ESF Funding Guideline Vocational Education – Educational Coaches

The ESF Funding Guideline Vocational Education – Educational Coaches offers an innovative subsidy in Hesse to support vocational further training. The program is specifically aimed at Hessian educational and public institutions that advise and support companies and their employees. Educational coaches are funded who, in particular, help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to recognize the benefits and opportunities of qualification. The focus is on consultations that strengthen the competitiveness and innovation capability of companies as well as secure the employability of employees. Through intensive counseling and individual support in the planning and implementation of further training measures, entrepreneurial success is sustainably promoted.

Within the framework of the program, a subsidy is granted that covers up to 85 percent of eligible expenses. Eligible costs include expenses for project personnel, necessary material costs, and administrative flat rates. Applicant institutions must demonstrate that they have relevant professional experience in further training counseling and, if applicable, participate in a certified procedure within the first twelve months if no counseling certification is available. The funding focuses on consultations that include awareness-raising measures for employees and companies to highlight the necessity of further training and cover specific information and support needs. This support facilitates knowledge transfer on the one hand and improves the integration of qualification initiatives into everyday business operations on the other.

Furthermore, the program promotes coordination and cooperation between the various actors in the field of vocational further training. Educational coaches work in close exchange with other counseling structures and educational providers, enabling comprehensive and targeted advice. In addition to a detailed concept and the application form, further documents such as a questionnaire on structural quality must be submitted depending on the project call. The structured application procedure, which provides for both electronic and written submission, ensures that only projects that meet the high-quality standards of the state of Hesse are funded. The program thus underscores the important contribution that qualified counseling can make in the modern world of work and sustainable personnel development.