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How can local small and medium-sized enterprises attract skilled labour from abroad? How can they be retained and further promoted? What support programmes are available in Dessau-Roßlau and the region?
To discuss and answer these questions, the WelcomeCenter Saxony-Anhalt, the Welcome Culture and Skilled Labour Recruitment Network and the city of Dessau-Roßlau hosted the "Finding and Retaining Foreign Skilled Workers" company day on 12 September 2024. Interested companies and regional experts came together in the morning at the Federal Environment Agency in Dessau to listen to expert input and exchange experiences and concrete implementation steps.
After a welcome from the city of Dessau-Roßlau and the Halle-Dessau Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Sarah Pierenkemper from the Centre of Excellence for Securing Skilled Labour (KOFA) gave a short presentation on the skilled labour situation in Dessau-Roßlau and the region. She identified the increasing shortage of skilled labour, particularly in the north and east of Saxony-Anhalt and in the skilled trades, construction and social professions, as a key challenge. Among other things, she sees potential for securing skilled labour in the increased recruitment of women, older people, semi-skilled/unskilled workers and international skilled workers. Talent could be attracted and retained in the region, for example, by companies establishing diversity management and a welcoming culture and investing in the training and further education of employees. It is also important to ensure the attractiveness of the region beyond the working conditions.
Following this presentation, various themed stands were available for the participants, where regional initiatives, educational institutions and authorities presented their support services for companies and skilled workers. There were lively discussions about recruitment programmes, language courses, a welcoming culture and professional training opportunities. Finally, a local company, Pflegedienst Dießner, reported on its experiences with recruiting and integrating trainees from abroad. A reliable and not too expensive placement agent in the target countries is of central importance - and at the same time not so easy to find. Another success factor is the heart and soul that the company puts into the welcome programmes and the long-term support of the trainees. It is very helpful that one person is available full-time to look after the 20 or so trainees and, in addition to the organisational tasks, also takes care of the odd afternoon excursion so that the newcomers settle in well. One of the company's trainees reported that learning German and socialising with like-minded people were also very important for the new trainees.
Moderator Stefanie Schmidt-Pforte from the Halle-Dessau Chamber of Industry and Commerce drew a similar conclusion from the company day: Employing skilled workers or trainees from abroad is by no means just about finding them, but also about the retention and qualification process, which never really ends. The best way for companies and local authorities to master this process together is to publicise existing offers and share their valuable experience with each other.
"Finding and retaining foreign skilled workers" is an annual event format of the Welcome Culture and Skilled Labour Recruitment Network and is organised by the WelcomeCenter Saxony-Anhalt. You can find more information about the network on this page. Information on the legal framework and regional support services relating to the immigration of skilled workers and labour market integration can be found in our Infothek.