A Forsa study indicated that more than 75% of the working population would accept vocational training as opposed to a salary increase. Vocational training is especially appealing when it results in a greater position in the company. Achieving a certificate creates a further incentive, as well as the perspective that the abilities learned can often be also used successfully in private life.

Structured training concepts can't only be found in large enterprises. They can be put into practice successfully in small businesses that have no personnel division. The example below shows the successful implementation of an internal certification:

The German painting company 'Malerweiss' has 20 employees that usually work at 8 to 10 different construction sites. The customers happen to be within a radius of 50 km or about 30 miles. "I can't be everywhere," business proprietor Joachim Weiss explains. "At each construction site, I need a team leader who takes responsibility - not just for technical matters but also as far as leading employees and handling customer concerns." Two years ago he implemented an internal certification for 'Malerweiss Team Leader' in order to achieve a more suitable qualification of his employees. Over a one-year period, master craftsmen and future team leaders attend a certification-training programme with different training modules.

Certification Modules of Certification 'Malerweiss Team Leader'

Technical education by internal training with suppliers

Orientation training about internal organisation procedures

Fundamentals of operational management by company owner

Customer-oriented services

Effective self-management

Fundamentals of personnel management

Training and coaching techniques

Motivation and employee retention

Modules 4 to 8 are increasingly being delivered by his external Business Training Company.

The certificate of construction - http://software.muz.ifsuldeminas.edu.br:8080/nathanjoyce is presented by the business proprietor in front of the complete team. "The certification of my team leaders has had a positive impact through the business," Joachim Weiss reports. "My employees were already technically competent. But when it came to leading and motivating the employees at the construction site and presenting our company directly to the costumer, we have had problems within the past. People don't learn this at school. My team leaders tend to be more self-confident after achieving the certification. They earn more respect from their peers and customers." Team leaders become highly motivated and want to remain with our company.

The model of internal certification can be utilized for almost every company.

Certification for supervisors, for service employees as well as for sales personnel are just several possibilities. The combination of technical and personal training is very important.