Counselling

Chatbot Aidy offers skilled workers initial advice on recognition

Initial solution: The issue of recognition of foreign professional qualifications is complex for many skilled workers, which makes it all the more important to provide the best possible information and advice. The „Anerkennung in Deutschland“ portal already offers comprehensive information and numerous support tools, but user habits are changing as a result of artificial intelligence. Many people want quick, structured and personalised answers to their questions.
Counselling centres also provide important support in this regard. However, with increasing demand, there are sometimes longer waiting times for an initial appointment. Individual advice is particularly effective when skilled workers have already obtained initial information. An intuitive, low-threshold and multilingual option for initial orientation not only supports skilled workers, but also relieves the burden on counselling centres. The Aidy chatbot is a digital service that addresses precisely this issue.

Solution approach: The Aidy chatbot provides skilled workers with even better support on their path to recognition – easily and around the clock.

Aidy answers individual questions about recognition directly in the chat, offering users initial guidance for their specific case. The chatbot draws on the content of „Anerkennung in Deutschland“ and displays it in response to individual questions. These include, for example, questions about the competent authority for the recognition procedure, the language level required for the profession, or the documents needed to submit an application. Aidy understands numerous languages and responds in German to German-language input or in English to foreign-language queries.

The chatbot is constantly being developed. It is already clear that the service is well received. Between 50 and 100 people use the digital assistant every day. Aidy can thus help to make initial guidance on recognition even more accessible and easier to use. Skilled workers can go into personal consultations well prepared, and the counselling centres can use their resources in a more targeted manner – a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Chatbot Aidy
Contact: Karoline Kaibel-Kleinlütke (BIBB)

A group of doctors and nurses stand in the sunlight

National exchange formats simplify the professional recognition of medical professions

Initial solution: The recognition of healthcare professions is carried out by different competent authorities depending on the federal state or region. While the process of recognition is essentially regulated by federal law, interpretations or administrative practices can differ between the federal states. Since 2015, the Recognition Monitoring Department of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) has been organising exchange formats for the competent authorities on behalf of the BMBF, among other things to offer the authorities a platform and ensure greater uniformity.

Solution approach: A series of workshops is currently focusing, for example, on recommendations to the competent authorities in order to standardise document requirements in the context of recognition. More standardised requirements should make the process more transparent for professionals and advisory services.

A series of workshops is currently focusing, for example, on recommendations to the competent authorities in order to standardise document requirements in the context of recognition. More standardised requirements should make the process more transparent for professionals and advisory services.

Exchange format for health care professions on BIBB.de

Contact: Moritz Scholz (BIBB)

Male nursery school teacher reads to a group of children

National exchange formats standardise the recognition of nursery school teacher occupations

Initial solution: The occupation of nursery school teacher is regulated at federal state level and, therefore, different regulations govern the recognition of nursery school teacher occupations. The processes involved also differ. On behalf of the BMBF, the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training is working together in regular workshops with representatives from the federal states’ competent authorities and other federal state and federal government representatives to produce specific measures and recommendations aimed at harmonising the recognition processes.

Solution approach: These regular meetings of the relevant federal state recognition offices are offered by the BIBB recognition monitoring project to simplify and standardise recognition for nursery school teacher occupations.

Depending on the context, other participants also include representatives of the relevant federal state ministries, the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB), the IQ Competence Centre for Recognition and Job Training (FSAQ), the BMBF and the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ). The presentation of the initial results in 2023 was well received: these included sample notices which have been developed to ensure greater transparency. Another tool is the sheet supplementing the sample notice. This sets out in visual form the stage in the procedure and the options available for the applicants to take. The results are also being incorporated into the overall strategy for nursery school teachers.

Exchange format for education and social affairs on BIBB.de

Recommendations of the ‘Overall Skilled Labour Strategy’ working group

Model notices

Contact: Dinara Tursarinow (BIBB)

Counselling

The federal government, states and chambers are working to simplify and accelerate recognition. Here you can find examples of how it can work better.

Chatbot Aidy offers skilled workers initial advice on recognition

National exchange formats simplify the professional recognition of medical professions

National exchange formats standardise the recognition of nursery school teacher occupations

Report examples of good practice