How do I close a skill gap for a career change?

Three approaches — combine them strategically. (1) Formal training: IHK certificates, university courses, bootcamps (6-12 months). Cedefop: Certificates measurably increase employability. (2) Practical projects: Open-source contributions, freelance projects, volunteering in the target industry. WEF: Demonstrated practical experience is increasingly weighted more highly than formal qualifications. (3) Positioning: Frame transferable skills so the gap appears smaller ('5 years of data analysis in marketing — now Data Analyst'). ILO: Lifelong learning is the structural response — BA supports further training via Bildungsgutschein. Timeline: Six months of targeted upskilling is often sufficient for an initial career move.