Recognition of foreign professional qualifications
Skilled workers from outside Germany have better chances on the labour market if their professional qualifications are recognised. Now they can seek the support of the Central Service Unit for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications. Federal Labour Minister Hubertus Heil and Federal Education Minister Anja Karliczek have opened the new facility in Bonn. But what exactly is it, and what does it do?
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Official opening: Federal Education Minister Anja Karliczek and Federal Labour Minister Hubertus Heil find out more about the work of the Service Unit from Jana Braun.
Photo: picture alliance / Flashpic
"I am delighted that we are making an important contribution to integrating foreign skilled workers as swiftly as possible into the labour market thanks to the Central Service Unit for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications," said Federal Labour Hubertus Heil at the opening. Doctors, teachers and nurses coming to Germany need to have professional qualifications gained outside Germany recognised here. In other occupations it is not absolutely essential, but it is helpful when applying for a job.
Search for the right employer
Service Unit staff support foreign professionals throughout the recognition procedure. The help them get together all the necessary paperwork, inform them about advisory services available, and help them find a new employer. The services are geared in particular to people who have not yet come to Germany. They can contact advisors by e-mail, telephone or use the chat.
Service Unit has opened at just the right time
According to Federal Education Minister Anja Karliczek, the Service Unit is opening at just the right time. "Excellent skilled workers are the backbone of our economy, and many branches are looking for skilled professionals at the moment." Well trained individuals are a boon for our labour market, said Anja Karliczek. "But naturally we do have to check whether the applicants’qualifications meet our requirements." On 1 March, the Skilled Worker Immigration Act (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz) comes into effect. This Act is intended by the German government to meet the demand for skilled experts, which cannot be met by Germans or Europeans.
The Central Service Unit began work on 1 February. It is attached to the International Placement Services of the Federal Employment Agency in Bonn. For the first four years it is to be financed by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research.