Further training with certificates of Fraunhofer

In addition to applied research, the promotion of education and further training in technical and economic fields is a central task of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. The Fraunhofer Personnel Certification Authority provides the institutes of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft with the organizational and personnel framework to ensure high-quality examinations and certifications of further training participants.

The Fraunhofer Personnel Certification Authority certifies graduates' acquired qualifications in accordance with the requirements of DIN EN ISO 17024. The certificates attest to objectively proven competence, relevant, innovative practical knowledge, and practical experience in the respective areas of continuing education.

Certification of individuals provides further training providers of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft with objective proof of the competencies imparted and thus confirmation of the quality of their teaching. The development of a joint certificate by the Fraunhofer Institutes providing further training and the Fraunhofer Personnel Certification Authority also sets a benchmark in the field of German and international further training and certification for professional (further) qualification in the respective field.

According to ISO 17024, essential quality standards of a Certification Authority are "objectivity", "impartiality" and "non-discrimination" in examinations and certifications. This is guaranteed by the Fraunhofer Personnel Certification Authority through the strict organizational and personnel separation between further training and examination as well as certification. This also enables the standard-compliant awarding of Fraunhofer certificates for participants in further training courses of Fraunhofer.

Compliance with the normative requirements is ensured by the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS). The DAkkS is the national accreditation body of the Federal Republic of Germany. It annually audits the conformity of the work processes of the Fraunhofer Personnel Certification Authority with the specifications of ISO 17024 as well as the quality of the examination and certification services in the accredited field of "Usability Engineering, Level A".

High quality certificates through objective quality management

The Fraunhofer Personnel Certification Authority ensures the relevance and innovative content of the examination content by combining research, practical and innovative expertise. To this end, the Fraunhofer Personnel Certification Authority is monitored and advised by a Certification Advisory Council with representatives from industry, universities and relevant bodies.

For each Fraunhofer further training program in which a Fraunhofer certificate can be obtained, a separate expert committee is installed with neutral representatives from science and industry. This committee determines the content of the examinations and also ensures that the examination content always takes account of current requirements in practice.