Germany
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In Germany, access to continuing training depends heavily on employment status: unemployed adults, low-skilled workers, and those in small companies face fewer opportunities. Despite a high participation rate, learners still face important barriers.
Germany country reports
Germany 2024/25
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Increasingly tight funding in Germany worsens accessibility and responsiveness of ALE
Overall ALE situation in Germany
The overall situation of adult learning and education in Germany remains challenging. According to Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband (DVV), the German Adult Education Association, the funding environment is increasingly tight, and the situation has worsened compared to 2023. Both at the national and European levels, financial support for ALE is insufficient, leading to a significant accessibility gap in which many adults cannot afford to participate in learning opportunities. While civil society organizations have relatively good channels to express their views and contribute to policy-making, learners themselves have fewer opportunities to participate directly, and their concerns are only partially taken into account. This imbalance highlights the need for stronger structural support and more inclusive mechanisms to ensure that adult education remains both accessible and responsive to societal needs.
The skills dimension
DVV emphasizes the need to maintain a holistic perspective on skills development in adult learning. While the growing focus on employability is understandable, it should not become the sole objective of education. The importance of so-called future skills - such as critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability, is increasing, yet these competences often fall outside the scope of traditional vocational education. It is therefore essential to preserve a comprehensive, human-centered approach to adult learning that values both professional and personal development.
AI in Adult Learning
DVV is currently exploring the role of artificial intelligence in adult education. The organization is testing various AI tools to assess their potential benefits for adult education centers. While there is growing demand for AI as a learning topic, several challenges still hinder its broader implementation — including unresolved data protection concerns, issues of GDPR compliance, and high operational costs. To address these, DVV is developing guidelines to help adult education centers navigate the opportunities and risks associated with the use of AI in teaching and administration.
How engaged is DVV in the decision-making process?
DVV has been actively involved in several consultation processes during 2024. Among other topics, the organization contributed to discussions on the VAT exemption for educational programs and on the employment conditions of freelance educators working in continuing education institutions. These consultations provided an important opportunity to highlight the specific challenges faced by the adult learning sector and to advocate for fairer and more supportive policy frameworks.
DVV’s take on the PIAAC results
DVV agrees with the results shown by OECD.
DVV’s top 3 funding sources
1. Project funding
2. Program funding (contracts of education authorities with learning providers to deliver certain learning program/courses to certain target groups)
3. Contribution paid by employers
DISCLAIMER ON THE PARTICIPATION IN EDUCATION AND TRAINING DATA: the data focuses on formal and non-formal education and training, excluding guided on-the-job training. Participation is higher when on-the-job training is included. Data coming from sources such as OECD and the monitoring framework of the European Pillar of Social Rights may differ from the presented data.
Germany 2023
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Developments: A high need for digital development
Posted: 2022-12-16 / Category: Germany 2022 / Tags: sustainable development digitalisation CONFINTEA -
Challenges and future plans: Advocating for funding of ALE
Germany 2021
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Developments: Digitalisation prioritised by the new government
Posted: 2022-01-18 / Category: Germany 2021 / Tags: digital skills digitalisation Integration migration sustainable development CONFINTEA
Germany 2020
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Developments: New strategy for continuous education
Posted: 2020-11-23 / Category: Germany 2020 / Tags:
2019
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Germany introduction
Posted: 2020-01-09 / Category: 2019 / Tags: -
Recent developments in Germany
Posted: 2020-01-09 / Category: 2019 / Tags: vocational awareness -
Links to EU and international policy in Germany
Posted: 2020-01-09 / Category: 2019 / Tags: sustainable development basic skills citizenship education -
Challenges and recommendations in Germany
Posted: 2020-01-09 / Category: 2019 / Tags: non-formal learning
Learner stories from Germany
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Hendryk: "Through the VHS I found joy in learning again"
Posted: 2023-12-13 / Category: Learner stories from Germany / Tags: learner story learner voice"To the VHS Bochum I came through my father. I knew he caught up on a degree there. That is why I have taken the initiative to do the same. Through the VHS I found joy in learning again. Here, you can be just the way you are and the teachers are s...
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Katharina: "I learned a lot about myself and about life in general"
Posted: 2023-12-13 / Category: Learner stories from Germany / Tags: learner voice learner story"Hello, my name is Katharina. I came to VHS Bochum through my grandmother. She encouraged me that I would have good opportunities there to catch up on my degrees. And she was right!
Only if it doesn’t work out somewhere else, that doesn’t...
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Zainab: "I wanted to take a chance on something everyone around me advised me not to do"
Posted: 2023-12-13 / Category: Learner stories from Germany / Tags: learner voice learner story"Hello my name is Zainab. I visit the VHS Bochum, because I wanted to catch up on my degree. I wanted to take a chance on something everyone around me advised me not to do. Everyone told me it was going to be too difficult and fast for me, but thi...
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Eirini: "The VHS helped me to realise what I can do with my life"
Posted: 2023-12-13 / Category: Learner stories from Germany / Tags: learner voice learner story"Hello, my name is Eirini and I have been now for over a year at VHS Bochum. I originally came from Greece and have lived in Germany since 2015. In the past, I never had good experiences with schools and that is why I dropped out of school. But si...
