |
| Content | Update, deepen, or expand knowledge |
| Who it’s for | People already working who want to improve competence |
| Duration | Usually short (from a day to weeks or months) |
| Certificate | A certificate or a qualification such as Meister/Fachwirt |
| Examples | Accountant learning new tax law – nurse taking advanced first-aid training |
It fits you if you are currently employed and want better opportunities or promotion without changing your profession.
2) Weiterbildung – general or specialized additional learning
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Goal | Broaden your knowledge—within your field or another one |
| Content | Can include Fortbildung, Umschulung, digital courses, soft skills, languages, etc. |
| Who it’s for | Open to unemployed people, employees, beginners, and older learners |
| Duration | From a few hours to years (depending on the type) |
| Certificate | Varies—often a provider-issued certificate |
| Examples | Project management course, Excel, vocational German, presentation training |
It fits you if you want to develop skills or explore a new area, but without a full career change.
3) Umschulung – retraining for a completely new profession
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Goal | Learn a completely new profession and obtain an official qualification |
| Content | Comparable to an apprenticeship (Ausbildung) in structure and curriculum |
| Who it’s for | Unemployed people or those unable to continue in their original profession |
| Duration | Usually 2–3 years, sometimes 1 year for adults |
| Certificate | An official qualification via IHK, HWK, or a recognized body |
| Examples | Construction worker → nurse – cook → office administration |
It fits you if you want to change your profession completely—due to limited opportunities, health reasons, or personal choice.
Quick comparison
| Criteria | Fortbildung | Weiterbildung | Umschulung |
|---|---|---|---|
| Career change? | No | Maybe | Yes |
| Paid by employer? | Often | Sometimes | Often state-funded |
| Duration | Short | Varies | Long |
| Goal | Strengthen skills | General development | New qualification |
| Funding | Employer, IHK, BAMF | Employment agency, BAMF, employer | Arbeitsagentur (often fully) |
Which one fits you?
| Your situation | Best option |
|---|---|
| Employed and want promotion/new skills | Fortbildung |
| Unemployed and want better job-market chances | Weiterbildung |
| Want to change career completely | Umschulung |
| Foreign professional needing German for work | Weiterbildung (DaZ/Berufssprachkurs) |
| Company wants to develop a team | Fortbildung or Weiterbildung with funding under §82 SGB III |
The editorial team of the website strives to provide accurate information through extensive research and reviewing multiple sources. However, errors may occur or some details may be unconfirmed. Please treat this as initial guidance and consult the competent authorities for confirmed information.
