Germany recruits non-EU IT specialists

Germany is planning to recruit IT specialists from non-European countries to meet its skills shortage in high technology.

Germany will follow the UK's lead and recruit IT specialists from non-European countries to meet a skills shortage in this area.

It is reported that the German government (March 10) plans to recruit up to 30,000 IT specialists, relaxing the country's strict immigration rules to allow 10,000 high-tech and computer specialists into the country this year.

Some UK IT recruitment organisations are reported as calling on the Government to introduce a similar scheme. However, the UK Government already has plans to bring IT specialists from East Europe and India into the country.

Last year, Paymaster General and Minister responsible for IR35, Dawn Primarolo, said: "This government recognises that there is a more general skills shortage in engineering and in particular the IT sector. This is inflating wage costs and harming the competitiveness of British industry. The government has put in place training initiatives and is investing in higher education but it will take some time to reap the benefits of this investment. To address current demands the Home Secretary is looking at a fast track visa scheme for qualified applicants from Eastern Europe, Africa and India. We recognise that recruiting in these areas is difficult, the Foreign Office is looking at ways for British embassies and consulates to assist in this process. This will be in partnership and funded by industry and we are talking with leading UK recruitment specialists to help in this process."

However, the Government's IR35 proposal, which will tax contractors as if they are employees, is driving many UK consultants overseas with surveys showing that between 17 and 30 per cent of contractors have left the country or are considering doing so.