Migration and international vocational education and training cooperation

As in the preceding years, the shortage of skilled workers on the labour market and the recruitment of qualified persons from abroad were key issues in Germany’s international cooperation activities in 2023. The current and possible future role of international VET cooperation was one of the most prominent topics of debate, including during a special anniversary event to mark “10 years of the Federal Government Strategy”. Both within the scope of the anniversary event and at meetings of the Round Table, policy making stakeholders directed their interest towards how international VET cooperation and migration can be considered collectively. Key topics in this regard were how beneficial effects can also be generated for the countries of origin and how training abroad can take place in a way which enables the qualifications obtained to be put to use on the German labour market.

The issue of securing skilled labour was also considerably reflected in the enquiries received by GOVET. There was a sharp increase in the number of requests in this context, mostly regarding employment migration and migration for the purpose of training in Germany, as well as transnational skills partnerships. Around 80 specific queries relating to these topics were received by GOVET in 2023, 69 of these came from abroad. The main sources were institutional stakeholders involved in policy making, public administration, civil society organisations, and trade and industry. GOVET collaborated closely with the “Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications” division at BIBB to provide guidance on issues within the context of training abroad, transnational training partnerships, legal provisions governing immigration, entry to Germany for the purpose of training, and professional recognition.

In order to meet this demand adequately, GOVET has established expert dialogues and also conducted a virtual seminar entitled “Training measures abroad as part of the acquisition of skilled workers for Germany”. The seminar featured expert input and also presented national and international experiences with the aims of supporting knowledge transfer and providing stakeholders with suggestions for their own practice. Worldwide, around 80 participants took part in this online event. Due to high demand GOVET will repeat the seminar in 2024.

In order to assist with the practical implementation of immigration for the purpose of training and to address the need for orientation and guidance among organisations as set out above, GOVET was also involved in helping to draw up the BIBB publication “Entry to Germany for the purpose of training – opportunities and challenges relating to the targeted acquisition, preparation and integration of trainees from third countries”. The paper was published in February 2024.

Transnational skills partnerships (also referred to as transnational training partnerships) are instruments for attracting or developing a supply of skilled workers for the German labour market. Such partnerships are also gaining in significance as instruments for securing skilled labour supply for the labour markets of partner countries or countries of origin. In 2023, GOVET took part in Denkfabrik für transnationale Skills Partnerships (translated as “transnational skills partnerships think tank”) with a view to contributing expertise on international VET cooperation. Experience, know-how and established structures and processes which may be essential in terms of shaping skills partnerships were all of particular relevance within this context. The Denkfabrik is a stakeholder process which aims to network relevant stakeholders in the area and to secure, analyse and evaluate knowledge levels and empirical experiences within a systematic and participative procedure. The intention is for this to serve as a basis for the development and publicising of strategies and action plans for the improvement of general conditions (e.g. financing, recognition of credentials). The Denkfabrik was initiated as a learning and dialogue platform for stakeholders by the Bertelsmann Foundation in December 2022 and is expected to end in the summer of 2024.