How can companies in the healthcare and nursing sectors recruit skilled workers from third countries to meet the demand for well-trained staff? That was the focus of our corporate workshop on August 29, 2023, at the Magdeburg Regional Advisory Office.
To begin, the WelcomeCenter Saxony-Anhalt presented its support services and the opportunities offered by the Skilled Immigration Act. Following that, the Central Foreign and Skilled Worker Placement Service (ZAV) of the Federal Employment Agency presented its programs for recruiting foreign nursing staff. The company representatives in attendance exchanged views on their experiences, challenges, and potential solutions and were able to clarify open questions in discussions with the experts.
The five participating company representatives are at very different stages in the recruitment process. Some are very interested in the existing opportunities, as they are receiving fewer and fewer applications from Germany. Others have already begun or even completed the recruitment process. Among the challenges and obstacles faced by the companies are lengthy and bureaucratic procedures, particularly regarding the recognition of foreign professional qualifications. It also happens that the expectations of foreign nursing professionals differ significantly from the actual range of tasks and work environment in German nursing, because the corresponding job profiles are structured differently in other countries or do not exist at all. Therefore, early expectation management is essential. It is equally important to sensitize the workforce to different, culturally rooted work practices and to support the arriving professionals in finding a social environment. In addition, one company has had positive experiences with providing interested professionals from abroad with direct points of contact within the company and staying in regular contact with them. For recruitment abroad, it is also helpful to have local cooperation partners in the respective countries. Furthermore, discussions took place on how to handle incoming applications from abroad or specific hurdles in the entry and recognition process.
If you are interested in a similar exchange of experiences with other companies, please feel free to send us an email at wcst(at)f-bb(dot)de. Our regional advisors are available to provide you with individual consultation and support.
