Coaches, e-learning courses or face-to-face courses: the training market is confusing. But there are criteria that reveal when an offer is nonsense.
Cologne (dpa / tmn) - Anyone who wants to continue their education has a variety of options: Is an online course enough or should it be distance learning? Do I need a contact person or even a personal coach?
There are numerous offers on the education market. But which ones are good and how can you tell?
The search can begin, for example, with the various directories and comparison portals on the Internet. Both the employment agency and private portals list training options and helpful information on their websites.
Evaluations of other graduates can provide information about the content and the fulfillment of expectations. However, this does not make the assessment clear: "It is difficult to say whether a course is good or bad, because that depends entirely on my own requirements," explains Fabio Astuni from the Cologne-based Fernstudiumcheck portal.
Know what you want
So at the beginning it has to be clarified: "What is my current situation like? How flexible am I? What do I want and what do I need in my situation?"
The search would then be easier to manage with your own quality criteria. The experiences of others on opinion portals can be very subjective and differ from one another, warns Astuni.
However, there are also institutional certifications of further training measures that can be used as a guide. For example, some courses are Tüv certified.
Mainly, however, the state central office for distance learning, the ZFU, is responsible for the approval of distance learning courses. In addition to test seals, the ZFU also issues information for those interested.
Distance learning courses require approval
The ZFU points out, for example, that every distance learning course must be approved in Germany - except when it comes to so-called "hobby courses" in which entertainment and leisure activities are in the foreground.
In the case of admission, however, it can be assumed that a course offers up-to-date content that corresponds to the Vocational Training Act and is taught with pedagogical supervision and practical relevance.
On request, information material about each approved distance learning course can be obtained from the ZFU. The ZFU seal itself, however, is expressly not a state recognition of a professional qualification, but only serves consumer protection. So initially it only guarantees a minimum level of quality.
Pay attention to the minimum duration and degree for online courses
In addition to the ZFU-certified and often very expensive and extensive distance learning courses, there is also a wealth of online courses that either come from an international area or simply concern a more specific skill.
These non-state certified courses can also be considered and are often more financially accessible. Astuni recommends that you ensure that courses run for at least one month and end with a certificate or - better still - a bachelor's degree or other degree.
You can avoid bad courses by always considering several portals and paying attention to the quality of the websites. If there is a central point of contact or a community, for example an online campus or chat, this can contribute to the success of further training.
Check membership in the association for coaches
Those who want to work with a personal coach are also faced with a wide range of different coaching concepts and experts. Here, too, there are coach databases where the search can begin. When asked what makes a good coach, Dawid Barczynski from the knowledge portal Coaching-Report in Osnabrück refers to formal qualifications in addition to technical qualifications.
You don't have to show them to be able to call yourself a "coach": Because the term is not protected, there are coaching certificates on the market that can often be bought, which often do not say much about qualifications and competence.
In order to avoid charlatans in the coaching world, Barczynski recommends paying attention to membership in a coaching association or an existing coaching training.
Free and non-binding preliminary talk
Good coaches should of course also have personal skills. According to Barczynski, this shows the legitimacy of a coach: Good coaches held a free and non-binding preliminary talk in which trust and understanding could be built up.
According to Barczynski, black sheep often urge hasty contracts to be concluded, which one should oppose and insist on thinking time. All-rounders and coaching gurus should also be treated with caution. Real experts are usually specialized. Such an initial discussion would reveal whether a coach can explain his methods sensibly and self-critically.
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