Fachkräftesicherung – Zukunftsweisende Qualifizierung, gesellschaftliche Teilhabe und Integration durch berufliche Bildung

Due to the high demand for skilled labour, new residence laws have increasingly broadened the opportunities for labour immigration in Germany during the past 15 years. Germany created new immigration channels, visas and opportunities for professional recognition. Nevertheless, immigration rates have not met the politically and economically aim of 400,000 immigrants per year (cf. Fuchs/Söhnlein/Weber. 2021). This contribution shows how foreign skilled workers and companies can benefit from the legal framework. The article presents the opportunities and challenges of professional recognition and qualification of new arrivals and immigrants by analysis of the accompanying research of the Competence Centre for Recognition and Job Training. The Competence Centre is executed by the Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (f-bb) as part of the funding programme "Integration through Qualification (IQ)". Illustrating requirements for professional licensing and recognition, this contribution compares the challenges of different immigration channels and processes of professional recognition and integration. Therefore, the article provides an overview of actors and structures involved in the processes of immigration, recognition and qualification in Germany and abroad. Beyond that, the contribution showcases different immigration groups according to their occupations, in health care, trades and crafts, and early education. The aim is to show practitioners of school-based and in-company vocational education and training as well as representatives of science and education policy the potentials, hurdles and support structures of recognition and qualification for skilled immigrants.