Skilled workers from abroad
Prepare. Qualify. Support.

The Goethe-Institut has many years of experience in enabling people from all over the world to achieve language qualifications and become interculturally literate, and preparing them for life and work in Germany. With our study and information programmes and our global network, we are well-placed to provide competent support throughout the migration process.

Managing immigration

German proficiency and good preparation for immigration are key elements of a successful, sustainable integration. We have network partners worldwide, allowing us to provide collaborative support to migrating skilled workers.

Our core competences

Well prepared for life in Germany

High-quality language tuition, recognised exams and advice services at home and abroad: we offer a qualification tailored to your needs, so that you are thoroughly prepared for a successful introduction to the employment market and involvement in social life.

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Harnessing the potential of skilled workers

Projects worldwide

Foreign skilled workers need programmes tailored to their needs. We are involved in projects worldwide to provide intensive language and intercultural preparation for the German labour market - in cooperation with partners and in our own projects.

Understanding Skilled Worker Mobility Photo (detail): © Matthias Schilling/Goethe-Institut e.V. Photo (detail): © Matthias Schilling/Goethe-Institut e.V.

Project in focus

Fit for the German employment market

This project allows skilled workers hoping to migrate to Germany and potential apprenticeship candidates from Brazil, Columbia and Mexico to receive preparatory language training free of charge in their country of origin. This project is a cooperative venture with the Federal Employment Agency.

Budding young doctors from Mexico with their German books © Goethe-Institut / Irving Cabello Sierra © Goethe-Institut / Irving Cabello Sierra

Qualified support

Pre-integration and transition management

We offer a support programme free of charge to individuals who wish to migrate to Germany on a long-term basis for work or private reasons, which starts in your origin country and covers travel to Germany, as well as the early days after arrival. 

A woman with two children from behind in a street © Goethe-Institut / Louisa Marie Summer © Goethe-Institut / Louisa Marie Summer

Recruitment and qualification

German teachers

We implement a broad-based policy for recruitment, qualification and professional development of German teachers, to ensure optimum use of the language course and exam capacities for qualification of skilled workers at locations with high potential for skilled workers.

Teacher with students © Goethe-Institut, Getty Images © Goethe-Institut, Getty Images

Experience and expertise

Integration course system

As partners we are involved in quality assurance, as well as the development and revision of strategy documents central to the integration course system, for example the framework curriculum, the German test for migrants, or the teacher qualification.

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Improving German teaching

Schools abroad

Through our collaborative education services, we uphold the quality standards of language teaching, set up projects to facilitate networking, and broaden international perspectives. We work closely with local partners to meet their needs and update their skills.

Teacher with students in a classroom © Goethe-Institut/GettyImages © Goethe-Institut/GettyImages

For companies

With our German courses, German exams, integration services and intercultural training, we are in a position to offer your skilled workers an outstanding language qualification and in-depth preparation for the employment market.

German for companies in Germany

Do you want to support your skilled workers optimally when they start work at your company in Germany? We offer individually tailored advice so that your skilled workers learn German efficiently and sustainably. With our competent teachers at Goethe-Institutes in Germany, nothing stands in the way of their success.

A young woman looks to the future with confidence © Goethe-Institut, Getty Images © Goethe-Institut, Getty Images

German courses in companies

With the help of the Goethe-Institut, your employees acquire German language skills for the workplace, enabling them to communicate in the same language as your German-speaking clients, colleagues and partners. This creates the best possible basis for successful business relationships and collaborative teamwork. 

German courses for companies worldwide

Learn German at Goethe-Institutes abroad and prepare for life in Germany: we offer German courses, German exams and intercultural training to ensure a successful arrival in Germany and rapid integration in the workplace.

A man turns a screw in a factory. © Goethe-Institut/Bernhard Ludewig © Goethe-Institut/Bernhard Ludewig

Immigration of skilled workers

Thanks to our large network, we are the perfect partner to support you in recruiting skilled labour. Due to uniform standards, skilled workers abroad can prepare themselves in a targeted manner and build on their progress at the Goethe-Instituts in Germany.

Vocational training partnerships (APAL)

Many young people from Central and South America learn German as a foreign language at PASCH schools or schools supported by the Goethe-Institut as part of educational cooperation. Interest in career prospects in Germany is growing, and the demand for training in the health sector plays a special role here.

Working in Germany

Have you completed an apprenticeship or a degree, and would like to work in Germany? We help you with the arrival process – with German courses and opportunities to practise the language, as well as by providing information on all aspects of everyday life and the workplace in Germany.

Web portal

Mein Weg nach Deutschland

Are you planning to go to Germany? You should take a look at this. Important information about living and working in Germany is available here in German (levels A1 to B2) or in one of 29 other languages – in text, video and infographic format.

The face of a young dark-haired woman can be seen in the sunlight in front of the Brandenburg Gate. © Alina Holtmann / Maridav © Alina Holtmann / Maridav

Support in Germany

Infohäuser (Info houses) and Welcome Coaches

Are you new to Germany and looking for support during the initial orientation phase? You can get information about living and working in Germany and practise your German at six Goethe-Institutes and 35 Infohäuser. The Welcome Coaches also support you during your initial time in Germany.

Photo of the "Arriving in Germany" information centre © Goethe-Institut © Goethe-Institut

Preparation in your home country

Pre-integration

Do you want to migrate to Germany from Southeast Asia, Southeast Europe, North Africa/Middle East, South America, Subsaharan Africa, Central America or South Asia? We provide seminars, information events about everyday life and the workplace in Germany, workshops and intercultural training, as well as learning support and advice on exams.

People on the street. © Getty Images, Jedrzej Kaminski EyeEm © Getty Images, Jedrzej Kaminski EyeEm

Checklist

How to identify a good German course

To be able to work in Germany, you often have to provide evidence of German proficiency even at the point of visa application. How can you identify which language schools have good-quality teaching?

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Language offers

Practise German for free

Do you want to live and work in Germany? You can find free media here to help you improve your German for everyday living and the workplace – from A1 to C2.

A young woman looks at her mobile phone with a smile Foto: Goethe-Institut, Getty Images Foto: Goethe-Institut, Getty Images

Network

Alumniportal Deutschland

The Alumniportal Deutschland is a social network that promotes networking and the exchange of knowledge. It offers free services for learning German, career development, further education, and information about Germany.
 

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Learn German

Learn German with success in more than 90 countries on-site at your Goethe-Institut or online.

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