Amid a serious labor shortage, many German companies are planning to expand recruitment efforts by targeting students from Vietnamese colleges.Vocational students in Germany – Photo: iMOVE-GERMANY

A growing demand for skilled workers in Germany

Mr. Matthias Kaiser, CEO of Avestos HR UG (Germany), stated that the labor shortage in Germany has become extremely critical.

According to a survey conducted by the Ifo Institute for Economic Research in August 2024, up to 33.8% of German companies reported difficulty in recruiting skilled workers. In an earlier survey from April 2024, the figure was even higher, at 34.9%.

Data from the German Federal Employment Agency shows that some industries wait an average of 281 days to find suitable workers—particularly in sectors like construction. In 2024 alone, 69,400 vocational training positions in Germany went unfilled.

To address this issue, many German companies have turned their attention to developing countries, especially Vietnam, Mr. Kaiser explained.

For example, his group is signing agreements with Vietnamese colleges to recruit students, provide vocational training, and send them to work in Germany. Students are offered employment contracts with German companies as soon as they begin their college studies in Vietnam, allowing them to start working in Germany immediately after graduation.

Additionally, there are currently many training programs supported by both the German and Vietnamese governments. Students are trained in fields such as metal cutting, mechatronics, industrial electricity, and construction mechanics, following Germany’s dual vocational training standards, before starting jobs in Germany.

According to statistics, about 4,000 Vietnamese individuals went to Germany in 2023 for vocational training, accounting for 80% of all Vietnamese international students in Germany.

Mr. Matthias Kaiser shares about the labor demand of many German companies – Photo: Le Thu

Breaking the language barrier

Mr. Tran Anh Tuan, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Vocational Education Association, pointed out that although the demand from Germany is high and Vietnam is well-prepared, one major obstacle continues to discourage many learners: the German language.

Unlike English, which is widely taught and familiar in the Vietnamese education system, German is entirely new for most high school students. “Many students say what they fear most is… German,” Mr. Tuấn said.

Moreover, the learning period is very short. Most students intending to study vocational training in Germany only begin learning German after graduating from high school, while most programs require them to reach B1 or B2 level within 9 to 12 months.

“Even with a Telc or Goethe certificate, many still fail interviews with German employers due to a lack of practical communication skills,” Mr. Tuấn noted.

Trategic preparation is key

Many students have also failed to obtain visas or had to retake language courses in Germany for 6 to 12 months because they didn’t meet the language requirements.

Mr. Tran Thanh Hai, Rector of Vien Dong College, emphasized that students should start early and follow a systematic strategy.

First and foremost, if students intend to pursue vocational education in Germany, they should begin learning German in high school, ideally from Grade 10 or 11. Early preparation helps build a solid foundation, giving them time to become familiar with pronunciation, grammar, and German logic, and avoids the need to “cram” after graduation.

Mr. Nguyen Dac Hoan, Director of Devis Joint Stock Company, added that during the learning process, students should focus on developing all four skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—rather than only practicing grammar for exams, as is common in traditional learning approaches.

He emphasized that building strong communication reflexes is essential, as vocational training and working environments in Germany require students to use German daily, whether with teachers or peers.

Learners can make use of language learning apps, join interactive online courses, or participate in German-speaking clubs, if available.

Finally, networking and learning from alumni also plays a crucial role. Workshops and experience-sharing sessions from former vocational students in Germany can offer real-life insights, help ease fears, and motivate students to pursue language learning more seriously.

Source:Đức ‘khát’ lao động, sinh viên Việt sẵn sàng nhưng… sợ tiếng Đức – Tuổi Trẻ Online