Electricians from abroad - Recognition of the certification of qualifications

The shortage of skilled labour is here, and not just in Germany. It is spreading in many countries and, like these countries, Germany is also in the process of paving the way for foreign skilled workers. However, this also means that their certifications must be recognised. New laws and regulations are being created to make it easier to hire electricians from other countries.

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How does the Skilled Immigration Act simplify access to the German labour market for electricians from abroad?

The Skilled Labour Immigration Act, which is now coming into force, is designed to simplify the process of recruiting electricians from abroad. This starts with facilitating access to various professions. This means that qualifications from abroad should also make it possible to find a similar job here in Germany. This applies to the exact same professions as the qualification and also to professions that are related to them.

Academic qualifications will also be given broader access to professions. This means that they can also work in the fields for which they have studied and in professions that are related to these fields. This also means that electrical engineering engineers can now carry out a wider range of activities in Germany.

How is it made easier for foreign electricians to find a job in Germany?

For the job search itself, a entry to Germany made easier. However, this requires that the qualification itself is recognised and that German language skills at the Level B1 can be proven.

Trial jobs of up to 10 hours per week can now be carried out during the job search. This allows job seekers within Germany to gain their first experience in a company and prove themselves there.

What relief is available for employers?

It is now possible for employers to apply for an accelerated procedure for skilled workers. This means that skilled workers from third countries can be recognised in just 2 months. This means that foreign electricians can now enter Germany more quickly.

It is now also possible to obtain a residence permit in Germany for qualification measures. This allows the differences in qualifications between the skilled worker's home country and Germany to be equalised. It is also possible to work in a profession alongside the qualification programme.

Accommodation options

The residence options have been extended. This means that the residence permit for skilled workers for qualification programmes has been extended from 18 to 24 months. This also takes into account the long waiting periods that often precede examinations.

In addition, placement agreements can be concluded with the BA. This allows electricians to enter Germany before the recognition procedure has even begun. However, the BA must make an agreement with the labour administration of the country of origin for this.

How are foreign qualifications in the electrical trade recognised in Germany?

With the globalisation of the labour market, skilled workers from other countries can also use their experience and certificates to work in Germany. Here they fill the gaps in the labour market that are increasingly emerging. However, this also poses challenges, particularly in terms of how these foreign qualifications should be handled. It is difficult to understand how thoroughly the competent authorities have checked the qualifications and whether the documents submitted meet German requirements.

It is important to consider both the testing standards and the fulfilment of German requirements, because ultimately the same benchmarks are involved. The safety in the workplace must be ensured. This applies both to the work itself and to the result of the work. This means that there must be no risk to personnel and other persons in the vicinity either during or after the installation work. There must also be no risk of damage to property, which can easily reach very great heights.

Why is good training important?

Good training minimises the risks and dangers. However, if this training is proven, this does not mean that the training itself was carried out abroad with the necessary care. The company must therefore ensure that the skilled worker actually has the technical skills, understanding and due care required to work in this country.

Qualifications that are inaccurate or that are believed too quickly can lead to a safety risk. However, the risk does not always have to result in personal injury or extensive damage to property. It can also manifest itself in inaccurate or inadequate work, which then leads to damage to the company's reputation.

This means that it is in everyone's interest to ensure that the new employees actually meet the required standard at all times and everywhere. They must also be familiar with German standards and regulations and have the sense of responsibility to comply with them.

What are the qualifications of electricians made up of?

There are several building blocks for the electrical trade that determine whether an employee is qualified for the tasks and work of an electrician or not. The first step is training. This serves to impart the specialist knowledge for the profession and to create a standardised basic knowledge that can later be used for all work.

• After completing their training, electricians must be able to work safely and efficiently install various electrical systems. These must also be able to be maintained and repaired. Training in Germany is governed by the provisions of the Vocational Training Act and the Crafts Code. These regulations provide the framework that applies to training. But that is by no means all.
• After the training programme professional experience It is also important to keep pace with developments in the labour market and technology. This means that the Skills from training must be utilised and constantly expanded. They make it possible for the person concerned to work independently and to be able to find solutions and recognise and avoid dangers at an early stage.
• Further training courses must also be attended in order to update specialist knowledge. These serve, among other things, to communicate the latest standards and safety regulations as well as technical changes to the systems.

What is important for the employer when hiring electricians from abroad?

It is important for employers to be aware of their responsibility here. He selects the employees and is responsible for their work. They must therefore assess whether they have the necessary knowledge from their training and professional experience and whether they have continuously developed this knowledge.

If this responsibility is forgotten or only half-heartedly fulfilled, there is a risk of inefficient work in the workplace. There are also risks to the safety of those involved and the subsequent users of the electrical installations.

The employer is therefore obliged to check the qualifications. This is done not only by looking at the certificates, but also by testing the employee in the field. Initially, the employee must be monitored to determine whether they are able to carry out the required work with the necessary care, in the right way and with the required quality.

TRBS 1203 also plays a role in the assessment of the employee. The regulations specify the qualifications and experience required to carry out work on electrical systems and equipment. In this context, § 2(6) of the BetrSichV, the regulations on operational safety, must also be observed. They require that persons with the appropriate qualifications inspect electrical systems. This is intended to avoid hazards and legal risks.

Which standards should the qualified electrician from abroad fulfil?

The startup DIN VDE 1000-10 describes the requirements for an electrician from abroad. This person must be familiar with the relevant standards and be able to assess work on electrical engineering and recognise the associated potential hazards. This means that this person must have sufficient technical knowledge to work on electrical engineering and assess the safety of the work. The knowledge must not only be theoretical. The person must also have the associated practical skills.

To ensure that someone is a qualified electrician, it is not enough just to complete the technical training. Rather, it is also important that formal, theoretical training has taken place. In addition, this must be accompanied by practice-orientated training sections.

• The training must at least meet the standards that also apply to German training. This means that at least the same content must be taught. More content is not a problem, but less is not permitted.
• In addition, the person must have demonstrated in the practical part that they can also put the theoretical knowledge into practice. In other words, they must have shown that they can actually work.
• The training must be followed by several years of work in the relevant field. As a qualified electrician, sufficient professional experience is essential. This demonstrates that the person is able to handle standardised tasks and is also able to master new and complex challenges.

It is also important to distinguish between a skilled worker and a highly qualified specialist. Skilled workers have the training and experience to carry out various basic tasks in the field of electrical engineering. Highly qualified specialists, on the other hand, are able to take on complex tasks. This primarily includes working on more sophisticated systems. To do this, they have specialised knowledge in these areas. The difference results from the breadth and depth of training.

The evaluation of certificates from foreign electricians

The certificates from abroad have to be assessed, but that is a challenge in itself. This is simply because electrical engineering requires precise expertise and a good knowledge of safety regulations is essential.

Foreign skilled workers must prove with their certificates that the qualifications they have attested correspond to German standards. Various international assessment systems and standards can be used for this purpose.

The NVQ level

The NVQ level, which stands for National Vocational Qualification, is one of the best-known international assessment systems. It has mainly spread in the Commonwealth countries and is now also being used more and more in Europe.

The NVQ level is used to categorise a person's skills and qualifications in a specialist area. Each level represents a very specific level of expertise. The levels range from simple, basic qualifications to advanced knowledge in a specialised field.

In order to fulfil the German requirements for the electrical sector, a skilled worker must have at least NVQ level 2. This is comparable to basic training as a skilled worker. NVQ level 3 is already required for advanced training.

It is also important to ensure that the level relates to the occupational safety requirements and technical standards that we demand in Germany. This assessment system therefore provides a useful guide for comparing different skilled workers and their qualifications. However, it still needs to be harmonised with German standards and regulations.

The ISCO standard

The ISCO standard, for International Standard Classification of Occupations, is another system that is internationally recognised and allows qualifications to be compared. It was developed by the ILO, the International Labour Organisation.

The ISCO standard categorises occupations into different groups. The electrical engineering occupations can be found twice. Once they are categorised as skilled workers in groups 741 and 742 and once as specialists with further training in group 215.

In Germany, this standard can be used to determine the international professional level of skilled workers. It can be used to assess the qualifications of international applicants. They can also be compared with the German requirements for the profession. However, here too, the ISCO standard only provides a rough guide.

The German Qualifications Framework

The DQR (German Qualifications Framework) is decisive for Germany. This allows the qualifications of international skilled workers to be classified in a standardised way and thus compared with the German system and level.

The DQR uses a total of 8 levels. Levels 1 to 4 are for skilled workers and levels 5 to 8 are for academics. The DQR can be used to check whether a training programme meets the German requirements for the electrical sector. However, this is a more general definition, as DQR 6, for example, corresponds to a master craftsman title.

Conclusion

The recruitment of foreign labour is associated with an assessment of different qualifications from different countries with different requirements. The current legal situation makes it easier to integrate foreign employees into the German labour market. It helps that the recognition of certificates of foreign electricians in Germany is not mandatory.

However, it is necessary that the company employing the specialists ensures that they fulfil the requirements of German law. This means that they must have the necessary expertise to install and maintain the electrical systems safely and in accordance with our standards. This means that the employees are obliged to check their qualifications accordingly.