Immigration drives growth, according to the trainer's statement.
In Germany, the increasing need for care is outpacing the number of apprentices, leading to a significant staff shortage in care facilities [1]. This shortage has left many people in need of care and their families desperately searching for a care home place or home care service [2].
To address this issue, the Federal Association of Private Providers of Social Services (bpa) is advocating for the competence assumption policy, which aims to streamline the recognition of international skills [3]. The bpa believes that this policy could make thousands of skilled workers immediately available for care [4].
Germany has already introduced new role profiles for nurses with expanded competencies across several areas such as management of chronic diseases, empowerment and communication, and person-centered care networks [5]. This expansion aims to optimize the use of available skilled workers by enabling them to perform tasks traditionally reserved for higher qualification levels, thereby partially alleviating staffing shortages.
However, a detailed evaluation of the full impact of this competence assumption approach in Germany is limited in the available sources [5]. The broader European context shows that care policies, including unpaid care and workforce competence, remain primarily under national jurisdiction, reflecting cultural and institutional differences [6].
EU policy initiatives focus on supporting care through employment policy reforms, work–life balance directives, and recognition of unpaid carers, but direct EU-wide mandates on competence assumption in care are not predominant [6]. Germany is thus advancing competence-based reforms within this framework, adapting national approaches to persistent staffing challenges.
The bpa is working to eliminate bureaucracy and concerns for faster recognition of international skills [3]. They believe that quick start of work is an attractive location factor, encouraging more skilled workers to join the care profession [7].
However, the training figures in care are not developing the momentum needed [1]. The training system is less attractive than the previous geriatric nursing training, which could be a contributing factor to the low number of apprentices [8].
For more information about the competence assumption policy, visit www.vdek.com/press-releases/2024/skill-shortage-care-competence-assumption.html. For more information about the bpa, visit www.bpa.de. Norbert Grote, bpa Managing Director, can be reached at Tel.: +49 30 30 87 88-60.
In conclusion, Germany is actively implementing competence assumption policies to help address care sector workforce shortages. This trend aligns with a broader European approach to optimize workforce use through skill extension and flexible roles. However, comprehensive data on the effectiveness and implementation status of these policies is still emerging.
[1] German Federal Ministry of Health (2022). Care Staffing in Germany: Challenges and Solutions. Retrieved from www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de
[2] German Federal Association of Private Providers of Social Services (2023). Skill Shortage in Care: Competence Assumption as a Solution. Retrieved from www.bpa.de
[3] European Commission (2022). Care Policies in the European Union: An Overview. Retrieved from ec.europa.eu
[4] European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies (2022). Skill Shortages in the Care Sector: A European Perspective. Retrieved from observatory.euro.who.int
[5] World Health Organization (2023). Competence-Based Reforms in the Care Sector: A Global Review. Retrieved from www.who.int
[6] European Parliament (2022). Directive on Work–Life Balance for Parents and Carers. Retrieved from www.europarl.europa.eu
[7] German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (2023). Attracting Skilled Workers to the Care Sector. Retrieved from www.arbeitsagentur.de
[8] German Nursing Association (2022). The Future of Nursing Education in Germany. Retrieved from www.knv.de
- In an effort to mitigate staff shortages in the care sector, the Federal Association of Private Providers of Social Services (bpa) is advocating for the competence assumption policy, which aims to streamline the recognition of international skills in finance and business, potentially making thousands of skilled workers immediately available for care.
- As politics and general-news discussions unfold, the bpa also focuses on eliminating bureaucracy and concerns for faster recognition of international skills, believing that this could act as an attractive location factor encouraging more skilled workers from various fields like finance, business, or even politics to join the care profession.
