Further education and training
Volunteering is always a learning experience. Whether you’re already volunteering, are interested in getting involved, or work with volunteers: training courses can help you develop your skills, gain confidence and ensure your involvement is sustainable.
Here you’ll find information on further training, training providers and digital learning resources. You’ll also learn more about educational leave and ways to showcase the skills you’ve acquired.
Learning through volunteering
Many people get involved out of a sense of conviction. At the same time, volunteering often brings with it new responsibilities. Training programmes help people to feel confident in their role and to fulfil it effectively.
This involves both specialist knowledge and personal skills. Volunteering enhances, for example, communication, teamwork, organisational skills and intercultural skills. These are not only valuable in voluntary work, but are also in high demand in professional life.
Organisations benefit too: qualified volunteers work more independently, contribute new ideas and take on responsibility. At the same time, training and further education boost motivation and long-term commitment. Those who get involved gain experience and develop personally.
Did you know?
In Baden-Württemberg, you can apply for educational leave for many further training courses. Under certain conditions, employees can take time off work for further training. You are entitled to up to five paid working days per year. Educational leave can be used, amongst other things, for professional development, political education and training for specific voluntary roles.
Important: The training course and the provider must meet the relevant requirements. Check whether your training course is recognised and make the most of this opportunity to develop your skills for your voluntary work.
Find out more about educational leave from the Baden-Württemberg Regional Council
Organisations and committed individuals actively shape learning environments – in everyday life and beyond.
Training does not only take place in seminars. You learn a great deal directly through practical experience: by working together, trying things out and exchanging ideas with others. Organisations can consciously support these learning processes. Committed individuals can contribute their own learning needs and share their experiences.
How organisations can support
learning
- induct new volunteers effectively
- provide regular information about suitable learning opportunities
- encourage volunteers to take part in further training
- use tandem or mentoring schemes
- Facilitate discussion, feedback and reflection
- Document knowledge and make it accessible
- Cover costs or participation fees where possible
This is how you, as a committed individual, can learn and pass
on knowledge
- address your own interests and learning needs
- take advantage of training and learning opportunities
- exchange ideas with other committed individuals
- reflect on your experiences
- Pass on knowledge to others
Developing your own learning programmes
Organisations and volunteers can also design their own learning programmes and pass on knowledge. This works particularly well when topics arise from real-world experience and are tailored to specific needs.
Possible formats
- Workshops or short training sessions
- Exchange and networking events
- Keynote events or lectures
- Peer counselling or peer learning
- Collaborations with other organisations
Here’s how to get started
- Gather topics and knowledge from your surroundings
- Ask about interests, experiences and needs
- Start with small, accessible formats
- Try out different formats and develop them further
- use networks for collaborations and joint initiatives
Showcasing your skills
Show what you’re learning through your voluntary work: tools such as certificates of voluntary work, the Qualipass or the Youth Leader Card (Juleica) help you to document your skills and experiences. This allows you to consciously reflect on your abilities and apply them in a targeted way in other areas – such as your career or education. At the same time, it highlights what volunteering achieves and the impact it has.
With the Baden-Württemberg Certificate of Civic Engagement, you can document and highlight your voluntary work. It recognises your personal commitment and demonstrates the professional and social skills you have acquired through volunteering. This allows you to have your skills and experience gained through civic engagement individually documented and certified.
With the Qualipass, you can showcase your experiences and skills. You can use it to document your involvement in clubs, at school or in the local community, your participation in projects, courses and further training, work placements or experiences abroad. This makes your personal educational journey visible – alongside school and vocational qualifications as well as work experience.
The Qualipass is available for young people, adults and in plain language. Schools, businesses and clubs use it for career guidance and to certify work placements and voluntary work.
The Juleica qualification allows you to demonstrate your commitment to youth work and your skills. The Juleica certifies that you have thoroughly prepared yourself for your responsibilities – for example, in the areas of group leadership, law, event organisation and methodologies. At the same time, it is a mark of recognition for your voluntary work and entitles you to regional and national discounts.
Inspiration for your voluntary work
Would you like to expand your knowledge, develop new skills or take your volunteering to the next level? Discover training courses, seminars and digital learning resources from various educational providers – tailored to volunteers, clubs, initiatives and organisations.
Get your bearings quickly
Here you’ll find the most important information for