Beating the Talent Crunch: Speeding Up the Approval Process for Expert Foreign Workers Proposed by Hessian Business Associations
Employers pursue quicker approval processes for foreign talent with specialized skills. - European Commission Returns with Proposed Directive for Integration of New Regulations
Let's cut to the chase, shall we? With a glaring gap in skilled workers, the Hessian Business Associations (VBHU, if you're curious) has thrown its hat into the ring, proposing a speedier recognition process for qualified foreign workers to tackle the crisis head-on. Here's the lowdown on their fresh ideas:
Exclusive Staff for Specialist ProceduresIn overburdened foreigner's offices, dedicated teams should focus solely on processing specialist applications.
Priority AppointmentsForeign authorities should offer appointments exclusively for working migrants on a weekly basis, with a focus on streamlining decision-ready applications.
Oh, and the early bird catches the worm!To kick off a career without unnecessary delays, Hessian authorities should allow employment in the training profession post-exam, even before the residence title is issued. Similarly, qualified employment should be a go even before the successful completion of a German degree.
"Fast Lane" for Foreign SpecialistsThe state government needs to implement the promised "Fast Lane" for foreign specialists mentioned in the coalition agreement, emphasizes VBHU chief, Dirk Pollert. This new lane aims to bring foreign workers into the job market more quickly through centralized administrative structures and prioritizing IT specialists.
Surfacing Skilled Workers, Not MigrantsVBHU makes it clear that the focus is on importing skilled workers, keeping humanitarian immigration separate from the conversation.
Remember, these suggestions are aimed at combating the shortage of skilled workers in Hesse. While digging into data, we found some interesting tidbits, but they don't directly link to VBHU's specific proposals:
- Entrepreneurship Education Programs in Germany: A survey highlighted the need for improved entrepreneurship education and support programs to address regional economic challenges, helping with talent development.[5]
- Co-Creation in Academic Education: A presentation stressed the importance of co-creating academic education to enhance future skills, particularly for service industries.[5]
For a detailed breakdown of VBHU's proposals, more context from Hessian employer association documents would be helpful. Our search resulted in broader themes like healthcare workforce shortages[3], Alzheimer’s care barriers[2][4], and service sector innovation[5], but lacked precise policy details for the region.
[5] Source: AHFE 2025 Conference (Session 10)
- The Hessian Business Associations (VBHU) prioritize the speedier recognition process for qualified foreign workers to address the talent crunch in Hesse, particularly focusing on specialist applications.
- To expedite the employment process for foreign workers, Hessian authorities should consider offering priority appointments for working migrants and allow employment in the training profession post-exam.
- To bring foreign workers into the job market more quickly, the state government is encouraged to implement the "Fast Lane" for foreign specialists, as promised in the coalition agreement, focusing on centralized administrative structures and prioritizing IT specialists.
- VBHU emphasizes the necessity of importing skilled workers while keeping humanitarian immigration separate from the conversation, and they support improved entrepreneurship education programs and co-creation in academic education to address regional economic challenges and enhance future skills, particularly for service industries.
