economy

EKONID And Goethe-Institut Strengthen Partnership To Prepare Workers

The Indonesian-German Economic Association (AHK Indonesia/EKONID) and the Goethe-Institut Indonesia have strengthened their partnership by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Jakarta on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. This partnership aims to equip Indonesian skilled workers with comprehensive information to tackle the challenges of living and working in Germany.

The MoU was signed by EKONID Executive Director Jan Rönnfeld and Ulrike Drissner, Deputy Director of the Goethe-Institut for Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, at the EKONID office in Menteng, Jakarta. The signing event was attended by representatives from the German Federal Embassy, GIZ, and DAAD.

Germany is facing a shortage of skilled workers and has launched various initiatives since 2018 to attract quality talent from abroad. These initiatives include the Skilled Immigration Act (FEG) of 2020, which allows skilled workers from non-EU countries to work in Germany. Indonesia, with its large pool of skilled labor, has significant potential. However, prospective workers often face challenges such as recognition of qualifications, language barriers, and cultural integration.

Through this partnership, EKONID and the Goethe-Institut Indonesia will further develop and expand their existing counseling services for Indonesian skilled workers. Both parties will also collaborate to organize events and activities to better serve this demographic.

Jan Rönnfeld stated, “Since 1915, EKONID has been a strategic link between the economies of Germany and Indonesia, where human resources play a crucial role. Through the ProRecognition project launched last year, we aim to connect skilled talent from Indonesia with opportunities in Germany.”

We are collaborating with the Goethe-Institut Indonesia to assist Indonesian professionals in navigating the necessary steps to work in Germany. This initiative addresses the shortage of skilled labor in Germany by providing opportunities for Indonesian workers and equipping them with skills for the German business environment.

Ulrike Drissner stated that the Goethe-Institut in Indonesia has supported many Indonesians in preparing for work and study in Germany through German language courses, language exams, and programs for German language teachers in schools and universities in Indonesia. With the signing of the MoU with EKONID, we believe we will create more opportunities to facilitate the transition to the German labor market.

EKONID, as a strategic interface between the economies of Germany and Indonesia, will provide guidance on recognizing foreign professional qualifications, accessing the labor market, and the procedures for entering and settling in Germany.

Meanwhile, as part of the pre-integration project in Southeast Asia, the Goethe-Institut Indonesia, as the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany, will support interested skilled workers and prepare them in language skills, intercultural knowledge, and regional understanding.

Tag: EKONID German Economic Association