An inspiring learning journey at the Federal Employment Agency

A tailor-made program to strengthen leadership skills in times of change

 

Since 2009, the Federal Employment Agency (BA) has successfully qualified and trained team leaders with its "In Führung gehen" (IFG) program. However, after more than a decade, the program no longer met the requirements of contemporary leadership training. Due to far-reaching changes such as digitalisation, flexible working models and new leadership requirements, a comprehensive modernisation was necessary in order to achieve the program's overarching goal: to prepare managers for their demanding tasks in the best possible way. After all, this is an essential prerequisite for productive and smooth collaboration throughout the entire organisation. Teams are their most important cell.

Since its reform (2003-2007), the BA has invested particularly consistently in the further training of its employees. The qualification of managers plays a particularly important role here. The IFG program was created 13 years ago to prepare team leaders for their leadership role. When revising the content and didactics of the IFG program, the aim from the outset was to rethink a tried-and-tested program from the ground up. To ensure that it meets the BA's transformation challenges and helps managers to lead effectively and efficiently.

With the support of undconsorten and Dr. Thomas Tillmann, the IFG program was completely overhauled. The seven separate attendance weekends of the previous program have been replaced by a comprehensive blended learning concept. The learning journey of the new IFG program effectively combines face-to-face modules with digital learning components and modern methods such as social learning.

The flexible learning journey of the new program creates a varied and practical learning experience through the integration of different formats. Practical case studies that demonstrate concrete applications in everyday working life replace pure theory. Traditional classroom teaching has been abolished in favour of interactive social learning elements to promote exchange and collaboration among participants. The previous lists of topics for the learning journey have been replaced by an inspiring narrative with the metaphor of a learning expedition. This supports the learning process in the long term, as the content is packaged in exciting and motivating stories.

These innovations enable a flexible learning process that both takes into account the principles of adult learning and promotes practical application in the day-to-day work of managers.

The revised IFG program includes:

  • Relevant content: Integration of strategically important topics such as digitalisation, change management, agility and creativity, through co-creation with the internal trainer:s, tailored to the specific leadership challenges at BA.
  • Blended learning concept: Linking classroom modules with self-guided and digital learning components to create a comprehensive learning journey with a clear common thread.
  • Modern learning methods: A balanced mix of interactive knowledge impulses, exercises, and discussion and exchange formats, as well as the use of innovative methods such as Lego Serious Play and art interventions.
  • Self-organised learning and networking: Promotion of personal responsibility and strengthening of cross-departmental cooperation through mixed learning cohorts and documentation in the BA's Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Integration into the existing learning cosmos: Creation of a collaboration area for the learning cohort as a repository and platform for exchange in the BA's LMS.
  • Supervisors and trainers as learning coaches: Involving supervisors and training internal trainers to become continuous learning facilitators.

The program makes a decisive contribution to the sustainable transformation of the management culture within the BA and supports managers in better managing their tasks in an increasingly digital environment.

"Our aim was to provide the team leaders with standardised, high-quality training on the topic of 'Getting started in leadership'. With the new blended learning concept, we have achieved this wonderfully."

Robert Winter
Managing Director of the Leadership Academy

Facts about the institution

The Federal Employment Agency (BA) provides services for the labour market, in particular job placement and employment promotion, and, as the administrative body of the German unemployment insurance system, regulates financial compensation benefits, e.g. unemployment benefit. The BA is a federal public corporation with self-administration and is subject to legal supervision by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. Since its reform in 2003, the BA has consistently invested in the further development of its strategy, organisation and processes. With transparent management and consistent digitalisation, it is unlocking potential for its customers. As part of its transformation, the BA is currently setting itself the ambitious goal of becoming one of the leading public organisations in Europe. With its comprehensive range of services and around 113,000 employees, the Federal Employment Agency is probably the most important partner for jobseekers, employees and companies in Germany.

Highlights

 

Transfer to everyday management

The IFG program uses a combination of on-the-job, on-the-job and off-the-job learning elements to promote the transfer of what has been learned into the team leader's day-to-day management activities.

Transfer to everyday management

1. Customized content: Learning objectives and ideas for content are validated in focus groups and thus reflect the leadership topics that are particularly relevant for team leaders and their environment.

2. Reflection in peer groups: Collegial case consultations and learning groups offer a protected space to reflect on experiences and build a sustainable learning community.

3. Inspirational podcast: A podcast series with interviews with BA executives who share their experiences illustrates the practical benefits of what they have learned in the BA.

 

4. Trainers with business experience: BA internal trainers, who themselves know the challenges of team leadership, provide practical training and a direct link to everyday management.

 

5. Practical case study: A realistic case study accompanies the learners throughout the learning journey and invites them to contribute their own experiences and exchange ideas.

6. Leadership logbook: Through reflection questions and transfer tasks, learners gather personal insights and possible applications for everyday leadership.

 

7. Leadership toolbox: All the models and tools taught during the six-month learning journey are summarized in a handbook and available at any time.

 

Versatile mix of methods for sustainable learning

In order to make the IFG learning journey appealing and varied for all types of learners, many new and creative formats are introduced. This allows us to cater specifically to the needs of the participants and provide innovative impetus. It also has the additional effect that the trainers can expand their toolbox of methods. Sometimes surprising formats and content provide wow elements that deliberately set accents. This break with the team leaders' usual environment, with the support of undconsorten, ensures that the content actually catches on.

Here are some examples of formats that go down particularly well with team leaders:

Fuck-up Night
Guest speakers
Gamification
Art interventions
Learning from analogies

Broadening perspectives - further topics

Successful organisations are characterised by a common direction, effective positioning, committed employees, efficient managers, high-performing teams, a constructive culture and experience with change. These characteristics are closely interlinked and reinforce each other.

Leadership

Organisational structures only develop their full potential through the commitment and enthusiasm of employees. This is where managers play a decisive role: they are the sparkplugs who, together with their teams, shape a dynamic work culture from rigid guidelines. With a holistic approach, we integrate these aspects into the success factors of excellent organisations and thus create sustainable results.

more

 

 

Change management

Successful changes in organisations go far beyond the implementation of plans - they require an adjustment in people's behaviour and cooperation. Whether a change of strategy, restructuring or acquisition: the key to success lies in winning over all those involved for the change and integrating them sustainably. Find out more about how we organise and support change processes in a targeted manner.

more

Corporate Learning

In a time of constant change, the development towards a "learning organisation" is becoming a decisive target vision for companies. Corporate learning plays a key role in paving the way for this transformation. The progress made in recent years shows how effective modern approaches to learning can be - and helps to bring clarity to the jungle of current buzzwords. Discover how corporate learning can make your organisation fit for the future.

more

Talk to us

Do you have any questions or are you interested in working with undconsorten? Together we can discuss how we can make your organisation more successful with a holistic approach and functional expertise with a focus on sustainability, implementation and efficiency.

Our experts look forward to hearing from you!


Dr. Axel Sauder
Dr. Axel Sauder
Partner

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York von Negenborn
York von Negenborn
Associate Principal

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