Support for developing Individual Learning Accounts in Germany

Labour market shifts—driven by decarbonisation, digitalisation, and demographic change—are reshaping skill demands, making some obsolete while creating the need for new ones. To stay competitive, adults must continually upskill and reskill. Yet, the Adult Education Survey shows low training participation in Germany, especially among low-skilled workers, caregivers, migrants, older adults, and those in atypical jobs. To address this gap, the German Federal Government plans to launch Individual Learning Accounts, offering low-income individuals dedicated training budgets. This initiative aligns with the 2022 Council Recommendation on Individual Learning Accounts.

This project will:

• Identify gaps in Germany’s adult learning system that can be addressed through Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs), 

• Draw lessons from international ILA models and promote peer learning through expert workshops and study visits

• Based on the collected evidence, provide tailored recommendations on the design and piloting of ILAs in Germany.  

The project will be finalised by April 2026 and its results presented at a public concluding event in Germany.

As part of this project, the OECD published a practical guide for policymakers on the implementation of ILAs. The report is expected to be relevant for policymakers beyond Germany.