Welcoming culture for international skilled workers: How to get started!

Welcoming culture for international skilled workers: How to get started!

On August 20, 2025, an event took place at Goethe University that focused on the welcoming culture for foreign skilled workers. The event was organized by the International Career Service Rhein-Main, a network of five universities in southern Hesse. This initiative is particularly relevant as employers in the Rhine-Main region are urgently looking for highly qualified specialists, while forecasts suggest that there will be a shortage of around 28,000 academics in Frankfurt by 2030. With around 25,000 international students at these universities, there is considerable potential here, but it is not being used sufficiently.

A central aim of the event was to draw attention to the difficulties that international graduates face. Many cannot find access to the Hessian labor market. The reasons for this are often a lack of knowledge about access to the labor market, a lack of German language skills and limited contacts with the region. The Hessian Ministry of Science and Research has been supporting the International Career Service Rhein-Main since 2023, the aim of which is to support the securing of skilled workers and to appeal to international graduates.

Challenges and support offers

The International Career Service offers international students valuable information about the German job market as well as support with applications and interviews. Another step to improve integration is the formation of a round table and advisory board to network universities and business. The RAISE tool plays a crucial role here as it bundles the offers for international students.

The need for a culture of welcome was clearly demonstrated by the event. International students have identified potential for improvement in the current welcoming culture. Companies and administrations must be made aware of the importance of an open and welcoming culture. Changes in structures and processes are required to promote openness and participation. However, creating this welcoming culture takes time and commitment.

Cross-industry need for skilled workers

The shortage of skilled workers not only affects individual companies, but also represents a challenge for society as a whole. According to the federal government, there will be a shortage of around 240,000 skilled workers in both training and academic professions in Germany by 2026. Every year, around 25,000 international graduates enter the German job market. Dr. Kai Sicks, Secretary General of the DAAD, highlights the potential of these international students to close the skilled worker gap.

The number of international students in Germany is increasing, particularly in the MINT subjects (mathematics, engineering, natural sciences, technology). Over half of these students are enrolled in these disciplines. Due to the general need for skilled workers at an academic level in Germany, other subject groups also offer good career prospects.

In order to improve international students' access to the German labor market, the DAAD has identified three main areas that should be focused on: facilitating university entrance and visa issuance, improving student success and targeted support when entering professional life. As part of the International Skills Campus Initiative, the DAAD works with 104 universities and supports over 114 projects with a budget of 120 million euros.

The offers range from language preparation and application training to the creation of personal networks. In addition, the DAAD organizes policy and stakeholder dialogues to improve the labor market integration of international students and to attract the skilled workers it has acquired to Germany in the long term.

These multi-faceted approaches highlight the importance of creating an environment that not only attracts international students, but also actually offers them prospects and support that extend beyond graduation. This is the only way to find a sustainable solution to the shortage of skilled workers in Germany.

For more information on these topics, you can consult the reports from Puk, HRK and DAAD be consulted.