18.06.2025 - Today, the UBA network was launched during an official inaugural event in Berlin.

Almost 300 participants followed the kick-off event of the new corporate network for skilled worker immigration and recognition, either onsite at Quadriga Forum or online. Representatives from companies, the Federal Employment Agency, the IHK FOSA (Foreign Skills Approval), the Federal Ministry for Education, Family, Seniors, Women and Youth, as well as the IHK Region Stuttgart and the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry discussed how qualified skilled worker immigration can succeed, the necessary support structures, and future perspectives.

Dr. Achim Dercks, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of DIHK, opened the event and highlighted that, despite a weakening economy, a shortage of skilled workers persists in many areas. “Access to qualified skilled workers has long been a critical competitive factor. However, the immigration of skilled workers is still unfamiliar territory for many small and medium-sized companies.”

The newly created corporate network aims to address this need. From today, businesses can register for free: The UBA network offers practical and targeted support for companies entering the field of skilled worker immigration. It provides comprehensible information on immigration procedures and professional recognition, complemented by individualized advisory services, consultations, practical tutorials, and hands-on guides.

“A contact point like the UBA network, where reliable information is accessible and direct referrals to appropriate bodies are made, would have significantly simplified my entry into recruiting international skilled workers,”says Maria Glišić, Team Leader Recruiting at Länderbahn GmbH, and expresses her pleasure about “being one of the founding members of the network in the future.” Additionally, Jan Reifenberger, Project Manager for Securing Skilled Workers at SCHOTT AG, highlighted the importance of experience exchange within the network: “I’m very curious to learn how other companies practically implement skilled worker immigration. Networking provides a great opportunity to learn from one another. I’m particularly looking forward to it!”

A significant benefit for member companies in the network is exclusive access to the matching service UBAconnect, where businesses can connect with international skilled workers who already have partial recognition of their professional qualifications. This advantage allows skilled workers to enter, be employed, and further qualify immediately. It offers a concrete solution for qualified immigration.

During the inaugural event, the first founding members of the network were honored. Dr. Stefan Luther from the Federal Ministry for Education, Family, Seniors, Women and Youth emphasized: “Recognition of foreign professional qualifications is a central element alongside other key factors for the sustainable integration of international skilled workers into our labor market. To harness this potential, committed companies are needed to pursue this path – and strong networks to support them along the way. We are convinced that the shortage of skilled workers can only be effectively tackled together, and precisely for this reason, we support the establishment of the UBA network.”

The network for skilled worker immigration and recognition is implemented by the “Business Recognition” project. The network and project are supported by the Federal Ministry for Education, Family, Seniors, Women and Youth as well as the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Interested companies can register at www.unternehmen-berufsanerkennung.de/netzwerk and avail of the network’s offerings. Membership in the network is free of charge.

Press Contact

The “Business Recognition” project team: https://www.unternehmen-berufsanerkennung.de/kontakt  

Contact us at uba@dihk.de