Made in Germany · ISO 27001 · GDPR-compliant
AZAV-compliant seminar management for subsidized continuing education
Take advantage of subsidized training programs
Education providers that wish to offer programs through education vouchers (Section 81 of SGB III) or AVGS (Section 45 of SGB III) need AZAV certification—and a software infrastructure that can meet the associated verification and documentation requirements. SoftDeCC Seminar Management supports educational providers in this process: from program documentation and audit preparation to GDPR-compliant participant management.
This page explains the certification requirements set forth by AZAV, the documentation obligations that apply to training providers, and how SoftDeCC’s AZAV-compliant seminar management system reliably handles the administrative workload associated with subsidized continuing education programs—from training administration to billing funding agencies.
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AZAV Funding
Requirements for Education Providers Offering Subsidized Continuing Education Programs
In order for an educational provider to be authorized to offer subsidized continuing education programs, certain criteria must be met. These requirements pertain to the institutional prerequisites of the provider as well as the content-related and organizational aspects of each individual educational program.
Who is eligible for funding?
Target Audiences and Funding Models
Various groups of people can benefit from subsidized continuing education programs, each with its own funding model:
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Job seekers: The largest user group. Education vouchers from the Employment Agency or the Job Center fund programs that support a return to the labor market.
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Retraining participants: Particularly relevant in the context of a shortage of skilled workers and structural change; supported through retraining vouchers.
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People Returning to Work: Individuals returning to work after parental leave or caregiving breaks receive special support to help them reintegrate into the workforce.
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Employees in SMEs (WeGebAU): Supports training initiatives in small and medium-sized enterprises.
How is compensation paid?
Funding Models
Eligible areas of education include, among others, IT training, marketing courses, job application coaching, business start-up consulting, integration coaching, and logistics and driver training.
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Education Voucher (Section 81 of SGB III): Covers the full cost of continuing education if it is recognized as necessary for vocational reintegration.
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Activation and Placement Voucher (AVGS) (Section 45 of Book III of the Social Code): Funds measures designed to improve integration prospects, such as job application training or coaching.
Azav Accreditation
Provider Approval and Program Approval Pursuant to Section 178 of SGB III and AZAV
In order to bill for continuing education programs through the Employment Agency or the Job Center, training providers must obtain AZAV certification (Accreditation and Certification Ordinance for Employment Promotion).
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Accreditation of the educational institution: Certifies that the educational institution is reliable, qualified, and financially stable. Requires an established quality management system and proof of personnel and financial viability.
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Program Approval: Each individual continuing education program must be certified separately. Approval is generally valid for three years; the competent authority conducts annual spot checks. The program’s costs are calculated based on the Federal Average Cost Rate (BDKS).
Measurable Results
SoftDeCC Seminar Management by the Numbers
YOUR PATH TO AZAV ACCREDITATION
AZAV Certification Process: Steps and Requirements
The approval process under the AZAV is strictly regulated and ensures that only qualified providers are permitted to carry out subsidized measures.
Requirements for Educational Providers
a) Provider certification under AZAV (Section 2(2) of AZAV)
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Financial Capacity and Reliability (Section 2(2) of the AZAV): Financial and personnel stability must be documented through financial records—even in the event of delayed grant payments.
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Appropriate facilities (Section 2(4) of the AZAV): Premises, IT infrastructure, and specialized equipment must be appropriate for the planned measures.
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Quality Management System: Compliance with recognized standards such as DIN EN ISO 9001 or LQW (Learner-Oriented Quality in Continuing Education) must be demonstrated.
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Appointment of a competent body (Section 5 AZAV): A body accredited by the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS) conducts the certification process.
Requirements for Training Programs
b) Approval of measures under the AZAV (Section 8 of the AZAV)
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Focus on Learning Objectives (Section 8 of the AZAV): Clearly defined learning objectives that demonstrably contribute to integration into the labor market are mandatory.
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Ongoing and Final Assessments: Learning progress must be documented—through exams, practical exercises, or feedback sessions.
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Cost Estimate (BDKS): The costs of the measure are calculated based on the federal average cost rate.
Checklist
Documents Required for AZAV Provider Certification
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Corporate documentation (extracts from the commercial register, articles of association)
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Financial Stability (Balance Sheets, Income Statements)
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Quality Assurance System (QM Manual, e.g., DIN EN ISO 9001 or LQW)
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Teacher Qualifications
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Facilities and Equipment (including fire safety).
Documentation and Quality Requirements
Challenges in the AZAV Approval Process
AZAV certification is not a one-time effort. Education providers face ongoing, complex documentation and quality requirements that are difficult to scale without the right software.
Documentation Requirements
• Participant lists and data: Attendance records, academic records, individual learning progress
• Academic records: Exam results, evaluation reports, completion certificates
• Reports for the Employment Agency: Regular progress and completion reports
Quality Assurance
• Internal audits to verify ongoing AZAV compliance
• External audits: at least once a year by the competent body
Participant Management and Communication
Attendance records, certificates, and feedback forms must be carefully maintained—in addition to ongoing communication with participants and the employment agency.
Documents Required for AZAV Provider Certification
• Proof of participation and attendance
• Evidence of learning progress and educational achievement (test results, certificates, evaluation forms)
• Contract documents and grant award notifications
• Interim and final reports, including participant feedback
Requirements for Seminar Administration
AZAV-compliant seminar management for subsidized continuing education programs
| Function | What SoftDeCC Seminar Management Does |
|---|---|
| Education Voucher Administration | Digital recording and management of vouchers pursuant to Section 81 of SGB III and AVGS pursuant to Section 45 of SGB III |
| AZAV Measure Documentation) | Record learning objectives, progress checks, and final assessments in full and in a manner suitable for auditing, in accordance with § 8 AZAV |
| Automated Participant Documentation | Digital attendance lists, participation certificates, and certificates at the click of a button |
| Audit-Proof Data Management | GDPR-Compliant Storage with Access Logs for Audits |
| Billing Management | Automated billing documents for funding agencies (Employment Agency, Job Center) |
| Audit Preparation | All audit-related document packages can be exported at any time |
| Quality Assurance Modules | Evaluation Forms, Feedback System, and Quality Management Documentation |
| Interfaces | Integration with HR systems, government portals, and external data exchange formats |
Important: It is not the implementation itself, but rather the ability to provide complete and verifiable documentation that is relevant for audits. Data protection supervisory authorities and state audit offices require centralized, immutable documentation.
Checklist
Key Software Features for AZAV Training Providers
This checklist helps education providers select the appropriate seminar management software for AZAV-funded continuing education programs and ensure that their processes remain compliant over the long term.
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Certification Management – Document management for AZAV documentation, automatic reminders for upcoming certifications/audits
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Education Voucher and AVGS Administration – Digital Voucher Recording (Section 81/Section 45 of SGB III), Mapping of All Funding Models
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Participant Management – Data Management, Attendance Tracking, Automated Certificate Generation
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AZAV Measure Documentation – Course Management in Accordance with Section 8 of the AZAV, Performance Evaluation
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Billing Functions – Automated Invoicing for Payers, Financial Reporting
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Reporting and Analytics – Real-Time Dashboards, Reporting Tools for Cost Centers
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Quality Assurance – Feedback System, Complete Audit Documentation
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Data Protection and Security – GDPR Compliance, Audit-Proof, Role-Based Access Rights
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User-Friendliness – Intuitive Interface, Mobile Accessibility
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Support and Training – Customer Support, Webinars, and Tutorials
Learn more now
Ready for AZAV-compliant seminar management?
Get a free, no-obligation consultation. In just 30 minutes, you’ll learn what SoftDeCC Seminar Management can do for subsidized continuing education programs.
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Over 25 Years of Expertise
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Made in Germany
References
What Our Customers Say
Quality & Reliability
YASKAWA has been a customer and user ofTCmanager® since 2015. After an extensive search for a management tool for our training and continuing education division, we are now, following its implementation, glad that we chose SoftDeCC. It quickly becomes clear that this software was specifically designed for training and qualification management. We’re discovering far more capabilities than we initially required or expected. We’re confident thatTCmanager® will help us position our training programs well for the future and improve our efficiency and quality.
Torben Schäfer
Manager, YASKAWA ACADEMY
, YASKAWA Europe GmbH
A Reliable Partnership
TCmanager LMS offers everything you would expect from a software tool for training centers. Today, our extensive training offerings for our service and sales partners and customers are optimally supported worldwide by training portals tailored to specific target groups and countries. The management of schedules, bookings, and resources is logically structured and intuitive to use. Reports can be generated quickly and clearly at any time. SoftDeCC is our reliable partner, with whom we will continue to manage our in-person training and e-learning offerings in the future.
Julia Tillmann
Head of the Training Center at
Maschinenfabrik Bernard Krone GmbH & Co. KG
Support, Customizations, New Features
Hella Academy provides technical training to repair shops and retail partners on our products, as well as on specialized topics such as “Hybrid & High-Voltage” and driver assistance systems. Since 2015, we have been a satisfied customer and user of the TCmanager<sup>®</sup> LMS. We are particularly impressed by the support time and again. Any customizations or new features we request for the application’s functionality are implemented smoothly and help us in serving our customers.
Mark Schulte
Head of Training,
Hella Gutmann Solutions GmbH
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs on AZAV Certification and Seminar Management
What is AZAV certification, and who needs it?
AZAV certification (Regulation on Accreditation and Certification for Employment Promotion) is a mandatory requirement for training providers who wish to bill for programs using training vouchers (§ 81 SGB III) or AVGS (§ 45 SGB III). Without provider and program accreditation, no funding will be disbursed by the Employment Agency or Job Center.
How long is an AZAV measure approval valid?
AZAV measure approvals are generally valid for three years. During this period, the competent authority conducts annual spot checks. An application for renewal must be submitted before the approval expires. SoftDeCC Seminar Management keeps all documentation required for renewal readily available at all times.
What documents must be submitted for AZAV provider certification?
The following are required: corporate structure and mission statement, a quality management system (e.g., DIN EN ISO 9001 or LQW), proof of instructors’ qualifications, financial documents demonstrating financial stability, and AZAV-compliant participant contracts.
Can SoftDeCC Seminar Management fully meet the AZAV documentation requirements?
Yes. Attendance lists, certificates of participation, records of learning progress, and billing documents are recorded digitally in an audit-proof manner. All documents can be exported at any time for audits by the competent authority.
Does the software support the processing of education vouchers in accordance with § 81 of SGB III?
Yes. Education vouchers under Section 81 of SGB III and AVGS under Section 45 of SGB III are administered, the progress of programs is documented, and billing documents are prepared for the Employment Agency.
How does the software prepare educational providers for AZAV audits?
All data relevant to the audit is stored in an audit-proof manner; reports, participant lists, and certificates can be generated at the click of a button. Document packages relevant to auditors can be exported directly from the system.
