The German government hopes to make it easier for foreign-born workers' to have their overseas qualifications recognised in Germany. This would also benefit Germany as more overseas workers will be available to fill critical shortages in the German labour market.
Approximately 300,000 foreign-born residents in Germany cannot practice their professions because their qualifications are not recognized, Education Minister Annette Schavan told the German Financial Times.
According to Schavan, the government hopes to pass a law this year which would fast-track verification of foreign qualifications.
"The new law will give all those who acquired education abroad the chance to have their degree evaluated in Germany," Schavan said. "We want to access a potential that has not been tapped."
Many foreign-educated immigrants trained in fields such as medicine and engineering are working in lesser-skilled jobs because of the credential recognition issue. According to the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), Germany lacks 400,000 skilled workers.
A points based system for Germany?
In a televised interview, Economy Minister Rainer Bruederle said that Germany should implement a points-based immigration system similar to programs in other countries.
Points-based systems, which allow skilled workers to live in work in a country as long as they gain enough points scoring criteria such as age, experience, and qualifications, have proven very successful in countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.
Germany, a traditionally conservative nation in regards to immigration, is taking a giant leap forward in considering such a step. However, with Europe's aging population, skilled workers from abroad are becoming increasingly more important for EU member states.
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