Finding a job in Germany: A Guide
In an effort to address the growing demand for skilled healthcare workers, Germany has established several government-supported programmes to facilitate the recruitment, migration, and professional integration of international professionals.
One such key player is the ZAV (Central Placement Office of the Federal Employment Agency), which connects international skilled professionals with German employers across various fields, including healthcare and nursing. The ZAV offers a job placement service, endorsing job opportunities that can streamline the visa and work permit processes for prospective employees.
For healthcare professionals, such as doctors or nurses, the first step in applying for work in Germany is to ensure that their foreign qualifications are officially recognized in the country. Nurses applying through the Triple Win Program, a collaboration between Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the International Placement Services (ZAV), typically need to have a qualified nursing degree and complete required technical and language trainings to meet German standards.
The Triple Win Program, launched to address Germany’s nursing shortage, recruits qualified nurses from countries such as India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. To apply, candidates must go through local partner organizations or agencies connected to the program in their home country. Selected candidates receive support in German language training, professional and personal development, and help with credential recognition within a year of arrival. The program also facilitates obtaining a work visa and residence permit for stays from one to three years.
Doctors, on the other hand, must undergo an equivalence assessment and pass the Kenntnisprüfung (knowledge exam) to prove medical competency before practicing in Germany.
Vietnam's Triple Win programme enables young people with nursing experience to take a three-year nursing training programme and gain subsequent employment in Germany. Additionally, the "Specialized!" programme supports Colombian and Mexican doctors in obtaining full medical licensing in Germany, including going through the recognition process and completing specialist medical training.
The German government also collaborates with Mexico's national employment agency to recruit trained nurses for hospitals in Germany.
For those interested in these opportunities, regular updates about the "Specialized!" programme can be found online, and details about the Triple Win programme can be found on the BA (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) website. Current job offers for trained nurses in Germany can also be found on the BA website.
Whether you're a nurse or a doctor, the ZAV's services are designed to help international professionals start training or work in Germany. The opportunities provided by the ZAV are for nursing specialists and registered nurses, offering a coordinated approach that supports both the German healthcare system and the immigrant professionals involved.
Eins: Interested individuals can find detailed information about the Triple Win program on the BA (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) website, which also contains current job offers for trained nurses in Germany.
Zwei: For a comprehensive approach to education, self-development, career development, and job search in Germany, particularly in the healthcare sector, the ZAV's services are an essential resource, providing opportunities for nursing specialists and registered nurses alike.
