New skilled labour strategy

The German government hopes that a new strategy will attract more skilled workers to Germany. At a skilled labour summit in September, the government presented its plans to employer and trade union leaders, among others. As well as promoting training and continuing education, the strategy also focuses particularly on modernising the regulations governing immigration. All the measures are aimed at helping companies and businesses attract and retain skilled workers.

Modern immigration as part of the skilled labour strategy

The planned modernisation of the immigration law is to be set in motion before the year is out, announced Labour Minister Hubertus Heil. "This will probably then be approved at the beginning of next year." Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger talked about simplifying the recognition of professional qualifications. "We are a country that wishes to attract skilled immigrants, so it is particularly important to reduce the bureaucratic hurdles," the minister said. "We have to open ourselves up much more to immigration and jointly promote Germany as a cosmopolitan country with interesting and high-quality jobs," emphasised Economics Minister Robert Habeck.

Strengthening training and continuing education

The Federal Government stressed how important it was to secure skilled labour. "For many companies, the search for skilled workers is already a matter of survival," said Labour Minister Heil. "And our country needs skilled workers to support digitalisation and the transition to a climate-neutral economy. This requires every helping hand and every bright mind. As part of the new skilled labour strategy, we therefore want to guarantee training opportunities and strengthen continuing education." He mentioned some of the instruments that are planned, such as a qualification allowance that the Federal Employment Agency will grant to promote in-company further training.

"One important component of the strategy is the Excellence Initiative for Vocational Education and Training," added Education Minister Stark-Watzinger. "Academic education and vocational training are different, but equally important. Both are great stepping stones to a successful professional life."