INQA coaching: shape AI and automation with your team.

An employee-centred learning and change process within digital transformation. The specific scope is clarified with the advisory office and individually with us.

Yes, where AI forms part of a shared change process involving workflows, knowledge, skills or collaboration.

The responsible INQA advice centre checks the conditions and issues a coaching voucher following a positive assessment.

Yes. We are INQA coaches and guide your company and employees through the change process. To start funded coaching, you need a valid coaching voucher from the responsible INQA advisory centre.

Coaching is funded. This does not finance software licences or technical development. Buying software is not a prerequisite for our coaching; existing tools are considered when exploring solutions.

We plan a period of 5–7 months with up to twelve coaching days and working phases within the business. The coaching voucher and applicable conditions govern the process; the official maximum duration is seven months.

An appropriate employee group must be actively involved. Participation is defined during the process.

You agree payment processing and payment terms with us. The INQA advisory office accompanies and oversees the coaching process. The granting authority decides on reimbursement under the funding procedure based on the required evidence. Funding follows a reimbursement principle: your business first pays the coaching costs; reimbursement follows completion and review of the evidence. Under the guideline, the gross amount may be eligible where input VAT cannot be reclaimed.

Yes. A suitable topic could be how your team manages international product data, multilingual service and handovers between shop and ERP. The focus is on work organisation, skills and shared testing; buying or programming a shop is not a coaching goal in itself.

The lab team tests agreed changes in real workflows, gathers feedback and prepares the next review. Coaching days do not replace this internal work. We plan the scope and available time together.

No. Your business need is the starting point. We examine existing systems and first clarify which working practice should improve. Tool selection and technical integration follow that need; additional services are agreed separately.

Coaching generally takes place in the business. Digital sessions are possible where technically and organisationally suitable and where no participating employee is excluded. We agree the format to suit your team and programme requirements.

The German INQA programme requires both company headquarters and a workplace in Germany. A German-language website or customers in Germany alone are not sufficient. For businesses outside Germany, we can discuss support without promising this funding.

For an AI use case, we clarify with the team which data is needed, who has access and which outputs require human review. Confidential information and professional responsibility are considered within the workflow; coaching does not replace legal advice.

Your team continues the action plan with named owners. We record what has been tested and what still needs implementation. Further support, licences or technical development can be agreed separately if needed.

INQA stands for Initiative Neue Qualität der Arbeit, the German initiative for a new quality of work. The programme is funded by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the European Social Fund Plus. The regional INQA advisory office assesses access and supports the procedure; Deutsche Rentenversicherung Knappschaft-Bahn-See (KBS) decides on approval and reimbursement.

Yes. You do not need to use AI already. We start with your workflows, bottlenecks and experience, then explore with your team whether AI, automation or clearer responsibilities would help. If employees already use AI informally, shared rules and responsible data handling can be a starting point.

For example, twelve eligible days at €1,200 net each amount to €14,400 net in fees. If an 80 percent grant is approved, this means €11,520 in funding and a €2,880 own contribution. You initially pay the full invoice. VAT and any ineligible additional costs must be considered separately; this calculation is not a binding quotation.

Your company is the applicant. Registration, the expression of interest and the subsequent funding and reimbursement application use the Z-EU-S funding portal. The INQA advisory office supports the procedure. Plan for evidence of company size, eligibility, de minimis aid, and delivery and payment of the coaching. Before starting, clarify the documents and deadlines that apply to you with the advisory office.

No. The voucher permits an early start at your own risk and does not replace a binding grant approval. After completion, KBS checks the requirements and results. Incomplete evidence or failure to meet conditions or deadlines can jeopardise reimbursement. Resolve open questions with the INQA advisory office before starting and plan for prefinancing.

A reasoned decision against a particular tool can also be a useful outcome. What matters is the agreed need for change, active employee participation and documented results. We assess suitable solutions without making a software purchase a prerequisite. Clarify with the INQA advisory office whether your specific project meets the funding conditions.

Under the current funding guideline, companies that have already participated in the INQA-Coaching programme are excluded from participating again. A new topic or a different coach therefore does not qualify for a second grant. Disclose any previous participation to the INQA advisory office during the initial consultation.

The guideline excludes businesses and freelancers working as business or management consultants in personnel policy or work organisation. Eligibility therefore cannot be promised across the board for coaches, agencies or other consulting businesses. Explain your actual activities to the INQA advisory office, which assesses eligibility.

Book a conversation through our calendar. We discuss your bottleneck, the departments involved and a possible coaching topic. The formal eligibility assessment then takes place at the responsible INQA advisory office.