Skilled Workers

The “Future International Talents (FIT) for German Climate Businesses” project has recruited skilled workers who have completed vocational training or a college degree, as well as several years of professional experience in the skilled trades, and who wish to work as skilled workers in the crafts sector in Germany.

The project offers experienced skilled workers from Colombia or Uzbekistan the opportunity to take up a qualified position in the climate-related skilled trades in one of nine regions in Germany. The project is being carried out by the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH), the Federal Employment Agency (BA), and sequa gGmbH, and runs from spring 2024 through the end of 2027.

The application deadlines for skilled workers have passed. Applications are no longer being accepted.

Services
Participation
Companies and professions
Requirements
Process
Support
Contact

Working in the German skilled crafts sector

What can you expect?

Personal advice and support
From the job interview to the visa application and on to integration into the workplace, we support the participants and their German employers every step of the way.
Individual preparation for living in Germany
Participants receive targeted language and intercultural training in their home country to ensure they are fully prepared for life and work in Germany. During the full-time language course, they receive a monthly stipend to help cover their living expenses.
Comprehensive support in Germany
Even after they arrive in Germany, we don’t leave the participants to fend for themselves. For example, we help them get their professional qualifications recognized and offer support with questions about daily life or family reunification. A designated contact person is available on-site to assist the participants.

We want to support and guide participants over the long term as they integrate into their new workplace, so that they can successfully settle into life in Germany, not only professionally but also personally.

Conditions of participation for skilled workers

The application deadline for professionals interested in this project has passed. The eligibility requirements are listed below.

Uzbekistan

Age
Participants are between 20 and 40 years old.
Vocational training
Vocational Training: Participants hold at least a two-year vocational degree recognized in Uzbekistan that is related to the skilled crafts professions sought.
Professional experience
Participants have several years of work experience in a skilled crafts profession sought (see: “Profile of Companies and Job Descriptions”).
Language skills and interest in working in Germany
Participants wish to build a long-term professional future in Germany and are willing to learn German in a full-time language course lasting several months, funded by the project. During the language course, participants cover their living expenses using their own funds and the project stipend of €400 per month.

Colombia

Age
Participants are between 20 and 40 years old.
Vocational training
Participants hold at least a two-year vocational degree recognized in Colombia in one of the following fields: Tecnólogo en Electricidad Industrial, Tecnólogo en Construcción en Edificaciones, Tecnólogo en Construcción de Infraestructura Vial, Técnico en Carpintería Metálica.
Professional experience
Participants have several years of work experience in one of the sought-after skilled trades (see: “Profile of Companies and Job Descriptions”).
Language skills and an interest in working in Germany
Participants wish to build a long-term professional future in Germany and are willing to learn German in a full-time language course lasting several months, funded by the project. During the language course, participants cover their living expenses using their own funds and the project stipend of €400 per month.

German craftsmanship – where tradition meets innovation!

The German skilled crafts sector is a vital part of the country’s economy, offering a wide range of professions and career opportunities that require both hands-on craftsmanship and technical expertise. This diversity makes the skilled crafts sector an exciting and dynamic field to work in.

Most skilled crafts businesses in Germany are small and medium-sized companies, many of which are family-run. Teamwork plays a crucial role, as complex projects—whether on construction sites or at customers’ premises— can only be completed successfully when coordinated in a professional and joint manner. Moreover, German craftsmanship is known for its innovative strength, particularly in the areas of sustainable construction, renewable energies, and environmentally friendly technologies. The skilled crafts sector is forward-thinking and adaptable, actively contributing to Germany’s climate goals by installing eco-friendly heating systems and energy-efficient building technologies.

The project therefore also focuses on skilled crafts professions that contribute to Germany’s energy transition and climate protection efforts.

The following professions are included in the project:

Electricians
Bricklayers
Concrete and reinforced concrete workers
Road construction workers
Metal workers
Plant mechanics for sanitary, heating and air conditioning technology
Automotive technicians

Two possible immigration pathways to Germany

The pilot project offers two pathways for skilled workers to come to Germany. One follows already well-established regulations while the other is based on a new regulation of the German Skilled Immigration Act.

Path 1:
Recognition of your professional qualification
These skilled workers travel to Germany on a special visa for the recognition of their foreign professional qualifications, begin working immediately at the company, and simultaneously complete what is known as an “adaptation training program” (APQ). During the adaptation training program, they address the significant differences identified between their profession and the German reference occupation and acquire additional knowledge. Upon successful completion, they receive full professional recognition and can work permanently as skilled workers in Germany.

Requirements:
- At least two years of vocational training leading to a state-recognized degree in the country of origin
- Several years of professional experience in one of the sought-after skilled trades
- The foreign degree must be substantively related to a target occupation in Germany

Path 2:
Direct entry as a qualified worker with professional experience
If participants have extensive professional experience, they can enter the country directly as qualified workers, even if their professional qualification does not exactly match the job in Germany.

Requirements:
- At least two years of vocational training with a state-recognized qualification
- Several years of relevant professional experience in the target occupation
- Your qualification does not have to correspond to the German target occupation
In addition, applicants were required to complete a work sample in their country of origin. The work sample was part of the application process. The result determined whether they were accepted into the project.

Recruitment cycle

Uzbekistan

After the skilled workers were finally selected for the project during the application process, they are or were taking an intensive German language course organized by the project to reach level B1 and are or were receiving intercultural preparation for living and working in Germany during this time.
Once language level A2 was reached, job interviews with potential employers were or are being organized. If selected, an employment contract is signed with a company. This is followed by preparations for entry into Germany, including the visa process and finding housing.
After arriving in Germany, the skilled workers go through an acclimatization and integration phase. The skilled worker immigration advisors from the participating trade organizations support the skilled workers and employers throughout this process and provide close guidance as needed.
Skilled workers recruited through the project via the recognition of foreign professional qualifications begin their adaptation training upon arrival in Germany. This takes place concurrently with their employment at the company. For those entering the country based on practical work experience, the adaptation training is not required.

Colombia

After the skilled workers were finally selected for the project during the application process, they are learning, or have learned, German intensively in a course organized by the project up to the B1 level and are being, or have been, prepared interculturally for life and work in Germany during this time.
For individuals who already have a job offer from an employer at the start of the language course, the project team arranges their entry into Germany once they reach the B1 level, including visa procedures and finding housing.
After arriving in Germany, the skilled workers go through an orientation and integration phase. The skilled worker immigration advisors from the participating trade organizations support the skilled workers and companies throughout this process and provide close guidance as needed.
Skilled workers recruited through the project via the recognition of foreign professional qualifications begin their adaptation training upon arrival in Germany. This takes place concurrently with their employment at the company.

Project support structures

However, learning a new language, moving to a new country, and adjusting to a foreign culture can present many challenges. That is why it is important to us to bring together a wide range of support structures to provide skilled workers with the best possible guidance on their journey to Germany and to make the process as smooth as possible.

Support by project partners in Germany

German Federal Employment Agency and International Placement Services

The German Federal Employment Agency (BA) is the federal authority responsible for labour market policy services. Different areas of the BA are involved in the project in order to reach concrete agreements with the partner countries Uzbekistan and Colombia (International Relations department within the head office), to ensure the recruitment and support of participants (regional teams of the International Placement Services) and to carry out the work permit procedures (responsible labour market admission teams).

The skilled crafts organisation

The skilled craft sector in Germany is organized into various organizations at multiple levels. At the federal level, the interests of the skilled craft sector are represented by the Central Association of German Skilled Craft (ZDH). At the state and district levels, there are skilled trades organizations such as the state craft associations and the so-called Chambers of Skilled Craft. A total of 9 such skilled Craft organizations are participating in the project. The skilled craft organizations employ so-called skilled worker immigration advisors. These advisors support participants in preparing for entry into the country and after their arrival. The diagram shows the locations of the participating skilled craft organizations in Germany.

The skilled crafts business

The participating skilled craft businesses want to actively support skilled workers and make their transition into a new work and professional environment easier. Even while they are learning the language, regular digital communication channels between the skilled workers and their employer are available. This allows them to get to know each other better and stay informed about current events at the business. A major hurdle for international skilled workers is finding housing. The company and the skilled crafts association also provide assistance in this area: they are familiar with the local housing market. For all skilled workers undergoing adaptation training, the company assists them in completing the necessary in-house training measures and grants them paid leave to participate in inter-company training measures. The project covers the costs of any required measures that cannot be conducted on-site.

sequa gGmbH

Upon being accepted into the project, the professionals sign a participation agreement with sequa. sequa is a globally active development organization that implements international cooperation projects and programs in close collaboration with the German business community. In the “FIT for German Climate Businesses” project, sequa is primarily responsible for project administration as well as project management.

Support in your home country

Uzbekistan

The Agency for Labor Migration of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Migratsiya Agentligi) is responsible for managing and regulating labor migration. Its main objectives include:

Supporting labor migration: Providing information and consultation for Uzbek citizens who wish to work abroad.
International cooperation: Coordinating with foreign countries and international organizations to create safe and legal job opportunities for Uzbek workers.
Protecting migrant workers’ rights: Ensuring that the rights and interests of Uzbek workers abroad are safeguarded.
Promoting legal migration: Preventing illegal migration and encouraging legal employment opportunities abroad.

The Migration Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan serves as the first point of contact for applicants from Uzbekistan who are interested in participating in the project. It provides them with further information about the project and, for example, ensures that the documents required for the application process are complete as part of the selection procedure. It supports our participants in Uzbekistan throughout the selection process. Further information can be found on the following page: xorijdaish.uz

Colombia

The Servicio Público de Empleo (SPE) is an agency under the Colombian Ministry of Labor; it coordinates job placement and collaborates with public and private agencies to support job seekers. For more information, please visit the following page: www.serviciodeempleo.gov.co

Further information

Make it in Germany

Recognition portal

Usbekistan

Goethe-Institut

Botschaft (Taschkent)

Auslandshandelskammern

Kolumbien

Goethe-Institut

Botschaft (Bogota)

Auslandshandelskammern