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Qualification to become
Safety Specialist
3.0

Fee: €9,500 | Location: Cologne

Find the right date now

Become a Safety Specialist 3.0 (SiFa 3.0)
– Earn your specialist occupational safety expertise

Part-time in 10 months


Your future as a Safety Specialist starts here,
with DIGA Ingenieure Bildungszentrum GmbH – eligible for funding and practice-oriented.

Why become a
Safety Specialist?

Occupational safety is now a key success factor for companies and, at the same time, an excellent career opportunity for qualified professionals. With the Safety Specialist 3.0 (SiFa 3.0) qualification and by gaining specialist occupational safety expertise at DIGA Ingenieure Bildungszentrum GmbH, you secure an additional qualification that strengthens your career prospects, improves your earning potential, and makes you a key pillar in your company.

We offer you a qualification program defined by the highest quality, strong practical relevance, and personal support. As part of DIGA Ingenieure Bildungszentrum GmbH, we combine solid specialist knowledge with many years of experience in occupational health and safety for employees.

Request information with no obligation

SiFa 3.0 qualification in Cologne
part-time and flexible

Our Safety Specialist 3.0 qualification takes place in Cologne, a central location with excellent transport links in North Rhine-Westphalia. The learning concept combines in-person phases in Cologne with digital self-study phases in the SiFa learning world. This gives you an ideal mix of personal exchange and flexible time management:

  • In-person phases in Cologne – expand your knowledge with our learning coaches, work on practical case studies, and network with other participants.
  • Self-organized learning phases – via the digital SiFa learning world, you deepen the content, learn in interactive qualification courses, and have access to your learning materials at any time.

With Cologne as your location, you secure a qualification in NRW’s economic hub, in a city with excellent infrastructure and diverse career opportunities.

Funding

The participation fee for the Safety Specialist 3.0 (SiFa 3.0) qualification and gaining specialist occupational safety expertise at DIGA Ingenieure Bildungszentrum GmbH is €9,500 (0% VAT). This price includes all services you need for successful participation: the complete qualification with all learning units in Cologne, access to the SiFa learning world, comprehensive course materials, as well as the learning progress assessments and your certificate of participation for learning fields 1–5.

We know that such a qualification is a significant investment in your professional future. That’s why we support you in making the financing as simple and tailored as possible. In addition to the option of flexible installment payments, which we adjust together with you to your personal situation, there are numerous public and private funding options that can significantly reduce the costs. In many cases, employers also contribute to the financing because they benefit directly from the qualifications gained.

Our goal is to ensure that financing is not an obstacle for you. In a personal consultation, we therefore review together which grants and funding programs may apply to you and how the qualification can be implemented in the best possible way financially. This allows you to focus fully on what really matters: your qualification and career opportunities as a Safety Specialist 3.0.

FAQ Funding options
We are currently in the AZAV certification recognition process. Until then, education vouchers cannot be redeemed with us.

1Can I finance the qualification with an education voucher?
Yes, that is possible. The education voucher from the Federal Employment Agency or the Jobcenter is one of the most important public funding options for the Safety Specialist 3.0 qualification. With a valid education voucher, the full costs of the qualification can be covered. The education voucher is aimed at job seekers or people whose employment is at risk. The requirement is that the qualification is necessary to improve opportunities on the labor market.
2What is the Education Premium, and who can use it?
The Education Premium is primarily aimed at employed people with lower incomes who want to develop professionally. With this funding, the state covers up to 50% of the training costs, up to a maximum of €500. The requirement is that your annual taxable income does not exceed €20,000 (€40,000 for jointly assessed couples). The Education Premium is therefore especially intended for working people who do not want to bear the costs alone but cannot access any other major funding.
3What support is available through the WeGebAU program?
The WeGebAU program (Further Training for Low-Skilled Workers and Employed Older Employees in Companies) is specifically aimed at employees aged 45 and over, as well as people without a completed vocational qualification. Here, the Federal Employment Agency covers the training costs in part or in full. Many companies use this option to further qualify their employees while reducing costs through subsidies.
4What does Upgrading BAföG mean for the SiFa qualification?
Upgrading BAföG (formerly Meister-BAföG) is a nationwide funding program for skilled workers who want to continue their education to obtain a higher-level professional qualification. It can cover parts of the qualification costs, in some cases combined with low-interest loans. Upgrading BAföG is independent of income, although individual factors such as assets or marital status play a role in the level of funding. For many participants, it is an attractive way to secure the qualification financially.
5What private funding options are available?
In addition to public grants, there are also private funding options. These include, for example, the scholarship program for talented individuals, aimed at people who have shown above-average performance in training or in their profession. Various foundations (e.g., Stiftung Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung, political foundations) provide financial support. There are also education funds and education loans awarded by banks or private providers. These offer flexible repayment models so the qualification costs can be managed over the long term.
6Do employers support the financing?
A great many employers contribute to the costs of the qualification because they benefit directly from qualified Safety Specialists. Support may take the form of full cost coverage, a subsidy, or additional paid leave days. If you are interested in the qualification, it’s worth speaking with your employer early on. We are happy to support you in clearly presenting the benefits for your company.
7Are there special funding options for former soldiers?
Yes, through the German Armed Forces’ Career Support Service (BFD), former soldiers can finance the qualification to become a Safety Specialist. A minimum service period of four years is generally required. After ending active service, you have up to five years to begin a funded training program. The BFD covers the costs in full or in part.
8Can I deduct the qualification from my taxes?
Yes, the costs of the SiFa qualification are tax-deductible in many cases. You can claim them as work-related expenses or special expenses in your tax return. This includes not only the course fees themselves but also travel costs, accommodation, and meal allowances. Since we are exempt from VAT as an education provider, you also benefit from direct cost savings. For tax deductibility, it is important to keep all receipts and invoices carefully.

Dates

Plan your start: We regularly launch part-time qualification courses to gain specialist occupational safety expertise in Cologne. The in-person phases take place on site in Cologne; you complete the accompanying qualification flexibly in the SiFa learning world. Below you will find the next start dates. Since we work in small groups, we recommend registering early.

No date fits, or would you like an in-house program at your company? Simply send us a brief inquiry, and we’ll look into alternatives and inform you about additional course starts.

April 2026
–
January 2027

COLOGNEApril 2026 – January 2027

Qualification to become a Safety Specialist (SiFa) 3.0 – part-time

Places available

€9,500
0% VAT

Reserve now

September 2026
–
June 2027

COLOGNESeptember 2026 – June 2027

Qualification to become a Safety Specialist (SiFa) 3.0 – part-time

Places available

€9,500
0% VAT

Reserve now

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

1What is a Safety Specialist (SiFa)?
A Safety Specialist—SiFa for short—is a specially qualified person who advises employers and managers on issues of occupational safety and employees’ health at work. They help assess hazards, recommend measures to prevent workplace accidents and health risks, and support the implementation of protective measures. They also contribute to employee training and safety briefings. Safety Specialists work in an advisory and supportive capacity. They therefore make a significant contribution to promoting employees’ safety, health, and performance across all industries.
2Why is the Safety Specialist 3.0 qualification worth it?
The qualification opens up excellent career prospects, as qualified Safety Specialists are in high demand on the job market. You can work in almost all sectors of the economy, either employed or self-employed. The qualification also strengthens your specialist knowledge, sense of responsibility, and career opportunities. Many graduates report significant salary increases and expanded career opportunities.
3Can I complete the qualification alongside my job?
Yes. Our qualification is specifically designed to be compatible with an existing job. In-person phases are scheduled well in advance, and the learning content can be worked through and revisited independently via the digital learning world. This keeps the qualification planable and practical for everyday life.
4How much time per week should I plan for self-study?
That depends on your individual learning pace. The DGUV says: 20 days seminar phase (SEM), 35 days self-study phase (SOL), 35 days in-company practical phase (PRA), 5 learning progress checks (LEK). The DGUV’s SiFa learning world gives you the opportunity to work through content flexibly according to your schedule—ideal for working professionals.
5What is the SiFa learning world, and how is it used in the qualification?
The SiFa learning world is a digital learning platform that accompanies you throughout the entire qualification. It includes interactive case studies, videos, and tasks that help you deepen your knowledge. The platform also lets you track your learning progress and connect with learning coaches and other participants.
6What requirements do I need to meet to take part?
To take part in the SiFa 3.0 qualification course to gain specialist occupational safety expertise, you should ideally have a qualification as an engineer, master craftsperson, or technician. Alternatively, physicians with specialist recognition in occupational medicine or the additional qualification in occupational medicine can also participate. In addition, relevant professional experience in a suitable technical or organizational field is desirable in order to implement the learning content in a practical way. Formal work experience or completion of the stated qualification does not necessarily have to be fully in place at the time of course registration, provided there is a realistic prospect of obtaining it during the qualification course. We are happy to review your individual situation—please send us your documents, and we will get back to you regarding your eligibility to participate in the qualification course.
7Do I have to be currently employed to be allowed to participate?
An existing employment relationship is helpful but not mandatory. What matters is that you have the opportunity to implement practical content during the qualification—e.g., as part of projects or collaborations. If needed, we support you in finding suitable practical partners.
8Where does the qualification take place?
The qualification takes place in Cologne. That’s where we conduct the in-person sessions with our experienced learning coaches. In addition, you use the digital SiFa learning world to work through content flexibly from home or on the go. This combination of seminar and self-study phases offers maximum flexibility and practical relevance.
9How many participants are in a course?
We place great value on a personal learning atmosphere. That’s why we deliberately keep our groups small. As a rule, 10 to 15 people take part per course. This leaves plenty of room for questions, exchange, and individual support.
10How can you be appointed as a Safety Specialist 3.0 (SiFa 3.0)?
To be appointed as a Safety Specialist (SiFa 3.0), a qualification as an engineer, master craftsperson, or technician is generally required. Alternatively, physicians with specialist recognition in occupational medicine or with the additional qualification in occupational medicine can be appointed.
In addition, at least two years of relevant professional experience after completing the respective qualification must be demonstrated.
Another requirement for appointment is the successful completion of a recognized qualification course for Safety Specialists (SiFa 3.0), in which specialist occupational safety expertise is acquired in accordance with DGUV requirements.
In justified exceptional cases, an equivalent qualification may also be recognized—for example, with at least four years of relevant professional activity. Recognition is assessed on a case-by-case basis. We are happy to review your individual situation. Send us your documents, and we will get back to you regarding your eligibility for appointment.
11Are there options for further specialization after the SiFa qualification?
Yes. After completing the qualification, you can pursue targeted further training in areas such as fire safety, hazardous substances management, ergonomics, or health protection. Continuous professional development keeps you up to date and further increases your market value as a safety expert.

Do you still have questions?

We’ll be happy to help personally—whether about content, requirements, or dates. If you would like advice, use our contact page. If you have already decided, register directly via our booking page.



0 22 34 / 94 90 – 117

info@diga-bildungszentrum.de