Questions and answers
What you want to know.
The most common questions about retraining, answered honestly. Your question is not here? Call us or come to a consultation.
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The five big questions
Money
What does retraining cost me?With an education voucher, nothing: the employment agency covers the course fees.
With an education voucher, nothing: the employment agency covers the course fees. Whether you get a voucher is decided by the employment agency.
Travel and childcare costs can also be covered. Everything about it is on the Funding page.
What do I live on during retraining?Your unemployment benefit or basic income support usually continues.
Your unemployment benefit or basic income support usually continues. How much it is depends on your situation.
On top come €150 training allowance every month and bonuses for passed exams: €1,000 for part 1 of the exam, €1,500 for the final exam. Over the whole retraining that is up to €6,700 for electronics technicians and up to €6,100 for industrial mechanics. How the money adds up.
Do I get the €150 on top?Yes. The further training allowance comes on top of your unemployment benefit or basic income support.
Yes. The further training allowance comes on top of your unemployment benefit or basic income support. You receive it every month of your retraining, including holidays and the work placement.
Requirement: the employment agency funds your retraining, and you belong to the group of people named in the law. The employment agency checks this before you start.
Will my unemployment benefit last for the whole retraining?That depends on your entitlement. During retraining it is used up only half as fast: for every two days of retraining, one day is deducted.
That depends on your entitlement. During retraining it is used up only half as fast: for every two days of retraining, one day is deducted.
If your entitlement does not last until the end, basic income support may be an option afterwards. Ask the employment agency how long your entitlement lasts.
I am still working. Is that possible?Yes, employees can also be funded. Talk to your employer first.
Yes, employees can also be funded. Talk to your employer first. The employer service of the employment agency then checks with the company what can be funded and which share the company pays.
Further training allowance is only paid if you are unemployed or receive basic income support. The bonuses apply to you too.
Employer service: 0800 4 5555 20, free of charge.
Requirements
Do I need a school certificate?No. You do not need a school certificate or reports for the retraining.
No. You do not need a school certificate or reports for the retraining. Our aptitude test at the consultation shows whether the occupation suits you.
Do I have to take a test?Yes, everyone takes a short aptitude test with us.
Yes, everyone takes a short aptitude test with us. It is part of the free consultation.
Often, but not always, the employment agency (Agentur für Arbeit) also invites you to its Occupational Psychology Service. Whether that is necessary is decided by your adviser at the employment agency or the job centre.
More details
They will also tell you whether the appointment is mandatory for you. The appointment at the agency takes several hours: first a conversation, then usually tasks on a computer, such as arithmetic, logical thinking and spatial reasoning. At the end, the results are discussed with you.
You don’t need to study for it. The employment agency offers free sample tasks (in German). Don’t buy test training: according to the agency, the free samples are enough.
Can’t make an appointment? Let them know straight away.
Already have a recent assessment, for example from the job centre? The agency can use it if you agree.
Is there a minimum age?Not by law. In practice, though, the employment agency (Agentur für Arbeit) usually funds retraining from age 25.
Not by law. In practice, though, the employment agency (Agentur für Arbeit) usually funds retraining from age 25.
Younger than 25? Talk to us anyway. We’ll look at your options together and help you prepare for the meeting at the agency.
More details
The reason: if you are younger and have no vocational qualification yet, you are expected to do an apprenticeship with a company first. Companies are looking for apprentices. If you have worked for less than three years, the law explicitly gives an apprenticeship priority.
Exceptions are possible but rare. For example, if an apprenticeship isn’t workable for you for personal reasons, such as caring for a family, or if you have applied for apprenticeships many times without success. Your adviser at the employment agency decides.
I have a health condition. Can I still retrain?It depends on the condition. But you can find out beforehand, without pressure.
It depends on the condition. But you can find out beforehand, without pressure.
At your consultation, we’ll tell you exactly what the workshop, the work placement and the exam involve physically. You don’t need to tell us your diagnosis.
If you like, we’ll put these requirements in writing, for example for your employment agency or job centre. And you can sit in with us for a day or two beforehand.
For more time to try things out, there is the preparatory course: six weeks of basic maths, metalwork and electrical engineering.
More details
Funding is decided by the employment agency, even if you receive basic income support from the job centre. If you wish, you can get the decision in writing.
You can ask whether a medical assessment is possible. The employment agency decides whether it is needed. A recent medical report can help in that conversation.
Is your health itself the reason for the retraining? Then vocational rehabilitation may also be an option. You can apply informally, even verbally, at the employment agency or the German pension insurance. If they are not responsible, they pass it on.
If you tell us about your condition, we take it into account when choosing your work placement. With a disability, even without a severe disability card, we help you apply for exam adjustments, for example more time. The chamber responsible for the exam decides.
We teach in regular classes. If it turns out that you need more support than is possible there, there are specialised vocational rehabilitation centres (Berufsförderungswerke). Whether this is needed is decided by the employment agency or the German pension insurance.
EUTB, an independent counselling service, offers free advice to people with a disability or at risk of one, and to their families.
Examples of electronics work away from building sites are on our page for advisers.
Is my maths and German good enough?We find out together. The aptitude test shows where you stand.
We find out together. The aptitude test shows where you stand.
If you want to refresh the basics, you can take the preparatory course first: six weeks of technical maths, metal, electrical and job-related German.
How good does my German need to be?Lessons and all exams are in German, both at BFI and at the chamber.
Lessons and all exams are in German, both at BFI and at the chamber. German at B2 level is recommended but not required, and you do not need a language certificate: we find out together in a conversation and the aptitude test whether your German is good enough.
During the retraining there is free German tutoring here at BFI. Teachers from the Study Up language school practise technical language and exam questions with you, always from 15:30 to 17:00: Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the electrical classes, Tuesday and Thursday for the industrial mechanics. BFI covers the cost.
Do I have to take the preparatory course?No. It is an offer to prepare.
No. It is an offer to prepare. We discuss at the consultation whether it makes sense for you.
Process
How does the consultation work?The appointment takes about 60 minutes and is free.
The appointment takes about 60 minutes and is free. We talk about your goals, you take a short aptitude test and see our workshops. You do not need to bring anything.
Who decides on funding?The employment agency. It issues the education voucher, even if you receive basic income support from the job centre.
The employment agency. It issues the education voucher, even if you receive basic income support from the job centre. The job centre continues to support you.
We do not decide on funding. But we help you with the application and prepare the meeting with you. Who does what?
How do I get the education voucher?Usually like this: you come to a consultation with us.
Usually like this: you come to a consultation with us. Then you talk to your adviser at the employment agency; there is often a test there too. The agency decides and issues the voucher. With the voucher, you register with us.
The Your path page shows every step.
When do the next retraining courses start?Retraining as an industrial mechanic starts on 15 Feb 2027, as an electronics technician on 1 Mar 2027.
Retraining as an industrial mechanic starts on 15 Feb 2027, as an electronics technician on 1 Mar 2027. After that, both retraining courses start every year in the first and the third quarter. We clarify the dates of the shorter courses at the consultation.
When are lessons?Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 15:15, in small groups of about 15 participants.
Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 15:15, in small groups of about 15 participants. There are holidays too, based on school holidays: 2 months for industrial mechanics, 46 days for electronics technicians.
Is there an internship?Yes. Both retraining courses include a three-month work placement.
Yes. Both retraining courses include a three-month work placement. You work in a company, apply what you have learned and make contacts. The training allowance continues. Our internship manager helps you find a company.
Exam and qualification
What qualification do I get at the end?A recognised vocational qualification if you pass the exam.
A recognised vocational qualification if you pass the exam. It is the same qualification as after an apprenticeship.
Industrial mechanics take the exam at the IHK. Electronics technicians for energy and building technology take the journeyman exam at the Chamber of Crafts.
Is retraining the same as an apprenticeship?The route is different, the qualification is the same.
The route is different, the qualification is the same. An apprenticeship is usually the first route into a trade. Retraining is further training for adults who change careers. It prepares you for the final exam at the IHK or the Chamber of Crafts. You hold the qualification once you pass the exam.
What is the difference between retraining and industrial electrician?Retraining as an electronics technician prepares you for the journeyman’s exam in a recognised trade.
Retraining as an electronics technician prepares you for the journeyman’s exam in a recognised trade. Industrial electrician is further training alongside your job for technical specialists: 420 hours with an IHK certificate. It is not a full vocational qualification.
Other courses
Industrial electrician: Is this retraining?No. It is further training for technical specialists.
No. It is further training for technical specialists. The IHK certificate is not a full vocational qualification like retraining as an electronics technician.
Industrial electrician: Who is it suitable for?For technical specialists with suitable training or experience who are to take on electrical tasks in industry.
For technical specialists with suitable training or experience who are to take on electrical tasks in industry.
Industrial electrician: What is the alternative without a technical background?If you want to start fully in the electrical trade, we look at retraining as an electronics technician together at the consultation.
If you want to start fully in the electrical trade, we look at retraining as an electronics technician together at the consultation.
TQ industrial mechanic: Is module 3 a vocational qualification?No. A single module is not a vocational qualification.
No. A single module is not a vocational qualification. After module 3 you receive the IHK competence assessment and a BFI certificate. The IHK later checks whether you are admitted to the external exam.
TQ industrial mechanic: Who pays for the partial qualification?An education voucher is possible within the Nuremberg qualification network.
An education voucher is possible within the Nuremberg qualification network. The employment agency decides whether you get one.
ELAQ electronics technician: Is ELAQ a vocational qualification?No. Module 1 ends with an exam on the module content and a BFI certificate.
No. Module 1 ends with an exam on the module content and a BFI certificate. Only a further route, such as retraining, can lead to a full vocational qualification.
ELAQ electronics technician: Who pays for ELAQ?An education voucher is possible within the Nuremberg qualification network.
An education voucher is possible within the Nuremberg qualification network. The employment agency decides whether you get one.
Who pays for the preparatory course?Funding with an education voucher is possible.
Funding with an education voucher is possible. The employment agency decides whether you get one.
Your question is not here?
Call us or come to a consultation. There we clear up everything about your situation.
The best answers come in person.
At the consultation we answer all questions about your situation.
You will meet
Gabriele Herrmann
Silvia Haala
Maximilian Weber
Johannes Weber