Why a Trainer Certificate for Pharmaceutical-Commercial Employees (PKA) Makes Sense
Why Should One Obtain a Trainer Certificate for PKA?
- Promotion of the Skilled Labor Shortage: Many industries, including the pharmacy sector, are facing a shortage of qualified professionals. With a trainer certificate, you have the opportunity to actively participate in the training of the next generation of PKAs and thus help to address this shortage. By training young people, you ensure that qualified personnel will follow.
- Enhancement of Personal Competencies: Obtaining a trainer certificate expands your own skills. You learn to impart knowledge in a structured manner, apply pedagogical methods, and promote the learning progress of trainees. These pedagogical skills can also be useful in other areas of professional life.
- Improvement of Career Opportunities: A trainer certificate is a strong signal to potential employers that you are ready to take on responsibility and possess leadership skills. In many pharmacies, the willingness to train is seen as an important career advantage. This can also open the door to leadership positions, such as the management of the PKA department or pharmacy management.
- Further development of one's professional profile: Those who are PKA themselves know the challenges and demands of the profession very well. With a trainer's certificate, one can actively shape the professional profile of the PKA and ensure that trainees are trained in a practical manner and kept up to date with current industry standards.
- Operational advantages: Pharmacies that provide training can respond better to their personnel needs and plan for the long term. The trainer's certificate also offers an opportunity to develop qualified junior staff within one's own business, who meet the operational requirements. Additionally, this often leads to a higher commitment of trainees to the company.
What must one do to obtain the trainer's certificate?
- Professional qualification: One must have completed training as a PKA or possess a comparable qualification. Typically, work experience in the respective field is expected.
- Preparation course: To optimally prepare for the trainer aptitude examination, a preparatory course is usually attended. This course imparts the necessary pedagogical, legal, and organizational knowledge required for training trainees. Topics such as training planning, legal aspects, communication, and the role of the trainer are intensively addressed.
- Trainer qualification exam (AEVO): The most important step to obtaining the training certificate is passing the trainer qualification exam according to the Trainer Qualification Regulation (AEVO). This consists of a written and a practical part, where the ability to train must be demonstrated. The exam is usually taken before the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).
- Practical experience: Many pharmacies prefer that future trainers already have several years of professional experience. This ensures that the trainer is competent both in terms of expertise and familiar with the workflows in the pharmacy.
Benefits for a pharmacy management assistant (PKA) with a training certificate
- Professional development: The training certificate offers PKAs the opportunity to advance within their profession and take on more responsible positions. This can lead to higher respect within the team as well as positively impact financial aspects.
- Increased job security: PKAs with a training certificate are in higher demand, as pharmacies need trainers to educate future employees. This leads to greater job security and more stable career prospects.
- Improved leadership skills: As a trainer, one develops leadership qualities that are also helpful in other areas of the pharmacy. This experience can serve as a springboard for further career steps, such as moving towards a managerial position.
- Networking and further training opportunities: As a trainer, one often has better access to networks and continuing education opportunities.This opens up new opportunities for personal and professional development.
Overall, the trainer certificate for pharmacy assistants (PKAs) offers a valuable opportunity to advance one's career and make an important contribution to the training of qualified specialists in the field of pharmacy. The effort required to obtain the trainer certificate is worthwhile both personally and for the business.
