On 1 February 2020, the Central Service Point for Professional Recognition (ZSBA) began its work for an initial period of four years. As an accompanying measure to the Skilled Workers Immigration Act, the ZSBA advises and supports skilled workers abroad who want to work in Germany in the recognition of their professional qualifications. This is intended to make the recognition procedure more transparent and efficient for skilled workers. At the same time, this should relieve the burden on the offices responsible for professional recognition in Germany. Using individual data from the ZSBA and its own quantitative and qualitative surveys of guidance counsellors, guidance officers and employees of competent bodies and other stakeholders, the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training has investigated the extent to which the Service Agency has achieved these goals after around 2.5 years of operation. The evaluation report documents that the ZSBA has assisted almost 10,000 people during this period. Most of them come from third countries and are often trained in health or technical professions. Most of them express satisfaction with the service provided by the ZSBA. It is established as a new actor, fills a gap in the counselling process and is already used by a large part of the competent bodies. The report also describes potential for optimisation and contains recommendations for action, for example with regard to counselling in the mother tongue, visibility and distribution of professionals across the federal territory.

Jessica Erbe , Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB), Bonn, Jonathan Zorner , Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB), Bonn, Vira Bushanska , Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB), Bonn