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Professional development during parental leave: your direct path back to work
Use your parental leave to acquire new skills, expand your knowledge, and actively shape your return to the workforce.
Professional development during parental leave: your direct path back to work
Use your parental leave to acquire new skills, expand your knowledge, and actively shape your return to the workforce.
How can you use parental leave for your professional development?
Prepare for your return to work
Use your parental leave to expand your knowledge and prepare optimally for your return to work.
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Create new career opportunities
With up-to-date expertise and in-demand qualifications, you strengthen your position in the job market and open up new perspectives.
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Flexible online learning
Our online training programs are perfectly compatible with family and daily life – learn whenever and wherever it suits you.
Secure up to 100% funding
As we continue to grow, new opportunities constantly arise to develop your strengths and take on more responsibility. Together, we are shaping the future of further education.
Which topic are you interested in?
Why is it worth using your parental leave strategically for further education?
While family is naturally your top priority, that doesn't mean you can't manage further education at the same time. On the contrary, you can use this legally provided break from your job to stay on top of your professional game or explore a new direction.
How can you make it work?
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1. Use online formats
Short sessions are easy to integrate into quiet moments.
2. Schedule your study time
Five to ten hours a week can be enough.
3. Coordinate childcare
Clear agreements with your partner or family create the space you need to learn.
4. Make the most of your daily routine
Podcasts, webinars, or audio formats fit easily into short windows of time.
5. Check for funding
Education vouchers or the Qualification Opportunities Act may cover the costs in full.
Starting your learning journey
1. Get in touch with us
We typically get back to you on the same day.
2. Find your perfect training program
Work with our continuing education experts to find the training that perfectly matches your goals and existing knowledge.
3. Your personalized offer
You will receive a personalized quote for your training. We are also happy to advise you on financing options.
4. Your training - your choice
Are you ready? Then let's get started and begin learning the skills for your professional future.
5. Educational Onboarding
Our team will show you the learning platform, and you'll have the chance to get all your questions answered.
An excellent learning experience
Our learning content was developed in collaboration with educators and universities and is regularly recognized for its quality.
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Checklist - Are you eligible for government funding?
Professional training during parental leave can be financed through various funding options. The key is that the program improves your career prospects and aligns with your next career step.
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1. Checked your education voucher?
Can your further education be up to 100% funded by the Employment Agency or the Jobcenter?
2. AZAV certification available?
Five to ten hours per week can be enough.
3. Considered additional costs?
Can costs for learning materials, travel, or childcare be covered in addition to the course fees?
4. Childcare planned?
Are you eligible for a subsidy of up to 160 euros per month per child?
5. Is the Skills Development Opportunities Act (Qualifizierungschancengesetz) a fit?
Are you currently employed, and could your employer use funding for your professional development?
6. Clarified salary retention?
Is a wage subsidy of up to 75% possible?
7. Checked for parental allowance?
Are you currently employed, and could your employer use funding for your professional development?
8. Aware of alternative financing?
Are you interested in 0% financing with installment payments?
9. Used our consultation service?
Have you checked with velpTEC to see which funding options fit your situation?
Starting your learning journey
1. Get in touch with us
We usually get back to you on the same day.
2. Find your perfect training
With our training experts, you will find the course that perfectly matches your goals and existing knowledge.
3. Your personalized quote
You will receive a personalized quote for your training. We are also happy to advise you on financing options.
4. Your training - your choice
Are you ready? Then let's get started and begin learning the skills for your professional future.
5. Educational Onboarding
Our team will show you the learning platform, and you'll have the chance to ask any questions you may have.
Do you have questions?
Do you have questions about our training programs or want to learn more about us? No problem! If you can't find the answer in our FAQs, just send us an email with your request.
Is further training allowed during parental leave?
Yes, you are allowed to pursue further training during parental leave. Section 15 (5) of the Federal Parental Allowance and Parental Leave Act (BEEG) explicitly provides for professional development. You remain within the rules as long as your paid employment does not exceed 32 hours per week. For children born before 2021, the limit is 30 hours. Purely educational activities, such as online courses, generally do not affect your parental allowance or your entitlement to parental leave.
How can I fund my further education while on parental leave?
You can fund your further education using an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein) under Section 87 of the German Social Code (SGB III). You apply for this through the Employment Agency or the Jobcenter, and it can cover up to 100 percent of the costs. Depending on your situation, you may also be eligible for a childcare subsidy of up to 160 euros per month. Additionally, you can take advantage of funding through the Qualification Opportunities Act (Qualifizierungschancengesetz). This can cover up to 100 percent of the costs and provide you with a wage subsidy of up to 75 percent.
Are there specific professional development programs for those returning to work?
Yes, you can take advantage of special offers for returning to work. Programs such as "Early Professional Re-entry for Parents" or funding pathways through the Qualification Opportunities Act are also aimed at those returning to work with children and often focus on flexible formats. You can find subsidized offers via "mein NOW," for example, or by browsing our website directly.
Parental leave professional development: Detailed training description
Returning to velpTEC: Empowering your comeback through parental leave training
Training during parental leave gives you the opportunity to consciously advance your professional development and actively shape your return to work. This phase provides the space to build new skills, deepen existing knowledge, and prepare specifically for future tasks or a new position.
Data from the Leibniz Institute for Educational Trajectories, based on the National Educational Panel Study, shows that many mothers participate less frequently in longer training programs during this time, even though this is the perfect moment to create new career momentum . So, what are you waiting for?
Funding programs such as the education voucher (Bildungsgutschein) cover up to 100 percent of the costs and make it easier for you to get started. And don't worry: with the right learning structure, you can turn your parental leave into a valuable investment in your next career step.
Start your career path now!
The most important points at a glance
- Training during parental leave strengthens your return to work and helps you build new skills in a targeted way.
- You can take up to three years of parental leave per child and remain employed for up to 32 hours per week.
- Funding programs such as the education voucher or the Skills Development Opportunities Act can cover up to 100 percent of the costs.
- Flexible online formats allow for learning in short sessions, adapted to your daily family life.
Using parental leave strategically for further education
While your family is naturally your main priority, that doesn't mean you can't pursue further education during parental leave at the same time. On the contrary. You can use your legally entitled time off from work to stay on top of your professional game or explore a new career path.
How can you make it work?
- You can use your parental leave for professional training or retraining, with up to three years available per child.
- You stay within the limit of a maximum of 32 hours per week while you learn and manage your daily routine.
- You choose flexible formats such as online courses, seminars, or degree programs that adapt to your schedule.
- You strengthen your return to work or prepare for a career change by refreshing relevant skills or building new ones.
- You can take advantage of funding, for example through the education voucher or the Skills Development Opportunities Act, with the possibility of full cost coverage.
- You secure your professional future by using this time for development and consciously advancing your career planning.
Why professional development right now sharpens your profile & supports your return to work
Targeted professional development during parental leave can provide you with many advantages when returning to work. The following example shows what this can look like in practice.
Sarah, a 32-year-old nurse from North Rhine-Westphalia, used her parental leave for part-time professional development to become a specialist. She studied about 15 hours per week online in the evenings while her partner took care of childcare. The program was 100 percent funded through the Qualification Opportunities Act, including a portion of her parental leave salary.
After graduating, she took on a leadership role with about a 20 percent higher salary and flexible shifts. The compact six-month duration made it easy to integrate into family life and simplified taking the next step in her career.
Find out more now!
Learn flexibly: Your professional development during parental leave, stress-free
With the right structure, you can manage Professional development during parental leave integrate harmoniously into your daily family life. The following five tips will help you stay on track, step by step.
- Opt for flexible online formats. Short, modular units can be completed in 15 to 30 minutes and fit well into nap times or quiet moments at home. This allows you to use small windows of time effectively and stay consistently engaged with the subject matter.
- Set realistic goals and fixed study times. Five to ten hours per week are often enough if you define clear milestones. A simple calendar with set evenings or clear time slots ensures accountability and visible progress.
- Actively involve childcare. Coordinate consciously as a family and create fixed study periods. Rotating childcare duties with your partner or getting support from family gives you focused time for your personal development.
- Use short learning bursts in your daily routine. Podcasts, webinars, or audio formats can be listened to even while doing chores. Additionally, using a clear study technique with set intervals will support your concentration.
- Check for funding and take care of yourself. Education vouchers can cover costs entirely and provide financial security. Also, plan for conscious recovery time so that your professional development during parental leave remains motivating in the long run.
Legal aspects & opportunities: Is professional development allowed during parental leave?
Good news: professional development during parental leave is permitted and therefore legally possible. The decisive factor remains the limit on your paid work. You are allowed to work up to 32 hours per week be employed; for children born before September 1, 2021, up to 30 hours.
Pure learning, for example online courses, remains independent of this and generally does not affect your parental leave entitlement. Informing your employer becomes relevant primarily when the further training is combined with gainful employment.
- 32 hours per week as the limit for paid employment; 30 hours for older cases
- Further training and degree programs are provided for by law
- Online learning usually has no impact on parental leave entitlement
- Inform your employer if your further training involves gainful employment
An overview of your government funding options
You can finance further training during parental leave through government programs if the training improves your job market prospects .
Education voucher via the Employment Agency or Jobcenter
You can receive a training voucher in accordance with Section 87 of the German Social Code (SGB III) through the Employment Agency or the Jobcenter. The training voucher can cover up to 100 percent of the further education costs.
Depending on your individual case, travel expenses and learning materials may also be covered. You can also receive a subsidy for childcare costs , which can amount to 160 euros per month per child .
Qualification Opportunities Act with cost coverage and salary retention
You can take advantage of funding through the Qualification Opportunities Act if you participate in further training while employed. Here, too, costs can be covered by up to 100 percent.
You can also receive salary retention of up to 75 percent . Depending on your situation, you may also be eligible for childcare subsidies if supervision is required.
Parental allowance and additional financial components
You generally keep your parental allowance, as long as you are not in full-time employment. You can work part-time up to 32 hours per week, which may adjust your parental allowance.
Alternatively, we offer other financing options, including flexible installments with 0% financing.
Flexible installments with 0% financing
Targeted further education for returners: Your new opportunities
The further education program for returners at velpTEC follows a learning conceptthat is focused on your goals. You will receive a personalized learning pathtailored to your prior knowledge and learning style.
You learn online with 24/7 access, feel free to use a location near you or simply combine both. Furthermore, you can choose to pursue your further education full-time or part-time.
Throughout the entire process, we support you with expert guidance and are always here for you. Even after you finish, we are happy to remain your primary point of contact.
You can also look forward to a high degree of practical relevance and quality standards of the highest level. The training content is structured so that you can apply your knowledge directly in workshops, case studies, and projects.
Future-oriented topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Blockchain, Sustainability and Green Tech are fully integrated. Classes are led by expert instructors and take place in a supportive learning environment . Depending on your personal circumstances, funding covering up to the full cost of the program may be available.
Ready for your next step toward becoming an Additive Manufacturing Process Engineer, but want a plan that actually makes sense?
Then take advantage of a no-obligation consultation with usto sort through your options, assess where you currently stand, and find a learning path that truly fits your daily life.
FAQ: Professional development during parental leave
Is professional development allowed during parental leave?
Yes, you are allowed to pursue professional development during parental leave. Section 15 (5) of the Federal Parental Allowance and Parental Leave Act (BEEG) explicitly provides for further training. You remain within the rules as long as your paid employment does not exceed 32 hours per week.
For children born before 2021, the limit is 30 hours. Purely educational measures, such as online training courses, generally do not affect your parental allowance or your entitlement to parental leave.
How can I finance my professional development during parental leave?
You can finance your training using an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein) under Section 87 of the Social Code Book III (SGB III). You apply for this through the Employment Agency or the Jobcenter, and it can cover up to 100 percent of the costs. Depending on your situation, you may also be eligible for a childcare subsidy of up to 160 euros per month.
You can also take advantage of funding through the Qualification Opportunities Act (Qualifizierungschancengesetz). This can cover up to 100 percent of the costs, and you may receive a wage replacement of up to 75 percent.
Are there special training programs for those returning to work?
Yes, you can take advantage of special offers for returning to the workforce. Programs such as "Early Professional Re-entry for Parents" or funding paths via the Qualification Opportunities Act are also aimed at parents returning to work and often focus on flexible formats. You can find subsidized offers via "mein NOW," for example, or by browsing our website directly.
„Beraterinnen und Berater bei velpTEC haben von Anfang an einen Unterschied gemacht, indem sie mir ein Weiterbildungsangebot zusammengestellt haben, das genau auf meine Bedürfnisse zugeschnitten war.”
Bereichsleiter Marketing und Kommunikation DACH-Region
„Meine Erfahrung mit velpTEC begann online, als ich nach Weiterbildungsmöglichkeiten im BGM suchte. Gleich zu Beginn hatte ich einen sehr positiven Kontakt mit einer Mitarbeiterin am Telefon.”
Head of Product Fitness Gesundheitsmanagement
„Dank velpTEC erlebe ich eine hervorragende Weiterbildung, die sich problemlos in meinen beruflichen Alltag integrieren lässt. Ich werde durch Dozenten unterstützt, die mich kompetent auf meinem Weg begleiten.”
Buchhalterin in einem gemeinnützigen Verein
„Die Weiterbildung bei velpTEC hat mich durch die Aktualität und Relevanz der Inhalte besonders gut auf meine zukünftige Rolle als Personalentwicklerin vorbereitet.”
Personalentwicklerin
„Ich fühlte mich von Beginn an gut aufgehoben und hatte keinerlei Bedenken, eine Weiterbildung zu 100 % online durchzuführen.“
Personalentwicklerin
„Ein besonders wertvoller Aspekt meiner Lernerfahrung bei velpTEC war die Möglichkeit, zeitnah Feedback zu meinen Fortschritten zu erhalten.“
Senior Marketing Manager
„Die Beraterinnen und Berater bei velpTEC haben von Anfang an einen Unterschied gemacht, indem sie mir ein Weiterbildungsangebot zusammengestellt haben, das genau auf meine Bedürfnisse zugeschnitten war.“
Chief Marketing Officer
„velpTEC hat entscheidend dazu beigetragen, dass ich mich gut auf den zukünftigen Arbeitsmarkt vorbereitet fühle. Die Möglichkeit, direkt mit den Trainern und Trainerinnen über das Arbeitsleben und die Branche zu sprechen, war sehr wertvoll.“
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What our alumni say about velpTEC:
What our alumni say about velpTEC:
„velpTEC hat entscheidend dazu beigetragen, dass ich mich gut auf den zukünftigen Arbeitsmarkt vorbereitet fühle.”
Grafikdesign und Mediengestaltung
„Beraterinnen und Berater bei velpTEC haben von Anfang an einen Unterschied gemacht, indem sie mir ein Weiterbildungsangebot zusammengestellt haben, das genau auf meine Bedürfnisse zugeschnitten war.”
Bereichsleiter Marketing und Kommunikation DACH-Region
„Meine Erfahrung mit velpTEC begann online, als ich nach Weiterbildungsmöglichkeiten im Gesundheitsmanagement suchte. Gleich zu Beginn hatte ich einen sehr positiven Kontakt mit einer Mitarbeiterin am Telefon.”
Head of Product Fitness
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