Topic:

 Skilled migration is seen in many countries as a key to counteracting labour market shortages and demographic challenges. The migration of highly skilled persons has already constituted the main emphasis of a number of publications (Peixoto 2001, Iredale  1999, Boyd 2013, Cerna 2014). These studies show that the labour market access of migrants depends to a high degree on the successful completion of respective recognition procedures, both in the European Union and in many countries beyond Europe. In international terms, there is already a series of countries in which the recognition of professional and vocational  qualifications acquired abroad is regulated - Australia and Germany are two of them.

Objective:

The paper describes and analysis the approach towards the recognition of foreign qualifications in their specific application context in Germany and Australia. Special focus is given to the underlying principles (the drivers for "skilled migrations") and governance modes in both countries.

Research questions:

Against this background some fundamental questions are linked with the implementation of recognition practices: How do countries with a long history of immigration (like Australia) approach the recognition of vocational qualifications? Which drivers influenced the promulgation of the German "Federal Recognition Act"? What are the perceived challenges to be faced in both countries? What is the main function and the purpose of recognition? And last but not least: To what extent recognition is treated first and foremost as a migration policy issue, a means for protecting domestic labour markets or as a challenge for vocational education and training?

Conceptual framework:

Often discussed as a migration policy issue, recognition of qualifications acquired abroad has not until now been the subject of comparative VET research nor geared towards the target group of vocationally trained persons (skilled workers, journeymen, employees) at an intermediate qualification level (EQF level 3-5). The project MoVA “Models and procedures for the recognition of  vocational qualifications and competences acquired abroad” tried to fill that gap by analysing recognition models and strategies in selected EU and non-EU countries from a VET perspective (Canada, Australia, UK).

Approaching the recognition of foreign qualifications from a VET perspective means to be aware of the fact that “qualification”, “occupation” and “VET” are social constructs carrying the very highest degree of cultural and societal connotations (Eberhardt/Annen 2015). The recognition models map these specific interpretations. They vary depending on - whether the focus is on a regulated or non-regulated occupations - whether the goal is permanent or temporary migration, - which type of qualifications is involved and - from which country the applicant is from. The paper ends with some reflexions on the "portability" of qualifications: if "qualification" is understood as "cultural capital" (Bourdieu) what it its value in another cultural context?

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