Short processes, quick decisions

Starting position/challenge

The recognition of foreign professional qualifications is a prerequisite for successful integration into the labour market. In order to support and accompany those seeking recognition of their professional qualifications, Network IQ offers nationwide counselling on the recognition of qualifications and on job trainings within the context of the Recognition Act. The combination of counselling on recognition and on job training and the close cooperation with and within job centres and employment agencies has proven to be an effective strategy. This enables the recognition procedure to run smoothly and successfully, including the necessary training measures and the sustainable integration into the German labour market. The implementation of this strategic approach can be seen by looking at examples of the project, “Service Centre for the Development of Foreign Qualifications” in the Network IQ Saarland and the project “Counselling on Recognition and Job Training” in the Network IQ Potsdam.

Implementation of the strategic approach

The managers of both projects had the goal to combine IQ counselling on the recognition of foreign qualifications and IQ counselling on job trainings with offers of the job centres (in Brandenburg also with the employment agencies). In both projects, joint counselling on the premises of the job centres is central. Thus, if necessary, those seeking advice are simultaneously advised on the possibilities of the recognition of their qualifications, training measures in the context of the Recognition Act, as well as the funding possibilities via the employment administration. In Brandenburg, counselling appointments are held five to six times a year, for logistical reasons. Numerous people seek advice during these appointments. In the Saarland, counselling takes place in four job centres at various locations in the state from Monday to Thursday.

IQ counsellors always plan and carry out the joint counselling in coordination with the employment services. Due to the close cooperation of IQ counsellors with placement specialists from the job centres and employment agencies, individual steps are completed faster, communication processes are shorter and individual advice and further planning is optimised. This enables direct feedback to be given on existing certificates. Quick decisions can be made regarding the assumption of costs for the recognition procedures.

Conclusion

The success of the strategic approach of IQ counselling and employment services joining forces for the common goal of effective support in adequate and sustainable labour market integration is also reflected in the counselling figures. Since the beginning of 2015, approximately 300 combined recognition and job training counselling sessions have been held in the project in Brandenburg, in comparison with around 600 sessions in the project in Saarland.