To counter the lack of skilled workers in the region, TH Köln and KölnBusiness Wirtschaftsförderung have started the Talent Hub Cologne. 2.7€ mil will flow into the project until at least 2028, mostly financed by the EU and NRW.
KölnBusiness Wirtschaftsförderung and Technical University Cologne (TH Köln) are cooperating on the new Talent Hub Cologne. The Hub is supposed to be a “central point of contact that provides targeted support to companies in Cologne and the surrounding region in attracting and retaining employees, especially those from abroad.”
The reason for the cooperation is the shortage of skilled workers in the area: more than 6,100 jobs are currently open in and around cologne, the cooperating partners have evaluated.
The project is initially limited until the end of 2028 and has a total budget of €2.7 million. Around 90 percent of the funding comes from the European Union and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The remaining funds are being financed by both partners from their own resources. The Hub is part of the program „Regio.NRW – Transformation“ in the Federal state.
“The shortage of skilled workers is one of the biggest challenges facing Cologne's economy,” says Andree Haack, Deputy Mayor for Urban Development, Economy, Digitalization, and Regional Affairs for the City of Cologne. “The new service from KölnBusiness and TH Köln helps Cologne-based companies attract international skilled workers, thereby securing their long-term competitiveness.”
“Cologne's economy is growing and changing, and the demand for qualified personnel is higher than ever. Many people, especially those from the baby boomer generation, will soon be leaving the labor market. Companies are already feeling the consequences today when machines stand idle or restaurants remain closed due to a lack of staff,” says Dr. Manfred Janssen, Managing Director of KölnBusiness Wirtschaftsförderung. “With Talent Hub Cologne, we are now providing Cologne-based companies with very direct support in finding and retaining suitable employees, especially from abroad. Our great advantage is that Cologne and the surrounding area offer ideal conditions for this, which we intend to use in a very targeted manner.”
