Innovative continuing education concept receives award

Combating the shortage of skilled workers: regioLab+ continuing education award aims to increase participation by companies in partial qualification programs.

regioLab+ Weiterbildungspreis Preisträger und Region Hannover

On Tuesday, the regioLab+ continuing education service center announced the winners of the "Partial Qualification" competition as part of the Skilled Workers Alliance. The aim of the competition is to focus attention on partial qualifications (PQ) among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their employees. This is because PQ can be a very efficient way of solving the pressing need for skilled workers in companies. The prize was awarded in cooperation with the Hanover Employment Agency, the Hanover Region Job Center, the Hanover Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Hanover Chamber of Crafts, and the Hanover Electrical Guild.

The award and prize money totaling €10,000 went to a consortium of three continuing education providers:

Berufsfortbildungswerk (bfw) non-profit educational institution of the DGB GmbH
Grone-Schulen Niedersachsen GmbH – non-profit
SBH Nordost GmbH

The jury was particularly impressed by the joint development of a new partial qualification in the profession of "plant mechanic for sanitary, heating, and air conditioning technology" – an offering that did not previously exist in the Hanover region. What is particularly innovative is that three competing educational institutions are working together for the first time to implement the TQ. The award-winning partial qualification for plant mechanics is to be offered for the first time in October 2026.

"Partial qualifications are a key tool for integrating low-skilled workers into the labor market while combating the shortage of skilled workers. With this award, we are raising awareness of the model—because it is still underused, even though it offers many advantages for companies and employees. "

Ulf-Birger Franz, Head of Economic Affairs for the Hanover Region

What are partial qualifications?

Partial qualifications (PQ) make it possible to gradually acquire a recognized vocational qualification – without several years of retraining. The modular components (duration: 2–6 months) are particularly aimed at:

Low-skilled (73% of participants)
People with a migrant background (46%)
Unemployed persons (support via unemployment benefits/citizen's income)
Employed persons (with wage subsidies)

The costs are usually covered by education vouchers from the Federal Employment Agency.

Background information on the regioLab+ service center for continuing education

The regioLab+ service center for continuing education is a project of the Hannover Region Economic and Employment Promotion Agency. The project offers consulting services with a focus on continuing vocational training as a key solution for the growing demand for skilled workers in companies.