Germany to Allow Workers One-Year Paid Leave to Take Advantage of Training Opportunities

Germany is getting serious about helping workforces remain competitive in the global marketplace by focusing on access to training. Specifically, the German Labor Minister, Hubertus Heil, is working on a plan to allow German workers to take up to a year off to complete training programs or further their education. The initiative would be funded by Germany’s Federal Employment Agency. Individual workers would receive 60 percent of their income during their hiatus, while those with dependents would receive 67 percent. Like many countries, Germany currently has a tremendous shortfall of skilled workers, which is causing major problems for the country’s employers. Heil says the new law will “open up additional opportunities for employees in view of the shortage of skilled workers in Germany.” Other measures on the table to help close this skills gap include immigration reform and provisions to help young people in search of apprenticeships with relocation costs.