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Further training for employees · Funding for employers

Continue staff training and Making effective use of funding

Would you like to develop an employee professionally without having to bear the entire training costs yourself? Through the employment promotion scheme of the Employment Agency, companies can receive grants for course fees and for loss of earnings due to further training.

For companies with fewer than 50 employees, provided the conditions are met, up to 100 % of the course costs and up to 75 % of the loss of earnings due to further training may be subsidised. Approval is always granted following an individual assessment.
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Further training and employee development for those working in fashion design and bespoke tailoring
Funded further training for employees in fashion design, pattern cutting, sewing technology and tailoring.

Under the theme Staff development and training UniFash supports companies in specifically developing skilled employees and making sensible use of potential subsidies from the Employment Agency. Precisely because good skilled workers are hard to find, qualifying one's own team is often the more economical alternative to the time-consuming search for new personnel.

The UniFash further education course is aimed at, among others, companies in the fashion retail sector, ateliers, alteration shops, bespoke tailors, costume departments, theatres, textile businesses, smaller fashion labels, and other companies that wish to build up artisanal and design skills within their own team.

What are the advantages of further training? for your company?

  • You are building valuable expertise directly within your own company.
  • You develop existing employees rather than exclusively searching for new specialists.
  • You improve advice, product understanding, and technical expertise.
  • They strengthen the bond of employees to your company.
  • You can develop new areas of business and additional services.
  • You will receive grants for further training costs and wages, depending on the funding decision.

Staff professional development What grants are possible?

The Employment Agency can subsidise professional training for employees in existing employment relationships. Key factors include the company size, the personal and professional background of the employed person, the qualification goal, and the eligibility for funding of the training provider and the further training itself.

Fewer than 50 employees

Up to 100 % course fees

For small businesses, the course fees may be covered in full, provided the eligibility criteria are met. In addition, a grant of up to 75 % may be available to cover loss of earnings due to further training.

50 to 499 employees

Pro-rata eligible

For medium-sized enterprises, funding is generally available for up to 50 % of the training costs and up to 50 % of the loss of earnings resulting from further training.

From 500 employees

Individual support assessment

Larger companies can also apply for funding. Under the general funding scale, grants of up to 25 % are available to cover training costs and lost wages.

Particularly interesting for small businesses: Companies with fewer than ten employees are included in the funding group for businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Therefore, subject to meeting the requirements, they can also benefit from full reimbursement of course costs and a high subsidy for the loss of earnings due to further training.

The stated funding rates are not an automatic guarantee. The specific funding amount will be reviewed and determined by the responsible Employer Service of the Employment Agency. Special funding conditions may apply to employees without a marketable vocational qualification, older employees, severely disabled people, or certain qualification measures aimed at obtaining a qualification.

What do your employees learn at UniFash?

The six-month advanced training course combines fashion design with in-depth tailoring skills. It is not structured as a short hobby course, but rather as a structured professional qualification with a total of 720 teaching hours.

  • Professional sewing techniques and clean finishing
  • Cutting techniques and basic pattern development
  • Understanding of fit and professional measurement taking
  • Materials science and textile quality assessment
  • Fashion Design, Fashion Illustration and Creative Development
  • Practical creation of various garments

AZAV-certified further training

UniFash is an AZAV-certified education provider. Further training in fashion design and bespoke tailoring is also approved as a measure.

The further training lasts six months full-time, comprises 720 teaching units and can be completed digitally in German or English. This allows employees to participate regardless of their company's location.

This is how the funding check works for employers from

1

Discuss requirements

Together we will clarify which employee should be further trained and what business objective you are pursuing.

2

Prepare documents

UniFash compiles the necessary course information, programme data, and documents for the funding application.

3

Apply for funding

Your company will contact the Employer Service of the relevant Employment Agency and submit the application.

4

On approval, commence

After the written funding decision, participation can be prepared organisationally and the course start can be agreed upon.

Important: Funding should generally be clarified and applied for with the employer service of the employment agency before the start of the training. Do not start the course before the funding decision has been made.

We support you with Application creation

You don't have to work through the funding information alone. UniFash supports your company in the content preparation of the funding request. We provide the necessary information for further training, help with the presentation of the qualification goal, and accompany you through the next steps.

The final decision on eligibility and the funding amount will be made by the employer service of the Employment Agency. However, we will ensure that you go into the consultation appointment well-prepared and with the necessary course materials.

For which companies is the further training especially interesting?

  • Fashion stores and retail businesses requiring intensive consultation
  • Bespoke tailoring and alteration services
  • Boutique design studios and smaller fashion labels
  • Theatres, stages, costume workshops, and cultural institutions
  • Textile production, pattern and development companies
  • Companies wishing to expand their craft services

We would be happy to check with you in advance whether the further training is suitable for your company and the intended employee. It is not only the possible funding that is decisive, but also whether the acquired competencies can be meaningfully applied within the company.

One Staff development and training should always match the company's actual qualification requirements. Therefore, we will review together what skills need to be developed and what course materials are needed for the discussion with the employer service.

Non-binding preliminary discussion of funding opportunities

Briefly describe your company size, the occupation of the employee, and the desired qualification goal. We will help you prepare the next steps effectively.

Make personal contact now

Detailed information on qualification can be found on the page AZAV-certified further training in fashion design and tailoring. .

The official requirements and funding information can also be found on the page of the Federal Labour Agency for the Promotion of Further Training for Employees .

Frequently Asked Questions about Further Training and Employee Development

The most important answers for managing directors, owners, and HR managers.

Yes, an employer can sponsor an employee's further training.
Yes. The Employment Agency can, under certain conditions, cover course costs and pay the employer a subsidy for salary loss due to further training. The funding decision is made on an individual basis.
What is the level of funding for companies with fewer than 10 employees?
Companies with fewer than ten employees fall into the funding group for businesses with fewer than 50 employees. If the conditions are met, up to 100 percent of the course costs and up to 75 percent of the loss of earnings due to further training can be subsidised.
What is the level of funding for companies with 10 to 49 employees?
Even companies with 10 to 49 employees fall into the funding category for businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Therefore, in principle, up to 100 percent of the course costs and up to 75 percent of the loss of earnings due to further training can also be subsidised.
What applies to companies with more than 50 employees?
For companies with 50 to 499 employees, up to 50 percent of course costs and up to 50 percent of training-related wage compensation can generally be subsidised. From 500 employees, subsidy rates of up to 25 percent generally apply. Special requirements may alter the subsidies.
Must the funding be applied for before the start of the further training?
Yes. Employers should clarify funding with the responsible employer service of the Employment Agency before the course begins and await a written decision. A course that has already started could jeopardise funding.
Does UniFash help with applications?
UniFash supports the preparation of the funding request and provides the necessary course and programme data. We also help to present the operational qualification goal in a comprehensible way. The approval itself is granted by the Employment Agency.
Can the further education be completed entirely online?
Yes. The six-month UniFash further education course is offered digitally and can be completed in German or English. This allows companies to have employees qualify regardless of their location.
Funding is not approved by UniFash. The examination and decision are made by the responsible employment agency. The amount of funding and the eligibility criteria may depend on the individual case, the size of the company, the employee, and the qualification goal.