ProRecognition: Recognition consulting now also in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil and Colombia

In Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil and Colombia, three new counselling centres for the recognition of professional qualifications will be opened. In addition, the existing counselling services in Algeria, Egypt, India, Iran, Italy, Poland and Vietnam will be further expanded. Over the next four years, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research will fund the "ProRecognition" project with almost 8 million euros - twice as much as in the first funding phase.

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has been funding the ProRecognition project since 2015. It is carried out by DIHK Service GmbH together with the Foreign Chambers of Commerce. The BMBF is funding the new project phase from 2020 to the end of 2023.

The Foreign Chambers of Commerce work closely with the German missions abroad and Goethe Institutes. Some locations have succeeded in establishing a network with local actors, ministries and subordinate authorities. In Germany, the project is closely linked with the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training, the Central Placement Office for Foreigners and Specialists, the Federal Employment Agency or the ZAV and the IQ Network, in addition to the Chambers of Industry and Commerce.

The general aim is to establish the Foreign Chambers of Commerce as contact and advice centres for professional recognition and thus contribute to attracting skilled workers from the EU and non-EU countries to the German labour market.

The Skilled Immigration Act, which will come into force on 1 March, is awaited with great anticipation and should help to make it considerably easier for skilled workers from non-EU countries to immigrate.