Your Directions
The directions lead you step by step to the most important information.
To Your DirectionsSkilled workers: your career in the Ruhr region
Have you decided to lend fresh impetus to your career and chosen to work in the Ruhr region? You are very welcome! Whether they have a university degree or a vocational training qualification, skilled workers are very much in demand with the companies of the Ruhr region. Because there are already shortages of qualified candidates for jobs in some sectors. In other words, there are good prospects for a job in one of the largest metropolitan regions in Europe.
These professions are in demand
The markets of the future have shifted in the Ruhr region in recent years. Where the economy was long characterised by the mining and steel industries, the industrial core has now been joined by areas such as resource efficiency, logistics, digital economy or healthcare. Skilled workers are urgently required in these fields. Highly-qualified experts in technical areas such as engineering and motor vehicles, mechatronics, automation and electrical engineering are in particular demand. In addition, there is also a shortage of qualified personnel in the healthcare and nursing care professions.
Your employers: SMEs and major companies
The Ruhr region is home to companies that have some of the largest turnovers in Germany. These include world-famous firms such as RWE, Thyssen-Krupp, Evonik Industries, Klöckner, Aldi and Hochtief. In addition, the economy of the Ruhr region is also characterised by outstanding small and medium-sized enterprises as well as creative Start Ups who are amongst the world leaders in their respective fields. To maintain their competitive edge in the future there is a high demand for qualified skilled employees in the companies of the Ruhr region.
Are you interested in working in the Ruhr region? Here you will find all the important information that you require: from the first job search to obtaining a residence permit and recognition, the employment contract, tax and the possibility of completing vocational training.
New skilled workers immigration law for Germany with facilitated access to the German labour market
Started March 1st 2020 - new and regulations for immigration of skilled workers enter into force by law.
- easier access to German job market opening for the professionally qualified without an academic degree,
- Prerequisites are: a recognized professional qualification, a fix job offer, own financing of costs of living and knowledge of the German language.
- No restriction of selected branches and no priority test for locals and EU citizens – working is permitted in all jobs to which the qualification is entitled.
- Germany may also be entered for job search - up to 6 months. Social benefit payment is excluded meanwhile. There is no legal claim to this type of entry.
- For IT professionals, conditions are more relaxed with work experience and a specific job offer.
- Recognised refugees with a residence Permit may accept any job offered.
- Asylum seekers with a temporary resident permit must apply to the Aliens Authority or to the Migrants Section of the Citizens Registration Office for permission to accept specific employment. These offices can also coordinate permissions with the Employment Agency.
An Overview about Job offers within the Ruhr region espacially for refugees is offered by
- Further information about arrival in Germany:
Looking for a job that matches your professional background? There is a range of job exchanges in the Ruhr region where you can search for job offers in individual towns and cities and their surrounding areas.
Job search in the Ruhr region with the regional Job market of the Funke Medien Gruppe:
Digital Jobs in Essen:
Job search for students:
Job search with the employment exchanges:
Stellenbörse der Europäischen Kommission
Whether or not you require a visa to work in the Ruhr region depends on your country of origin. As a rule, foreign citizens wishing to work or study in Germany require a visa. However, there are exceptions.
- Find out the terms that apply for your country of origin here:
Overview of all countries with a visa requirement
- The visa must be applied for prior to arrival from the German diplomatic representation in your country of origin (e.g. German embassy or consulate general).
- A Video that explains the process of Visa application is offererd by the Onlineportal make-it-in-Germany:
- Forms for your visa application can be downloaded here:
- Academics that do not come from an EU state have the opportunity to obtain an EU Blue Card as work and residence permit. This must be applied for prior to arrival from a German diplomatic representation in your country of origin. Less strict rules for visa and residency apply for the Blue Card. Further information can be found here:
- There are different kinds of visa depending whether you are a worker, a work seeker, come for recognition of professional qualification due to start a job or for founding a business.
- Further information on authorisation for the German labour market for foreign employees can be found here:
- For employers there is an offer for so called "eccelerate proceedings" taken by "Zentralstelle für Fachkräfteeinwanderung NRW“ (ZFE), whre they can support their labour immigrants by clearing advices of alien and recognition aspects.
- For NRW the fast track pocedure is managed by „Zentralstelle Fachkräfteeinwanderung NRW“ (ZFE) in Bonn.
- Empolyers can start this process with power of attorney from the skilled worker.
Zur Zentralstelle Fachkräfteeinwanderung NRW
Overview fast track procedure
offered by make-it-in-Germany
- Foreign professional qualifications count. However, not all qualifications can be transferred exactly to German equivalents. Whether or not you need to have your qualification recognised in Germany depends on your profession. For some qualifications recognition is a prerequisite in order to be able to work in Germany.
- However, recognition is also frequently helpful for other qualifications. Because some foreign qualifications are not known to companies in Germany. Recognition of your professional qualification often makes it easier for you to apply for jobs on the German labour market.
- Sie können auch zur Anerkennung eines qualifizierten Berufsabschlusses nach Deutschland einreisen.
- Information regarding recognition can be found at the following links:
- Found a suitable job advertisement in a job exchange? The next step is to apply for it. First you will need to send your written application documents to the company that you wish to apply to. A written application typically comprises a cover letter, CV and references. Here you can find information on what you need to remember when submitting an application:
- Once you have interested a company in your application, you will be invited for an interview. You should prepare carefully for this. Read here to find out what points to pay attention to:
A company wishes to hire you? Congratulations! Your employer will issue you with an employment contract for the period of your employment. You should read through this carefully before signing it. You can read what should be contained in the employment contract and what you need to pay attention to on the portal of the German Federal Government:
Information on employment contracts
Vocational training in Germany consists of a theoretical and a practical part. Trainees learn theory either on a weekly basis or as block lessons in a vocational school, with practice taught directly at companies. This system of training is known as "dual vocational training". The period of training lasts from two to three and a half years.
- All important information regarding vocational training in Germany and your opportunities on the labour market can be found here on the portal of the German Federal Government:
Dual vocational training in Germany
- There are also certain prerequisites for commencing vocational training. All information on visas, school qualifications and language skills can be found here:
Prerequisites for commencement of training
- Looking for a training place? In our range of job exchanges listed above you have the opportunity to look for training places. Or take a look here:
Jobbörse-Stellenangebote apprenticeship exchange for the Ruhr region
As an employee in Germany you will regularly pay income tax. This is stated in your payroll accounts. All information regarding income tax, how it is calculated, how much you have to pay and who transfers it can be found on the information portal of the German Federal Government:
If you are employed at a company in Germany, then you are liable for social security contributions. Social security insures you against risks such as illness, inability to work or unemployment in old age. All information regarding social security benefits and what it costs, the social security card and your pension entitlements can be found on the information portal of the German government:
