Recognition stakeholders
Vocational recognition in Germany has many stakeholders. We present the key stakeholders to you in a summary.
Anerkennung in Deutschland, the anabin database and the BQ portal are the three central information portals for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications. They work closely together, thus ensuring high-quality and consistent content.
The anabin database provides information about the assessment of foreign education certificates. It helps authorities, employers and private individuals to classify a foreign qualification within the German education system. The Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) in the Secretariat of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK) is responsible for the content and technical function of the database.
anabin: Database of the Central Office for Foreign Education
The BQ Portal provides chambers and companies with a comprehensive online knowledge and working platform. Its purpose is to enable improved evaluation and assessment of foreign professional qualifications which are based on a dual initial or advanced vocational education and training qualification regulated at federal level as the reference occupation in Germany. The BQ Portal is implemented on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) by the German Economic Institute (IW).
BQ Portal – Information portal for foreign professional qualifications
Further Recognition stakeholders
Costs of a recognition procedure or a statement of compatibility can be reimbursed via the Federal Government's recognition grant. The funding is administered by the Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (f-bb) and made available by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
Project Anerkannt (“Recognised”) in the educational institute of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB-Bildungswerk BUND) supports the recognition culture in companies and departments. The product is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and provides information to company-based lobbying groups about the opportunities linked to the recognition of a foreign professional qualification. Those involved in companies and trade unions are supported and establishing recognition in companies.
Project “Anerkannt” of the Educational Institute of the German Trade Union Confederation
The hotline “Working and Living in Germany” provides advice on the subjects of recognition of foreign professional qualifications, entry and residence, learning German and seeking work, employment and careers. It is run jointly by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and the Federal Employment Agency (BA). It is based on cooperation between the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI), the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), and the Federal Employment Agency (BA).
Hotline – Working and Living in Germany
The “Integration through Qualification (IQ)” network provides information, one-to-one counselling and training on the recognition of foreign professional qualifications at a national level. Its objective is to improve labour market opportunities for people from a migration background. Network IQ is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) and the European Social Fund (ESF). Strategic partners in implementing the programme are the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Federal Employment Agency (BA).
“Integration through Qualification (IQ)” network
“Make it in Germany” is the Federal Government's multilingual portal for skilled workers from abroad. It provides those interested in immigration as well as companies with reliable information on the subjects of entry and visas, seeking work and recruitment, as well as working and living in Germany. The portal is implemented on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) by the German Economic Institute (IW).
ProRecognition is a project funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) which supports recognition counselling abroad. It is coordinated in close cooperation with the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) by DIHK Service GmbH. ProRecognition currently provides counselling at a local level for skilled workers in 10 countries and is based in the Chambers of Foreign Trade and in Delegations of German Industry and Commerce (AHKs).
Professional recognition for business (Unternehmen Berufsanerkennung, UBA) provides information to companies about the options for professional recognition and makes them aware of the opportunities for companies associated with this. UBA offers companies specific support as well as communication services and networking opportunities. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) , coordinated in the areas of industry and commerce by DIHK Service GmbH, and in the craft trades by the Central Agency for Continuing Vocational Education and Training in the Skilled Crafts (ZWH).
Professional recognition for business (UBA)
The Service Center for Professional Recognition (ZSBA) counsels skilled workers living abroad and supports them in the recognition procedure. The ZSBA expands on the initial counselling provided by the hotline “Working and Living in Germany”. It is based at the Centre for International Migration and Development (ZAV) in the Federal Employment Agency (BA) and is being funded for an initial phase of four years by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
Stakeholders in the recognition process
Graphic stakeholders in the recognition process. In: Report on the Recognition Act 2019. Decision of the Federal Cabinet of 11 December 2019. Berlin: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
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