Welcome Center Schleswig-Holstein with poor figures

The Schleswig-Holstein Welcome Center was intended to be a milestone in the fight against the shortage of skilled workers. Opening in December 2023, it was intended to recruit foreign skilled workers , advise companies, and facilitate the influx of qualified workers into the state. Almost a year later, however, the results are sobering: Only five successful placements of skilled workers have been recorded – with total planned costs of almost 13 million euros in the first five years. This is understandably causing criticism.

While the relevant authorities – especially immigration authorities and naturalization offices – have been struggling with massive staffing shortages, long processing times , and outdated processes nationwide for years, millions are being invested in privately organized projects such as the Welcome Centers or the German Skilled Workers Agency. These take on tasks such as applicant training, intercultural training, or even (legally problematic) advice on immigration issues.

Criticism from politics and practice

Criticism of this imbalance is growing louder. SPD politician Kianusch Stender calls the Welcome Center a "castle in the air." From the very beginning, the facility was understaffed, and while it has since been expanded, it still lacks sufficient reach and effectiveness. The FDP also criticizes inefficient organization: "The implementation has been a complete failure because, in reality, one agency is advising another," says a member of the Liberal Party.

Added to this is the questionable data situation . Official placement figures are no longer collected, as "data sharing is voluntary," and the focus is instead on "measurable indicators" such as contacts or the number of companies supported. It therefore remains unclear to outsiders what actual contribution the Welcome Center makes to recruiting skilled workers.

What is really needed in Schleswig-Holstein and nationwide

The real problem remains: The government is investing millions in prestigious but ineffective "nice-to-have" projects, while urgently needed reforms in the core area of immigration law are failing to materialize . Long processing times at immigration authorities, a lack of digitalization, and a shortage of skilled personnel have been hampering the influx of qualified professionals for years .

Conclusion Welcome Center Schleswig-Holstein

The Schleswig-Holstein Welcome Center is yet another negative example of the German migration administration's failure. Instead of funding parallel structures, the focus should be on strengthening existing sovereign structures: more efficient authorities, better digital processes, and clearly regulated, legally sound procedures. Only in this way can Germany sustainably win the competition for international talent.