Good news for international specialists, students and companies in the Ulm/Oberschwaben region: The Ministry of Economics, Labor and Housing of Baden-Württemberg is funding the project „Welcome Center“ for another three years. Thus, the Welcome Center Ulm/Oberschwaben can continue to make its important contribution to finding and retaining international skilled workers and to reducing the shortage of skilled workers in the region.
Despite the current mood of crisis, the shortage of skilled workers is foreseeable, although it has only weakened slightly for the time being. Especially the demographic change as well as the necessary flexibility newly learned through the crisis will lead to a further increase in the shortage of skilled workers until 2030: “There will also be a time after the crisis, for which the companies in the IHK Ulm region have to be prepared. Against this background, the Welcome Center acts as the first point of contact and advice for regional companies, international specialists and students, supports them in establishing contacts, designing processes and providing information on topics such as current entry and residence regulations or living and working in the region,” says Max-Martin W. Deinhard, CEO of the Ulm Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“Securing the demand for skilled workers for our companies and promoting a welcome culture for international skilled workers are long-term tasks,” emphasized State Secretary Katrin Schütz at the presentation of the grant notice during a virtual meeting of the state network of Baden-Württemberg Welcome Centers.
The Ulm Chamber of Industry and Commerce looks back on six years of successful work and welcomes the continuation of the project, especially with regard to the expanded opportunities provided by the Specialist Immigration Act implemented since March 2020. Since the Welcome Center was founded in 2014, a total of 431 companies have received advice on topics such as immigration and visa law, recruitment and recognition of foreign qualifications. In addition, 875 international specialists and students have been advised, in particular on the German application process and job search, but also on topics such as entry and visa options, language, further education and recognition of degrees. More than two thirds of the international experts and students come from third countries such as Turkey, Egypt, Cameroon, India or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economics, Labor and Housing Construction is supporting the work of the Welcome Center Ulm/Upper Swabia with 199,400 euros from January 1, 2021 to the end of 2023.
