In the interview, Daniel Wörndl, Dirk Werner and Gesina Leininger from the German Economic Institute (IW) explain the findings from the IW study entitled “Recognition of foreign professional qualifications from a corporate perspective".
The German Economic Institute has conducted a representative survey of over 800 companies addressing their experiences with the recognition of foreign vocational qualifications. In the interview, Gesina Leininger, the study’s author; Dirk Werner, Head of the Vocational Education and Training Research Unit; and Daniel Wörnd, BQ-Portal Teamleader, discuss the key findings and also the recognition partnership.
What was the reason for the study and which findings are particularly notable?
Daniel Wörndl: We have been working in the topic area of professional recognition via the BQ Portal for over 13 years. We were therefore delighted to have the opportunity, on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, to analyse what companies think of recognition. One finding we assessed very positively is that companies are getting involved in professional recognition primarily out of respect for their employees (72 percent). A virtually identical percentage of companies stated they were supporting recognition with a view to retaining employees over the long term.
Gesina Leininger: It was time to ask about the company experience. If professional recognition is to remain successful, we must also find out what is going well and perhaps not quite so well from the business perspective. It is good to see that a lot of companies who have not engaged with recognition until now (32 percent) are showing an interest in the topic. We now need to motivate these companies to get involved and provide them with the right information.
Dirk Werner: The study also allows us to highlight the main points at European level. It is exciting to engage in international discussions in this respect. Issues relating to improved employee mobility, skills in Europe and greater transparency in recognition procedures are also a concern for the EU Commission. We presented our findings to the European Economic and Social Committee and in the EU Parliament and had the opportunity here to discuss these issues directly with those responsible in the Commission.
What are the benefits of recognition from the employer perspective?
Gesina Leininger: Companies value reliable statements about the content delivered in the foreign training (74 percent). This core function of the Recognition Act is assessed as very good. Implementation of the recognition process is currently rated less well, in particular in the case of migration from abroad – in this respect there is still scope for us to improve the speed and degree of digitalisation.
Dirk Werner: The findings show that recognition provides added value for companies. The information in the recognition notice improves the transparency of existing competencies. If knowledge is still missing when compared against German occupational profiles, then companies and employees specifically draw on continuing education and training to address this. Generally speaking, companies can use the recognition notice as a guide if, for example, they receive applications from a roofer from Canada or a vehicle mechatronics technician from India.
How do the companies surveyed assess the recognition partnership?
Dirk Werner: The recognition partnership is assessed very positively. In particular, companies with experience, who are already familiar with the challenges posed by the recognition procedure and the potential it offers, view the recognition partnership in an even more positive light. They value the fact that new employees can enter Germany, get to work straight away in the company and make their way – with the company alongside them – through training and recognition.
What do employers want from recognition in the future?
Daniel Wörndl: Information flow and guidance is the number one requirement. Companies which still have no experience of the recognition process feel they do not receive enough information and advice. We were very pleased to read that those companies with experience are able to find the exact information they need on information portals such as our BQ Portal. There is also a huge need for faster and digital procedures. On our platform, we therefore look to digital networking and AI-based translations of foreign curricula to make the procedures faster. There is certainly a lot happening in the recognition landscape overall, for example with the digital applications via the Recognition Finder and the “Anerkennung in Deutschland” chat bot.
The interview took place in July 2025. Gesina Leininger, Dirk Werner and Daniel Wörndl are researchers at the German Economic Institute (IW). The study entitled “Recognition of foreign professional qualifications from a corporate perspective” was prepared by Gesina Leininger, Sarah Pierenkemper, Dirk Werner, Luena Zifle, Franziska Arndt and Gero Kunath on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and was published in March 2025 as the ninth IW report. Information and contacts
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