Labor Minister Petra Grimm-Benne celebrates the fourth year of the 'Assisted Training Program for Nursing Aides'

In the heart of Germany, the state of Saxony-Anhalt has launched an innovative program aimed at supporting future skilled workers in the care sector. The "Supported Training for Care Assistance" program, launched on 5 September 2025 by the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health and Equality, has demonstrated its effectiveness in improving training success and reducing dropouts.

The program, which has two main components—a network point and support provided by the Bildungs- und Beratungsinstitut GmbH (BBI)—relies on modern and supportive learning formats, including digital learning offers. Since the start of funding in 2022, 1,335 trainees have participated in the statewide supported training for care assistance.

Project Manager Nadine Stephan of the DRK network point emphasises the importance of strong partnerships between schools, facilities, and ministries in the success of the program. The network point maintains direct contact with decision-makers, promotes exchange and networking, provides specialist materials and work aids, and operates a training portal with digital offers.

The program offers individual and continuous support to trainees who face personal, geographical, social, or economic challenges during their training. Trainees in the program receive social pedagogical, linguistic, and professional support during their training. The BBI offers both support and remedial teaching, as well as social pedagogical guidance during training.

The experiences from the "Supported Training for Care Assistance" program indicate that such a support offer improves training success. The program has shown positive effects on training success and dropout prevention in a one-year model project and other training professions. It is of great interest due to the high demand for skilled workers in the care sector, and the number of new starters has been steadily increasing, from 513 in the school year 2021/22 to 840 in the school year 2024/25.

The "Supported Training for Care Assistance" program also provides additional social pedagogical support and learning aids to trainees who start their care assistance training with a lower level of education. The positive effects of the program on training success and dropout prevention have been demonstrated in various training professions.

The "Supported Training for Care Assistance" program is designed to effectively prevent dropouts in the care sector. By reducing dropout rates and winning motivated colleagues for the care sector, the program is playing a crucial role in ensuring a stable and skilled workforce in this vital industry. The program continues to support trainees who encounter difficulties during their training.

As the "Supported Training for Care Assistance" program continues to grow and evolve, it serves as a shining example of effective and innovative workforce development in the care sector.

Labor Minister Petra Grimm-Benne celebrates the fourth year of the 'Assisted Training Program for Nursing Aides'