5 Ways Germany Intends to Attract Foreign Talent

Germany aims to speed up visa issuing and is developing new legislation to make the nation more appealing to international employees.

The new law intends to overcome fundamental barriers for migrants to Germany, such as the complicated process of recognising educational qualifications.

Germany, like other industrialised countries, is experiencing severe labour shortages, particularly in skilled high-growth industries, which are putting a strain on an economy that might enter a recession this year.

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According to a poll conducted by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), more than half of Germany's enterprises are failing to fill vacancies, costing roughly 100 billion euros in lost production.

Although Germany is not alone in having labour shortages, the language barrier makes nations such as the United Kingdom, Spain, France, and Portugal more appealing to immigrants.

These are the 5 changes Germany intends to do to attract international talent:

• Job Seekers' Opportunity Card: The draft bill contains a new "opportunity card" with a points-based system that considers credentials, language abilities, professional experience, connection to Germany, and age.
  Those with potential will be able to stay in Germany to find work with this card, which must be secured before arrival. If the Federal Employment Agency (BA) determines an urgent shortage in an industry, unskilled people will be permitted to enter.
  One contentious problem has been the awarding of points for skill in German, which has prompted objections from several groups who argue that English should also be awarded because it is sufficient for some positions.
   
• Making the EU Blue Card More Accessible: Germany aims to make the EU Blue Card more accessible to a more significant number of university-educated experts. It also wishes to make itself more appealing to foreigners who want to come for vocational training or study and then stay for further education or employment.
   
• Remove the Requirement for Formal Recognition of University Degrees: Germany wants third-country residents to be able to move in and work in their field of expertise without having to go through the formal recognition processes for their degree and professional qualification.
  In Germany, the recognition procedure allows job searchers to compare their current qualifications to the closest German degree equivalent. There isn't much space for ambiguity in this formal process, which is prescribed by Federal law. If your degree is inadequate, you may need to pursue additional studies. Yet, in order to maintain equitable working conditions and remuneration for foreigners, Germany requires that foreign workers be provided with a wage that is higher than the stipulated level.

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• Allow Employees to have their Professional Qualifications Recognised after they Arrive: The government intends to make it feasible for people who wish to have their international professional qualifications recognised in Germany to begin the procedure after they arrive, rather than before.
  According to the administration, such a shift will allow firms to acquire foreign expertise more rapidly. Workers will also find it simpler to get their qualifications recognised once they begin working in a qualifying occupation.
   
• Allow Employees to Move in for Short-Term Employment in Germany: The government intends to allow firms to recruit foreigners for short periods to satisfy temporary needs, regardless of particular qualification requirements. Nevertheless, the number of people that may be employed under this scheme is limited.

Source: The Economic Times