Germany: Berlin wants to introduce a one-year leave period for further education and training

Germany is preparing to introduce a system of continuing education for employees that has at its centre a one-year training leave opportunity, during which time the employee’s salary will be partially covered by the state. Opinion across the social partners is divided with some arguing that 12 months is too long for SMEs to be able to apply the leave and others arguing that 12 months is too short a time period to meaningfully accommodate a career change.