University Certificate in Career Guidance

The programme is in line with the introduction of the new 2016 curriculum for economics and career and further education guidance, in which career guidance was introduced as a guiding principle for all subjects.

You can...

• describe the importance of successful transitions for young people, businesses and society, as well as the current state and development of career guidance in schools in the Federal Republic of Germany
• identify current issues in the world of work and careers (such as skills shortages, promoting STEM subjects, gender inequalities, discrimination and the importance of entrepreneurship) for primary and lower secondary education
• distinguish between the different areas of career guidance (introduction to the world of work, educational support during the transition, and guidance on workplace behaviour) as well as the sectors of the vocational training system (dual system, school-based vocational system, and transitional system) for different target groups
• be able to map out educational pathways and career trajectories for different school-leaving qualifications
• prepare, deliver and reflect on teaching methods for career guidance
• develop cross-curricular concepts for school-based career guidance, formulate the roles of the subjects involved (German, Maths, …) and initiate intra-school career guidance collaborations,
• initiate inter-school career guidance partnerships and collaborate with the stakeholders involved in the transition process (Federal Employment Agency, professional chambers, companies, parents, etc.)
• set out the objectives and requirements of work experience placements, organise, prepare, carry out and reflect on a work experience placement
• plan, carry out and reflect on a school-based career guidance project in a targeted manner
• prepare for and carry out the transition process (such as searching for an apprenticeship place, writing application letters, attending interviews, submitting applications and taking selection tests)

The following aspects are worth highlighting

• The current state and development of career guidance in schools in the Federal Republic of Germany.
• Administrative and pedagogical objectives of career guidance.
• Issues surrounding and the importance of successful transitions for young people, businesses and society.
• Current topics in career guidance (skills shortages, STEM professions, gender inequalities, discrimination, raising awareness of the propensity to start a business).
• Current qualitative and quantitative challenges relating to transitions.
• Specific teaching methods for career guidance (work experience visits, work placements, mentoring, skills assessment).
• Concepts of school-based career guidance.
• Intra-school career guidance partnerships and the role of the subjects involved.
• Inter-school career guidance partnerships, the stakeholders involved in the transition process (Federal Employment Agency, professional chambers, companies, parents, etc.) and their roles.
• The sectors of the vocational education and training system.
• Educational pathways and career paths following the Werkreal and Realschulabschluss qualifications.
• (Dual) requirements faced by apprentices.
• The transition process (searching for an apprenticeship place, cover letter, interview, application, selection test).
• The potential of skilled trades, industrial and STEM professions, their social significance and their entrepreneurial requirements.
• Entrepreneurship education.
• Concepts of vocational aptitude.
• Links between psychological performance characteristics and levels of occupational performance.

As part of the certificate programme, you will take four modules and complete a work placement or social placement. Please note that you should complete the certificate programme within two consecutive semesters.

To have the profile recognised, a comprehensive portfolio and an internship report must be submitted after completing all components of the module.