General information on professional training

Today, lifelong learning is essential. The purpose of professional training is to renew, enhance and expand existing professional qualifications or acquire new professional qualifications to remain competitive on the job market. It also contributes to personal development, improves career opportunities and boosts professional flexibility.

Training plays a key role for individuals, wider society and the economy. The increasing pace of economic and societal change calls for knowledge and qualifications to be constantly adapted and expanded.

Professional training encompasses all kinds of options related to the world of work. Due to the growing importance of aspects of general education for professional capability, specialist technical expertise should not be the sole focus of professional training. Instead, it should require more all-round knowledge and skills. Professional training supplements basic vocational education, advanced vocational education and college-level education. It is part of every level of education and a long-term undertaking, irrespective of age and stage of life. It is offered in various forms and by a large number of institutions (private and public training providers, companies, careers organizations, associations). It can last anywhere from a few sessions to several years.

Due to the number of options available and limited transparency, as a general rule, the following framing is recommended:

  • Is expertise on product-specific information or a professional concept involved?
  • Do you need a specific certificate to open the door to a specific area of professional activity?
  • How international is your focus and how important are international certificates?
  • How valuable are certain types of training to your employer (financial support or help with time while you train)?