Migration and recognition of professional qualifications

Skilled crafts occupations are in demand and offer solid career opportunities. Many skilled crafts businesses are open to employing people from diverse cultural backgrounds and value the range of experiences and perspectives they bring.

People with a migration background who want to settle in Germany will sooner or later start a career. The skilled crafts offer good opportunities for starting a career and for vocational training. Skilled crafts occupations are in demand and offer solid career opportunities. Many skilled crafts businesses are open to employing people from diverse cultural backgrounds and value the range of experiences and perspectives they bring.

However, before immigrants can start a career, they need to learn the language, have their vocational qualifications assessed, build professional contacts, and more. Overcoming these challenges takes commitment, willingness to pursue further training, and adaptability. The best way to do this is with hands-on support. Therefore, the Leipzig Chamber of Skilled Crafts supports people with a migration background in achieving their goals in Germany.

Recognition of foreign vocational qualifications

Syrian dental technician, Moroccan plumber, Ukrainian baker … foreign-trained professionals who want to settle in Germany often face the problem that employers cannot easily assess their foreign professional qualifications.

The Leipzig Chamber of Skilled Crafts assesses vocational qualifications in the skilled crafts sector that were obtained abroad. This makes them comparable with German qualifications. The basis for the recognition procedure is the ‘Act to improve the assessment and recognition of foreign professional qualifications’ (Berufsqualifikationsfeststellungsgesetz – BQFG).

Target group

People with vocational qualifications acquired abroad

Criteria

foreign vocational qualification in the skilled crafts
work experience in skilled crafts occupations
Residence in the Leipzig Chamber district (city of Leipzig, Leipzig district or Nordsachsen district)

Objective

The aim of the recognition procedure is to make foreign vocational qualifications comparable for skilled crafts businesses and thus enable migrants to enter the skilled crafts sector
Support and guidance through the application process
Make skilled workers’ potential visible and promote their careers
Mitigate the skilled labour shortage

Support during the recognition procedure
Advice on the skilled crafts sector in Germany and on reference occupations
Information on funding and financing options

Further information

Welcome Guides (Willkommenslotsen)

Especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), it can initially be challenging to integrate refugees into day-to-day operations. Where can businesses find suitable applicants for their apprenticeships? How can migrants be prepared for vocational training?

The ‘Welcome Guides’ project supports skilled crafts businesses free of charge with integration and with building a welcoming culture. Companies can obtain advice on legal frameworks, possible administrative steps, and funding and support programmes. The Welcome Guides also advise on language support, residence status and qualification needs. Even after a vacancy has been successfully filled, the Guides remain available as contacts.

Target group

Skilled crafts businesses that are open and want to attract new apprentices and skilled workers. Employers receive individual support for matching with refugees.

Criteria

Member businesses of the Leipzig Chamber of Skilled Crafts
Migrants with access to the labour market

Drawing up requirement profiles for apprentices or employees together with companies
Individual support for matching companies and applicants
Conducting preliminary interviews with migrants on training occupations and prerequisites
Support during vocational training
Advice on legal frameworks, administrative steps, and regional and national funding and support programmes
Reducing uncertainty and misunderstandings
Developing a welcoming culture in the company
Sustainable strengthening of the regional labour market

The project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE).

Further information

Are you unsure who is responsible for your enquiry? Then please contact us at migration@hwk-leipzig.de.

Weiterführende Themen

Willkommenslotsen – Bindeglied zwischen Ausbildungssuchenden und Handwerksbetrieben

Das Programm mit den Modulen »Passgenaue Besetzung« und »Willkommenslotsen« unterstützt Unternehmen bei der Sicherung des Fachkräftebedarfs.

Anerkennung ausländischer Berufsabschlüsse im Bereich Handwerk (Recognition of foreign qualifications)

Ziel der Anerkennung ist es, den Handwerksbetrieben die ausländischen Berufsabschlüsse vergleichbarer zu gestalten und Migranten den Zugang – ihrer Qualifizierung entsprechend – in den Arbeitsmarkt zu erleichtern.

Fachkräfte aus dem Ausland

Sie sind auf der Suche nach internationalen Fachkräften für Ihren Handwerksbetrieb oder stehen bereits in Kontakt mit einer ausländischen Fachkraft und benötigen Informationen zu den rechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen oder Unterstützungsmöglichkeiten?