Since 2016, the German government has been offering Berufssprachkurse (BSK), or vocational language courses, to support the labor market integration of immigrants with a need for German language training. By the end of 2022, 775,000 people had started a BSK course.
A research group commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs to investigate the effects of BSK found that participants significantly improved their German language skills compared to similar non-participants. However, the study found former BSK participants were less likely to be employed within 30 months of starting the course. This implies that employment rates remain lower even after completion of the course, which is usually full-time.
The study does highlight positive impacts. In particular, BSK graduates were more likely to pursue further training or education compared to the control group. Whether this translates into improved employment outcomes in the long run remains to be investigated.
The report proposes several improvements to BSK, including:
- Earlier career guidance: Job centers and employment agencies should offer career advice to BSK participants before they finish the course.
- More part-time options: Expanding part-time BSK courses, including online or hybrid formats, would allow more working individuals to improve their German.
- Better childcare support: The government should explore ways to help BSK participants with childcare needs.
- Improved teacher conditions: Better pay, more teaching autonomy, and flexible work models could attract and retain qualified BSK instructors.