How can you tell if a continuing education provider is good?

10 Criteria for Making the Right Choice

Today, those seeking continuing education have millions of programs to choose from. The real challenge, therefore, is not finding just any course, but finding the right provider. After all, the quality of instruction, personalized support, and recognized credentials are key factors in determining how successful a continuing education program ultimately is.

Especially if your continuing education is funded by BildungsgutscheinAgentur für Arbeit, or the Job Center, it’s worth taking a close look at what’s available on the market. After all, you’re investing several weeks or months in your professional future.

These ten criteria will help you identify a high-quality training provider.

AZAV Certification as a Basic Requirement

If you want to finance your continuing education through an Bildungsgutschein, both the training provider and the program must be accredited under the AZAV (Accreditation and Approval Ordinance for Employment Promotion).

At alfatraining, all courses are AZAV-certified and are therefore generally eligible for funding through the Federal Employment Agency ( Bildungsgutschein ), provided that the personal requirements are met. In addition, the quality management system is certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001.

Live Instruction Instead of Anonymous Self-Study

Many providers advertise “online continuing education.” However, this often amounts to nothing more than e-learning with recorded videos and self-study phases.

This makes a big difference for long-term learning success.

At alfatraining, classes take place live at the virtuellen Klassenraum. Instructors guide participants in real time throughout the entire training program. Questions can be asked at any time, and content can be worked through together directly—similar to a traditional in-person class, but without the commute.

alfatraining offers the option to participate both in person at the Bildungszentrum and from home.

Personal Support Instead of Learning on Your Own

Effective continuing education thrives on interaction. That’s why not only the instruction itself plays an important role, but also the support provided throughout the entire course.

Make sure to check whether the classes are actually taught by instructors or whether they primarily consist of self-study phases and pre-recorded content.

In live classes, questions can be answered immediately, content can be explored collaboratively, and individual challenges can be discussed right away. Equally important is the personal support provided beyond the classroom. A good continuing education provider doesn’t leave its participants on their own but supports them with organizational questions, monitors their learning progress, and, when needed, makes an educational team available as a point of contact.

At alfatraining, classes take place exclusively live in a virtual classroom. The instructors personally guide participants throughout the entire program and are available to answer questions at any time. In addition, the educational and technical team ensures that participants receive individualized support throughout the course and can get help with organizational or personal concerns at any time.

Practical Content

Employers are not just looking for theoretical knowledge. They seek skills that can be directly applied in everyday professional life. High-quality continuing education therefore focuses primarily on teaching skills that can be immediately put into practice. These include, for example, project work, case studies, training in current industry software, and practical assignments.

At alfatraining, instruction is consistently aligned with the demands of the job market. Participants work with professional applications and acquire skills they can immediately apply in their professional lives. In addition, all courses cover the fundamentals and practical applications of artificial intelligence—a skill set that is becoming increasingly important in nearly all professional fields.

Recognized Vendor Certifications

A certificate of participation confirms successful completion of a continuing education program.

Even more valuable, however, are recognized Hersteller- und Branchenzertifikate, which are valued by companies worldwide as objective proof of competence.

Depending on the field of study, participants can earn certifications from the following institutions and vendors through alfatraining, among others:

• SAP

• Microsoft

• Cisco

• Autodesk

• CompTIA

• DATEV

• Scrum.org

• TÜV Rheinland

• buildingSMART

• Linux Professional Institute

• ESRI

• PRINCE2®

• ITIL®

• TOEIC®

Such certifications often improve your chances in the job application process because they demonstrate that the knowledge you’ve acquired has been tested against recognized standards.

Personalized Guidance Instead of One-Size-Fits-All Solutions

Not every continuing education program is a good fit for every career path.

A good training provider takes the time to understand your individual situation, discuss your career goals, and work with you to put together the right qualification. This also includes comprehensive counseling on funding opportunities such as the Bildungsgutschein.

At alfatraining, this consultation is free of charge and non-binding. Together with the educational advisors, an individualized qualification plan is developed that is optimally tailored to your personal career goals.

Support on Your Path to a Job

Good continuing education doesn’t end on the last day of class.

Additional services such as job application training, assistance with optimizing application materials, career counseling, or information on current trends in the job market are helpful.

These services also help ensure a successful transition into new employment and are an important indicator of a training provider’s quality.

Modern technical equipment

Digital continuing education only works with a reliable technical infrastructure.

At alfatraining, classes are held via the GDPR-compliant video conferencing software alfaview. Participants learn either from the comfort of their own homes or at one of the nationwide training centers. Instructors are connected live at all times and personally guide the classes.

A broad and up-to-date range of courses

The demands of the job market are constantly evolving. That’s why a training provider’s course offerings should be regularly adapted to new technologies, job profiles, and qualification requirements.

alfatraining offers more than 300 subsidized continuing education programs in areas such as

• IT and software development

• SAP

• CAD and BIM

• Project management

• Digitalization

• Online Marketing

• Human Resources

• Business Qualifications

• Quality Management

• Environmental and Sustainability Management

• Languages

Courses start regularly and can be individually combined. This creates a continuing education program that is optimally tailored to your specific career goals.

Get to Know Our Continuing Education Programs with No Obligation

A reputable continuing education provider offers prospective students the opportunity to experience the classes in advance.

At alfatraining, you can participate in a free, no-obligation “ Probestunde.” This gives you a realistic impression of live classes, familiarizes you with the learning environment, and lets you experience how virtual classes work in practice.

A trial class provides clarity and helps you make the right decision for your professional future.

Why Choosing the Right Continuing Education Provider Matters

Professional continuing education is an investment in your own future. This makes it all the more important to choose a training provider that not only teaches technical content but also supports its participants throughout the entire learning process and prepares them for the demands of the job market.

With more than 20 years of experience, alfatraining is one of the leading providers of professional continuing education in Germany. Over 300 AZAV-certified courses, live instruction with personalized support, recognized manufacturer certifications, and individualized educational counseling create the ideal conditions for a successful career restart or your next career move.

Get a no-obligation consultation

Would you like to know which continuing education program best fits your career goals, or do you have questions about Bildungsgutschein?

The educational advisors at alfatraining will help you choose the right continuing education program free of charge and with no obligation, and will inform you about the various funding options available.

Schedule a personal consultation now and take the next step toward your professional future.

0800 3456-500

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