Certification
Official
professional recognition after many years of service
Professional recognition after many years of work: Your path to an official qualification!
Are you an experienced professional without a formal qualification? Recognising your profession after many years of service gives you the opportunity to have your skills officially recognised. In this article, find out the different routes available and the steps you need to take to get your professional experience acknowledged. Need help with your application? Contact us for a no-obligation consultation!
The topic briefly and concisely
The recognition of professional qualifications is an important step towards the formal acknowledgment of your professional experience and can significantly enhance your career opportunities.
There are various procedures for professional recognition, such as the external examination, the validation procedure, and the determination procedure (VALIKOM), each with different requirements and goals.
The investment in professional recognition is worthwhile, as it can lead to higher salary, improved career opportunities, and increased employee satisfaction. A salary increase of up to 10% is realistic.
Do you have years of professional experience but no formal qualification? Discover your options for professional recognition and secure new career opportunities. Find out more now!
Introduction to Career Recognition after Long-Term Employment
What does Career Recognition mean and why is it important?
Career Recognition is a formal process that officially acknowledges the skills and competencies you have acquired throughout your professional life. Unlike a formal qualification obtained through education or academic studies, career recognition is based on your actual professional experience. This step can be crucial in enhancing your career opportunities and increasing your salary.
For employees, career recognition means an improvement in career opportunities and potentially higher pay. You receive official proof of your skills, which is beneficial in job applications and salary negotiations. Employers benefit from career recognition by better addressing the demand for skilled professionals and enhancing their competitiveness. It helps identify hidden talents and deploy staff according to their abilities.
Overview of the various recognition procedures
There are various procedures for recognizing your professional experience. The most common include the External Examination, the Validation Procedure (Professional Validation), and the Assessment Procedure (VALIKOM). Each of these procedures has its own requirements and focuses, which are explained in more detail below.
Recognition of qualifications: Minimum age and experience are crucial
Requirements for Professional Recognition
Minimum Age and Professional Experience
Certain basic requirements must be met to be eligible for professional recognition. These usually include a minimum age of 25 years and a specified duration of professional experience. These criteria aim to ensure that applicants have substantial practical experience.
The so-called 1.5-times rule of training duration plays an important role here. This means you must have worked at least 1.5 times the regular training period in the relevant profession to be eligible for examination. Here are some examples:
For a profession with a 2-year training period, you need 3 years of professional experience.
For a profession with a 3-year training period, you need 4.5 years of professional experience.
For a profession with a 3.5-year training period, you need 5.3 years of professional experience.
Verification of Professional Skills
To verify your professional skills, various documents are required. These primarily include job references and detailed job descriptions that demonstrate your responsibilities and acquired skills. Proof of further training and education can also support your competencies. Self-employed individuals must verify their activity with confirmation from their tax advisor.
IHK Berlin offers information on the requirements for exam admission for the external examination. Career validation enables the formal recognition of professional experience and skills, even without traditional vocational training.
External examination: How to obtain a professional qualification
The various recognition procedures in detail
The External Examination
The External Examination is a way to obtain a vocational qualification without previous education. It is aimed at individuals who have extensive professional experience and can demonstrate their knowledge and skills in an examination. The examination content corresponds to that of the regular final examination of the respective training occupation.
Preparation and Process
The External Examination consists of a theoretical and a practical examination part. To optimally prepare, you can attend preparatory courses offered by various educational providers. These courses may be funded by the Federal Employment Agency. The preparation is particularly important in the theoretical area.
Admission Requirements and Application Process (IHK/HWK)
The Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or the Chamber of Crafts (HWK) are responsible for admission to the External Examination. You must submit a written application and prove your professional experience with appropriate documents. The IHK Berlin provides detailed information on the necessary steps. There is the possibility of a compensatory measure for people with disabilities.
The Validation Procedure (Vocational Validation)
The Validation Procedure (Vocational Validation) offers experienced professionals without a formal qualification the opportunity to have their skills recognized. It aims to match existing skills with the requirements of a recognized vocational training occupation.
Process and Competence Assessment
As part of the validation procedure, your skills are assessed by a team of examiners. This is usually done through a practical and an oral assessment. The Handwerkskammer Berlin offers detailed information and advice on this.
Notice of (predominant) comparability and supplementary procedure
After a successful assessment, you will receive a notice of (predominant) comparability. This notice can provide you access to further training, such as the master craftsman examination. If full comparability is not established, there is the possibility of a supplementary procedure.
The Assessment Procedure (VALIKOM) of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce
The Hamburg Chamber of Commerce will offer the Assessment Procedure (VALIKOM) from early 2025. This procedure is aimed at experienced individuals without formal vocational training, enabling the assessment, documentation, and evaluation of their job-specific skills.
Target Group and Focus
VALIKOM aims to assess the individual, job-related skills of people who have not completed formal training. By certifying competencies, participants receive evidence of their skills, which can allow them access to higher vocational education.
Planned Start and Process from 2025
The procedure is set to start in early 2025 and includes the identification, documentation, evaluation, and certification of skills. Successful participants receive a certificate of full comparability or a notice of predominant comparability with a certain vocational training occupation.
Costs and Fees
Participation in VALIKOM is subject to charges. The costs are expected to range from 1,000 to 1,800 euros. The exact fees depend on the respective procedure and the extent of the assessment.
Application submission: How to submit the required documents
Application Submission and Documentation
Required Documents
Various documents are necessary for submitting an application for professional recognition. These include a CV, work references, school leaving certificate, and detailed job descriptions. You should also include proof of training to comprehensively demonstrate your competencies.
Where and how do I submit the application?
The respective chambers (IHK, HWK) are responsible for application submission. You can either find information and submit the application online via online portals or opt for personal consultation. The HWK Dresden offers information on the recognition of professional experience.
Costs and Fees
There are costs and fees associated with professional recognition. These generally consist of fees for admission and assessment. Additionally, costs for materials and room rental may arise. It is advisable to inform yourself in advance about the exact costs.
The external examination enables experienced professionals to obtain a formal vocational qualification without having undergone prior training. The IHK Berlin provides detailed information on admission requirements and necessary steps.
Recognition of professional qualifications: These laws are relevant
Legal foundations and framework conditions
The Professional Qualifications Assessment Act (BQFG)
The Professional Qualifications Assessment Act (BQFG) forms the legal basis for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications in Germany. It regulates the procedure for determining the equivalence of professional qualifications obtained abroad with German qualifications.
§§ 50b ff. BBiG (Vocational Training Act)
The §§ 50b ff. BBiG (Vocational Training Act) are relevant for the validation of non-formal and informal competencies. They allow for the accreditation of work experience towards training periods and admission to the final examination.
The Professional Validation and Digitisation Act
The Professional Validation and Digitisation Act aims to facilitate the recognition of professional experience and skills and to advance the digitisation of vocational education. It enables the formal recognition of competencies, even without traditional vocational training. The introduction of a minimum age is intended to prevent individuals from circumventing dual training in favour of professional validation.
The professional validation allows the formal recognition of professional experience and skills, even without traditional vocational training. The Hamburg Chamber of Commerce will offer the assessment procedure (VALIKOM) from the beginning of 2025 to assess job-specific skills.
Recognition of professional qualifications: Benefits outweigh the challenges
Opportunities and Challenges
Advantages of Professional Recognition
Professional recognition offers numerous advantages. These include improved career opportunities, a higher salary, recognition of your performance and competence, as well as access to further education and qualifications. You receive formal proof of your skills, which benefits you with job applications and salary negotiations.
Challenges and Difficulties
Despite the many advantages, there are also challenges and difficulties. The process can require substantial effort and intensive preparation. There's the possibility of rejection and the need for additional requirements. Additionally, costs and fees can pose an obstacle. It is important to gather comprehensive information in advance and to prepare thoroughly.
The Handwerkskammer Berlin offers advice on the recognition of long-standing professional experience. The IHK Berlin provides information on the requirements for admission to the external examination.
Success Stories: Professional Recognition as a Career Springboard
Case Studies and Success Stories
Examples of Successful Recognition of Professional Qualifications
There are numerous examples of individuals who have advanced their careers through the recognition of professional qualifications. Many have secured better positions or were able to significantly increase their salary thanks to the acknowledgement of their skills. These success stories demonstrate that the effort can be worthwhile.
Tips and Tricks for a Successful Application
For a successful application, it is important to submit all necessary documents completely and accurately. Pay attention to a detailed description of your activities and include all relevant proof. Good preparation for the examination or validation process is also crucial.
Motivation and Perseverance
The path to professional recognition can sometimes be challenging. It is important to stay motivated and show perseverance. Do not be discouraged by setbacks and seek support if needed. With the right attitude, you can achieve your goal.
The Hamburg Chamber of Commerce will offer the determination procedure (VALIKOM) from early 2025 to assess job-specific skills. Professional validation allows for the formal recognition of work experience and skills, even without traditional vocational training.
Recognition of professional qualifications: Investing in the future is worthwhile
Conclusion and Outlook
Summary of Key Points
The professional recognition after long-term service is an important step to have the skills and competencies you have acquired over the course of your career officially recognized. There are various procedures, such as the external examination, the validation process, and the determination procedure. Recognition offers numerous benefits, such as improved career opportunities and higher salary.
The Importance of Professional Recognition for the Future of the Job Market
Professional recognition will play an increasingly significant role in the future, as it helps meet the skills shortage and enhances the competitiveness of companies. It allows hidden talents to be identified and employees to be deployed according to their abilities.
Further Information and Advisory Services
For further information and advisory services, you can contact the relevant chambers (IHK, HWK). The Federal Employment Agency also offers support and funding opportunities. Take advantage of these resources to gain comprehensive information and chart your path to professional recognition.
At Mentoc, we are happy to support you with the translation of your documents for professional recognition. Our certified translations ensure that your papers are recognized by the relevant authorities. Contact us today for a non-binding consultation!
Would you like to finally convert your years of professional experience into a recognized professional qualification? Professional recognition gives you the opportunity to do so! We support you in having your documents translated professionally so that nothing stands in the way of your application. Contact us now for personal advice!
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Professional Recognition
More useful links
The IHK Berlin provides information on the prerequisites for examination admission for the external examination.
The Handwerkskammer Berlin offers detailed information and advice on the recognition of long-standing professional experience.
The Handelskammer Hamburg will offer the assessment procedure (VALIKOM) from the beginning of 2025 to determine job-specific skills.
The HWK Dresden provides, for example, information on the recognition of professional experience.
Personalwirtschaft reports on the possibility of recognizing professional experience without formal training.
FAQ
What is the difference between external examination and validation process?
The external examination leads to a full professional qualification through an examination before the IHK or HWK. The validation process (profession validation), on the other hand, determines the comparability of your skills with an apprenticeship without a direct professional qualification.
What requirements must I meet for professional recognition?
Generally, you need a minimum age of 25 years and work experience that is 1.5 times the regular training period of the respective profession. Work certificates and job descriptions are required.
How can I prove my professional skills?
You prove your professional skills through work certificates, detailed job descriptions, and evidence of further training and education. Self-employed individuals need confirmation from their tax advisor.
What is the assessment procedure (VALIKOM) of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce?
The assessment procedure (VALIKOM) of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce evaluates the job-specific skills of individuals without formal professional training. Successful participants receive a certificate of comparability of their skills.
What costs are involved in professional recognition?
The costs vary depending on the procedure and chamber. They generally consist of fees for admission and assessment. Get information in advance from the responsible chamber (IHK, HWK).
Can I have my work experience recognised even if I do not fully meet the 1.5-fold rule?
Yes, even if you do not fully meet the required work experience, you can be admitted if you can prove the necessary professional skills. This can be done through certificates or other evidence of qualifications.
What legal foundations are relevant for professional recognition?
Relevant laws include the Professional Qualifications Assessment Act (BQFG), the §§ 50b ff. BBiG (Vocational Training Act), and the Professional Validation and Digitisation Act.
Where can I find support and advice on professional recognition?
You will find support and advice at the responsible chambers (IHK, HWK) and the Federal Employment Agency. The Berlin Chamber of Crafts and the IHK Berlin offer detailed information and advice.
