Recognising Foreign Qualifications and Competences: An Area of Conflict between Labour Market, Education and Migration Policy

Abstract

Germany as well as Canada is facing a skills shortage. To meet the corresponding demand on the labor market both countries developed certain strategies and measures towards the recognition of foreign qualifications and competences. The presented research project MoVA investigates the recognition approaches implemented in Germany and Canada-considering the multifaceted political aims behind them. It becomes apparent that the logic of implementation and the institutional structures are quite different in both countries, while the applied methods for the concrete assessment of credentials and work experience as well as the future challenges faced are rather comparable.

Relevance of qualifications and work experience in the recruiting of foreign‐trained immigrants – comparative insights from the Health and ICT Sectors in Germany and Canada

“…In both countries, following a maximum variation sampling (Patton, 2001) the case studies were conducted in the ICT and health sectors, which vary in their degree of regulation and their occupational requirements in general. Prior to the presented case study oriented project, an explorative study with representatives from regulatory bodies from different sectors was conducted (Annen & Eberhardt, 2015). The results lead to the selection of the health and ICT sector, because they vary significantly regarding systemic context factors.…”

“…The German laws on recognition of foreign qualifications – the so called Recognition Act – aim to address skills shortages by fostering qualified migration from abroad, as well as by improving societal integration and access to the labour market of people with foreign acquired qualifications who already live in Germany. The German laws on recognition of foreign qualifications comprises regulated as well as unregulated occupations and based on these laws people have the right to have their foreign qualifications evaluated to determine its equivalence to a comparable German qualification (Annen & Eberhardt, 2015, p. 2438; BMBF, 2014, p. 22). The aim of this process is to increase the acceptance of foreign qualifications in the labour market through formal recognition of equivalence and facilitate the integration of applicants in competing with job applicants with a domestic qualification (BMBF, 2014, p. 33).In Germany, migration policy, labour market policy and the laws on recognition are not linked to each other.…”

“…The aim of this process is to increase the acceptance of foreign qualifications in the labour market through formal recognition of equivalence and facilitate the integration of applicants in competing with job applicants with a domestic qualification (BMBF, 2014, p. 33).In Germany, migration policy, labour market policy and the laws on recognition are not linked to each other. To enter the labour market, especially in non‐regulated occupations, a formal recognition is not a prerequisite for migration (Annen & Eberhardt, 2015, p. 2439; BMBF, 2014, p. 21).…”

“…In Canada, in the recent past, the process of the estimation and recognition of foreign qualifications was discussed politically especially in the context of national coordination through the ‘Pan‐Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications’, which led to the determination of normative criteria relevant for all stakeholders (Annen & Eberhardt, 2015; Forum of Labour Market Ministers [FLMM], 2009). The Pan‐Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications describes the ideal steps and processes that provincial governments aspire to build in order to address the current gaps to successful immigrant labour market integration (Annen & Eberhardt, 2015, p. 2440; FLMM, 2009, p. 5).…”