Programme Origin
The “Partnerships for Development-oriented Labour Migration” (PAM) project is a global programme running from July 2024 to June 2027. It was established to address two parallel demographic and economic trends: high youth unemployment in German development cooperation partner countries, often due to a mismatch between training infrastructure and local labour market demand, and a significant decline in the number of potential workers in Germany due to an ageing population.
By fostering cooperation between governments, civil society and private enterprise, PAM seeks to jointly develop and pilot models for migration and mobility that benefit the countries of origin, the destination country (Germany) and the migrants themselves. This initiative operates within the context of Germany’s 2024 law to further support and simplify the immigration of skilled workers from third countries.
The programme promotes development-oriented migration through legal and safe pathways. It contributes to the Agenda 2030 and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration by enhancing employment opportunities, especially for young people in partner countries.
Funders and Participating Organisations
The PAM project is commissioned and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The project is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (German Agency for International Cooperation) and is active in Germany as well as in three partner countries: Ecuador, Jordan, and Vietnam. It operates through close cooperation with state institutions, the private sector, and civil society in both Germany and the partner countries, including national migration, education, and labour ministries.
Progress to Date
The project is in its early stages, but its core approach is built on four pillars:
- Improving vocational training: The project works to align vocational training qualifications in partner countries more closely with the demands of their private sectors, while also facilitating the recognition of these qualifications in Germany. To achieve this, PAM supports the adaptation of training curricula and the enhancement of technical training infrastructure in the partner countries.
- Piloting needs-based mobility schemes: The programme will prepare approximately 400 apprentices and skilled workers (with at least 25% women) for participation in pilot mobility models. These pilots will focus on sectors such as electronics, metalworking, industrial mechanics, and automotive mechatronics, among others, particularly in professions that contribute to the green transformation. Preparatory phases include vocational orientation, German language training, intercultural training, and support for recognition procedures before mobility.
- Establishing skills partnerships: The project will develop bilateral training partnerships to qualify apprentices for employment in occupations that are in high demand in both their home country and in Germany.
- Building international networks: PAM aims to connect institutions in the partner countries with relevant partners in Germany, fostering transnational exchange and sharing experiences from the pilot models.
Major Takeaways and Lessons Learned
The project is in its early stages.
What’s Next
The primary focus will be on the joint development and piloting of the migration and mobility models between Germany and the three partner countries. This includes preparing the 400 participants for these schemes through language courses and support for qualification recognition, investing in the vocational training systems of the partner countries and building sustainable international networks between all stakeholders. In parallel, the project seeks to improve the overall framework conditions for legal labour migration, including the engagement of diaspora communities and private sector partners.
Resources and Further Reading
Project Contact
Onur Azcan, Project Leader, email: [email protected]
Stefanie Falk, Consultant, email: [email protected]