Tackling the shortage of skilled workers with Spanish educators

19.02.2024 - Joint project of Hannover Region, Caritas Association and local authorities.

Like almost all local authorities in Germany, the Hannover Region is facing the challenge of meeting the increasing demand for specialist staff in the field of childcare. In view of the ongoing expansion of daycare places and the increase in the coverage rate, a survey by the Hannover Region shows a need for around 600 positions - by 2030 there will even be a shortage of around 6,100 educational specialists.

It is clear that good childcare at nursery age has a decisive influence on the development of adolescents. But where can the skilled workers come from if the demand is great but the supply is small? The German government's strategy for skilled workers sees the recruitment of skilled workers from abroad as a way of counteracting this shortage. The Hannover Region has now launched a project in collaboration with the Caritasverband Hannover e.V. and in cooperation with the municipalities of Garbsen, Langenhagen and Seelze: The "Recognition support for Spanish educators" project. The aim is to obtain recognition within 12 months for the degree in childcare acquired in Spain for employment in childcare facilities here in Germany.

The project relies on cooperation with partners such as the Humboldt language schools in Barcelona and the Central International and Specialist Placement Service of the Employment Agency. The Hannover Region sees the new initiative as an opportunity to tackle the shortage of skilled workers in a targeted manner.

"Companies in the Hannover Region are noticing the shortage of skilled workers everywhere. It is therefore very good when projects like this are used to combine integration and the shortage of skilled workers. Everyone benefits from this in the end."

Dr. Andrea Hanke, Head of Social Affairs

"As a provider of 20 daycare centers, we know first-hand how difficult it is to find skilled workers. Thanks to the Adelante project, we can look back on years of experience in supporting young Spanish professionals in other sectors. We also have the broad support of the region and local authorities. Both of these factors make us confident that the new project will make a valuable contribution to solving the problem."

Dr. Andreas Schubert, Caritas board member

This is how the project works: the young Spanish professionals will be selected between November 2023 and February 2024 and enrolled on a German course. An intensive course with a total of 600 teaching units will start in March 2024. In addition to language preparation, the participants will also receive intercultural training and be prepared for working life in Germany. The aim is to get off to a successful start with 22 participants and then get as many parents as possible into work. Both the recognition course for educators and the language training will take place on the premises of the Neustadt BBS branch in Langenhagen. Ulf-Birger Franz, Head of the Department of Economics and Education: "I am particularly pleased that we are able to hold the training courses at one of our BBSs. Several cogs interlock here, because we can combine the topics of school, business and social issues. It shows: We can actively tackle the skills shortage with creative solutions."

The Hannover Region is financially supporting the project with 52,348.67 euros, while the municipalities of Garbsen, Langenhagen and Seelze are also providing co-financing of 52,348.66 euros. The total costs of the project amount to EUR 104,697.33, spread over the years 2024 and 2025. If the pilot project is successful, the Hannover Region reserves the right to extend the project to other municipalities and to transfer it to regular funding from the employment agency.

We are currently looking for host families for the educators in the municipalities of Garbsen and Langenhagen. Interested parties canregisteratAdressenkitaverwaltung@garbsen.deoderfruehe.hilfen@langenhagen .dem.