The prevention service of training

As part of their generic prevention mandate and training mandate under Sections 14 (1) and 23 respectively of Volume VII of the German Social Code, the German Social Accident Insurance Institutions and their umbrella association, the DGUV, offer a wealth of training measures. Topics relevant to workplace prevention activity are addressed in a practical way in over 20,000 seminars. The German Social Accident Insurance Institutions are among the largest providers of training and education in Germany, delivering training to some 350,000 individuals each year.

The purpose of the training measures is to raise the trainees' awareness of safety and health issues at a practical level in their respective sectors, and to equip them with the skills needed for completion of their workplace prevention tasks. The training is focused upon the skills and abilities needed for efficient and effective completion of these tasks. It includes communication of knowledge of hazards and causes of accidents, work-related health hazards, means of intervention, workplace prevention strategies, and scope for effective organization of safety. The individual accident insurance institutions and the DGUV have together formed the QVQ "Training" quality association (Webcode d101144) for quality assurance of the initial and further training provision.

The prevention service of training is aimed in particular at OSH professionals (Webcode d32910), safety delegates, first-aiders and occupational physicians; initial and further training is however available for all other groups of persons responsible for assuring safety and health at the workplace, such as members of works councils. The training provided by the accident insurance institutions and the DGUV is quality-controlled and is based upon a consistent training philosophy that is characterized by its relevance to the world of work, skills orientation, lifelong learning, autonomous learning, and active learning processes driven by the trainees themselves.

Training is generally provided at no cost to the companies and insured individuals. The accident insurance institutions are legally obliged to bear the costs directly associated with their training measures (for example the costs of training materials and trainers) and the costs of travel, board and lodging. Where training courses for first-aiders are conducted by third parties rather than by the accident insurance institutions themselves, the course fees are paid by the accident insurance institutions. Remuneration for the working time lost through attendance of the training is paid in full by the employer. The employee is released from his or her duties on full pay for the duration of the training measure.