Integration of foreign skilled workers: What you need to look out for

The shortage of skilled labour in Germany is a major challenge for many companies. This is why more and more companies are turning to foreign skilled labour. Read here how to successfully integrate foreign skilled labour into your company! 

The most important aspects of successful integration of foreign skilled workers

Damit am Arbeitsplatz eine gute Stimmung herrscht, und um die Produktivität und Zufriedenheit aller Arbeitnehmer zu maximieren, ist die Integration neuer Arbeitskräfte sehr wichtig – vor allem von Fachkräften, die aus dem Ausland kommen. Sie müssen sich erst an das neue Umfeld, das neue Land und die neue Arbeitsweise gewöhnen. Hier sind einige Schritte, die dabei helfen können.

1. structured onboardingA structured onboarding process helps foreign specialists to quickly find their feet. Clear contact persons and an introduction to the corporate culture also create orientation and trust right from the start. 

2. open communicationRegular discussions and transparent information can help to avoid or clarify misunderstandings. Open communication is generally essential for a healthy corporate culture.

3. mentoring programmesAn experienced colleague as a mentor can be a great help to new foreign specialists. They not only help with technical aspects, but also with cultural or linguistic aspects.

4. intercultural sensitivity in the team: Workshops or team events on intercultural cooperation create an understanding of cultural differences and strengthen team spirit. The entire company benefits from this.

There are many other tips on the Internet for integrating skilled workers from abroad. For example, an article on the website workscouncil.com some valuable tips. For example, culinary theme days in the respective countries of origin or the corresponding language courses are suggested. 

While the steps mentioned here provide very good starting points, the question naturally remains: How do I, as a German company, get hold of these foreign skilled workers? 

Employ foreign skilled workers: You have these two options

German companies wishing to recruit foreign employees have two main options: Employee leasing and personnel placement. 

1. temporary employment of foreign skilled workers

In temporary employment - also known as temporary work or personnel leasing - a company hires workers from another company. If the hiring company is located outside of Germany, this is referred to as temporary employment of foreign skilled labour. 

Temporary work has several advantages, above all the high degree of flexibility, cost efficiency and the possibility of being able to employ qualified staff despite a shortage of skilled labour.

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2. attracting foreign skilled labour through recruitment agencies 

Another way for German companies to recruit foreign employees is through recruitment agencies. In contrast to employee leasing, here the workers are not temporarily leased from companies to companies, but are hired by the company itself in the traditional way. The workers are placed with the company by a personnel service provider. The personnel service provider therefore takes care of recruiting and selecting the workers.

And this is precisely the biggest advantage of recruitment agencies: they enable companies to attract new employees without having to invest a lot of time and money in often fruitless recruitment.

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How the employment and integration of foreign skilled workers works

It is not easy for German companies to get in touch with foreign specialists. That's why working with a local recruitment agency is the best way to ensure that the whole process runs efficiently and smoothly. In addition, a reliable partner can help to legal framework and also in the integration of skilled labour.

Here come We as a personnel service provider into play. We specialise in recruiting foreign specialists from all kinds of sectors for German companies. We focus primarily on the Eastern European region, i.e. countries such as Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania. Slovenia and Ukraine.

If you have any questions about the integration of foreign skilled workers or about temporary employment or recruitment in general, please send us a message! Our team will be happy to take care of all your concerns.