International skilled workers welcome in Hamburg

HWC is the main point of contact for both skilled migrants and companies in need of skilled labourers. The inter-agency service provided by the Ministry for Social Welfare, the Ministry of the Interior and Sport, the Employment Agency and the Team.Arbeit.Hamburg job centre includes many other providers. The AWO Aqtivus labour market service counts among them. "Everyone in our office in Süderstraße speeds up the procedures to get candidates into work as quickly as possible," said Antje Tiedemann, a counsellor at Aqtivus. "Many people in Hamburg have acquired their skills abroad, but cannot work in Germany because they do not meet certain requirements." At HWC, foreign skilled workers can find a wide range of services e.g., German-language courses and further training measures to have their foreign qualifications officially recognised or to obtain a work permit. "The job coaching and counselling services are very important for ensuring that applications for internships and apprenticeships or full and part-time positions are successful," Tiedemann pointed out. HWC works hand in hand with Hamburg Invest, which notifies HWC of job vacancies. “HWC is a key partner in our talent services consulting activities and makes an important contribution to securing skilled workers and Hamburg's attractiveness as an international business location,” said Lukas Soltysiak, Talent Services Project Manager at Hamburg Invest.

En-Chieh (Antja) Lee, Senior Legal Specialist and in Hamburg since October 2023, turned to HWC to find both a visa and a job. "The officer there was very nice. She spent time with me, gave me tips and explained what else HWC offers," said Lee, who hails from Taiwan and came to Germany as a student in 2022. After completing her Master's degree in International Dispute Resolution at the Humboldt University in Berlin, Lee learnt about a part-time position at the International College of Music Hamburg (ICOM) through HWC's job newsletter, which Hamburg Invest had recommended. Although they were not looking for a trained lawyer, they were looking for a bright profeessional with a good command of Chinese languages i.e. Cantonese and Mandarin. A part-time position is frequently a good way of entering the labour market, experts say. "Antja Lee sent her documents to us as we also handle the application procedure for promising candidates. This is one of our  most important services" Tiedemann said. "Many skilled workers with migrant backgrounds already meet job requirements, but need help with the application procedure."

This approach proved successful. "I've been a management assistant and head of the student secretariat at ICOM since May," said Lee, who finds the work easy. "I already have professional experience after working at a law firm in Taiwan. Its clients included international and German customers." Although she struggled with the German language at first, she now has a good command of German. As part of her work, she  looks after young musicians from China and Japan, who come to Hamburg to study.

And why did the 37-year-old choose Hamburg? "Many large, international companies in Hamburg offer good jobs. And the city is attractive for people from all corners of the globe who come together here and share ideas." In addition to language and professional qualifications, emotional support is important for entering the German labour market. The part-time job is a good first step, but next she has to earn EUR 40,770 minimum per annum (as of 2024) to secure a work visa. "I can't earn that part-time, so I have to and want to work full-time." Her ideal, full-time employer may yet be just another counselling session away at HWC.
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