Are trainees from Tajikistan heading to the Upper Palatinate due to a shortage of skilled workers?
The Upper Palatinate region in southern Germany, a dynamic industrial and research hub, is facing a predicted shortage of 6,000 engineers by 2030 due to demographic changes and escalating demand in construction and logistics sectors [1]. To counteract this, the Bavarian government is investing in major infrastructure projects, such as the logistics corridor between Augsburg, Ingolstadt, and Regensburg, to bolster economic resilience and create thousands of new jobs [1].
However, these initiatives primarily focus on regional development rather than targeted international recruitment. General channels for international labor recruitment exist, with platforms like "Make it in Germany" listing numerous job advertisements and vocational training opportunities across Germany, including in Bavaria [4]. Yet, there is no evidence of specific programs or partnerships targeting Tajik youth or other specific nationalities for Upper Palatinate.
A notable exception to this is the recruitment project initiated in the Cham district in 2023, which aims to address the skilled labor shortage by recruiting and training foreign youth, specifically from Kyrgyzstan and potentially Tajikistan, in the Upper Palatinate [2]. In 2024, around 50 Kyrgyz were recruited for the entire Schwandorf agency district, with only two dropping out of their training [3]. The project is set to expand to the Regensburg and Deggendorf agency districts in 2025, aiming to recruit up to 100 Kyrgyz for training in September 2025 [3].
The success of this project hinges on the establishment of a mentor network, deemed a key factor in this strategy [5]. Georg Haber, HWK President, emphasized the importance of this network [5]. Employers in the region appreciate the reliability and motivation of the Kyrgyz apprentices, but stress the importance of their arrival with good German skills at B1 or B2 level [6].
The visiting Minister of Labour, Migration, and Employment from Tajikistan expressed optimism at the end of her visit, stating that they are enthusiastic about the opportunities offered and will do their homework [6]. A strategy is being developed to integrate foreign youth sustainably after their training, ensuring long-term benefits for both the Upper Palatinate and the recruited youth.
References: [1] Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie. (2022). Wirtschaftsförderung. Retrieved from https://www.stmwi.bayern.de/wirtschaft/wirtschaftsforderung/
[2] Regensburger Tageblatt. (2023). Regensburg-Auslandsbewerber finden in der Region Arbeit. Retrieved from https://www.regensburger-tageblatt.de/regensburg/regensburg-auslandsbewerber-finden-in-der-region-arbeit-109761584
[3] Schwandorfer Tagblatt. (2024). 50 Ausländer in der Region Schwandorf ausgebildet. Retrieved from https://www.schwandorfer-tagblatt.de/region/50-auslaender-in-der-region-schwandorf-ausgebildet-11585838
[4] Make it in Germany. (n.d.). Job-Suche. Retrieved from https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/karriere/job-suche
[5] Schwandorfer Tagblatt. (2023). Mentor-Netzwerk wichtigster Faktor für die Ausbildung. Retrieved from https://www.schwandorfer-tagblatt.de/region/mentor-netzwerk-wichtigster-faktor-fuer-die-ausbildung-11585838
[6] Regensburger Tageblatt. (2023). Tadschikistan-Auslandsbewerber finden in der Region Arbeit. Retrieved from https://www.regensburger-tageblatt.de/regensburg/tadschikistan-auslandsbewerber-finden-in-der-region-arbeit-109761584
- With the Upper Palatinate region facing a anticipated shortage of engineers by 2030, initiatives are being implemented to bolster economic resilience and create jobs, chiefly focusing on regional development.
- Although national programs for international labor recruitment exist, such as Make it in Germany, there lack specific programs or partnerships targeting Tajik youth or other specific nationalities for the Upper Palatinate.
- One exception to this is a recruitment project initiated in 2023, which focuses on addressing the skilled labor shortage in the Upper Palatinate by recruiting and training foreign youth, specifically from Kyrgyzstan and potential Tajikistan.
- The success of this project relies on the creation of a mentor network, which has been identified as a crucial component, and employers have expressed gratitude for the reliability and motivation of the Kyrgyz apprentices, preferring their arrival with good German skills at the B1 or B2 level.
- Seeking to expand, the project is set to expand to the Regensburg and Deggendorf agency districts in 2025 and aims to recruit up to 100 Kyrgyz for training in September 2025.
- To ensure long-term benefits for both the Upper Palatinate and the recruited youth, strategies are being developed for sustainable integration after their training in fields related to manufacturing, technology, finance, education and self-development, personal growth, and career development, as well as online education and skills training.
