Integration Management Concept

1. Preparations After Recruitment

After the agreement to an employment relationship between employers and employees, a process begins that is often underestimated in terms of time and effort, in which all formalities must be completed for departure, entry, and commencement of work.

The following areas and processes need to be coordinated:

Employment Contract

The employment contract plays an important role in the immigration procedure for the skilled worker as well as for the relationship between employer and employee.

CuraConnect provides the international skilled worker with the employment contract in writing, in German and additionally in their native language, before the start of employment. The employment contract meets all collective agreement requirements.

Visa for Germany

Nationals from third countries require a visa for entry that authorizes them to take up employment. The visa procedure is preceded by the procedures for residence and employment permits as well as the recognition of equivalence of the foreign professional qualification.

Recognition Procedure

In order to work as a skilled professional in Germany, the foreign professional qualification must first be recognized as equivalent in Germany.

Therefore, it is necessary to submit the application for recognition to the locally responsible recognition authority before the nursing professional enters the country. The recognition authority then conducts an equivalence assessment. In the case of nursing qualifications from third countries, significant differences from the stated reference profession are often identified in an assessment notice (so-called deficit notice). In such cases, the foreign professional qualification is considered not equivalent, so differences must be compensated through an adaptation measure in Germany (§ 16d Residence Act).

German Language Skills

To obtain a professional practice permit as a nursing professional in Germany, not only professional recognition is required, but typically also German language proficiency at B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). In the case of entry to participate in an adaptation measure (under § 16d Residence Act), visas and a temporary work permit can also be issued for nursing professionals who demonstrate a B1 level according to the CEFR. In this case, German language skills must be improved to B2 CEFR level before or during participation in an adaptation measure.

Language acquisition to B1 CEFR level takes place in the home countries in cooperation with a certified language institute. Financing and organization supported by CuraConnect.

Approval of the Federal Employment Agency

The approval of the Federal Employment Agency for the issuance of the residence permit is required to commence employment. The Federal Employment Agency also reviews the suitability of the adaptation measures for the recognition of the foreign professional qualification. For public or state-recognized educational institutions as well as publicly funded or certified measures, suitability is assumed. The foreigners' authority and the diplomatic mission adopt the review results of the Federal Employment Agency.

The application for labor market authorization is submitted by CuraConnect.

Further information can also be found on the website:

https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/

Support with Application Procedures in the Framework of Skilled Worker Immigration

Not only for Germany are there regulated procedures for international skilled worker immigration; in the countries of origin, administrative procedures must often be completed before the skilled workers can depart.

From experience, the processes of document management, government office visits, and potentially language learning can be prolonged.

Until that point, CuraConnect has defined a way to maintain reliable, close, and professional contact with the new employees still living in their country of origin.

  • At CuraConnect, the permanent contact person is Ms. Isabelle Reinshagen – she maintains contact with the immigrating skilled workers.
  • Through biweekly video conferences with the participants, this time is used constructively
  • On one hand, this provides an opportunity to gauge progress in language acquisition. Furthermore, participants have the opportunity to receive important information about future life and work in Germany, and can also directly and unbureaucratically request support from CuraConnect. This program is perceived very positively by both sides.
  • Employees also receive a station portfolio of their future area of deployment, if available
  • The nursing professionals are informed about living conditions and, especially, the nursing work situation in Germany, and have the opportunity to directly and unbureaucratically request support from CuraConnect. The meetings enjoy great response and are an important building block in the onboarding process.

2. Arrival and the First Days

Preparing for Arrival

When, after the period of recruitment, organization, and document management, it is finally possible to book the trip and the exact entry date of the recruited new employees is established, the next phase of preparations begins.

Now the arrival and first days in Germany can be coordinated and planned.

Through regular contact with CuraConnect, a close and trusting relationship has already been built. Many arrangements about what should happen in the first days, weeks, and months have already been planned with numerous details. As an uncomplicated medium, all parties appreciate the exchange via WhatsApp, as this allows for quick contact.

The New Employees

For the new employees of our company, the first days after entry are a special and often emotionally important time, which is usually talked about for a lifetime.

Providing a Welcome

It is natural to provide the newcomers with a warm welcome:

Upon Arrival

For the representatives of CuraConnect, it is important and a matter close to their hearts to personally welcome the new employees upon their arrival in Germany. For this purpose, we meet them at the airport, greet them, and bring them to their new home. Furthermore, a German SIM card for the smartphone with initial credit is provided to ensure connectivity with family and friends in the home country and with CuraConnect.

At the Company

Finally, the newly arrived will appear at their future workplace for the first time.

CuraConnect representatives accompany the new employees to their future departments and introduce them to their colleagues.

Handbook Germany

When arriving in Germany, many questions arise. Handbook Germany provides information, links, and videos about work, education, life, asylum, laws, and more. Local services can also be found through the search function.

https://handbookgermany.de/de.html

Social Media

Nursing professionals coming from abroad appreciate it when they can get an impression of their potential new employer and the workplace in Germany through a social media presence or website before recruitment.

Providing a Welcome Folder

It would be nice if the employer could provide the new employee with a welcome folder containing the most important information about the company and especially about everyday life in Germany. This provides newcomers with an important reference guide.

3. Support with Relocation Management

The Following Aspect is Particularly Important:

An international relocation is a major moment for employees.

Support with Formalities

A frequently used service at CuraConnect is support with applications, government office visits, opening a bank account, and similar matters.

A special aspect of internationally recruited nursing professionals is that the path to full professional recognition and licensing must be ensured. Employers or commissioned service providers are therefore obligated to accompany central administrative formalities during immigration. For example:

  • Registration of a residential address in Germany
  • Participation in a recognition procedure
  • Reporting to the foreigners' authority; obtaining a work permit

For all these services, a power of attorney from the recruited person must be available, or the recruited person must take action themselves.

Organizing the First Housing – The Employer Provides Housing

  • Typically, the employer provides housing for the first few months
  • The new employees are already informed in their home countries about the apartment size, furnishings, and costs.
  • The new employee bears the rental costs
  • From our experience, this option is received very positively by new employees

Ensuring Mobility as Well

Another important question in an international relocation is how mobility will be possible at the new place of residence.

Public transportation is the first choice for many people to be mobile.

Perhaps new employees have the possibility of a job ticket, as well as the provision of information about subscription options and schedules from public transport operators.

Ensuring Internet Access

From experience, international skilled workers use the internet to stay in touch with family and fellow immigrant colleagues, and to research and organize everyday life after their arrival.

A German SIM card for the smartphone with initial credit is provided to ensure connectivity with family and friends in the home country and with CuraConnect. After setting up a bank account, assistance is provided in visiting a mobile phone provider to ensure a permanent option.