1

Engineering Labour Force in GermanyEngineering Labour Force

What Employers Need to Know

Rates of Pay

Where to Recruit

Germany is home to Europe’s largest engineering labour force, with more than 1.94 million workers in engineering-related occupations: there are about one million engineers, 926,000 technologists and technicians and 18,000 geologists.

Germany has the second-highest number of engineering workers per capita of any country in Europe (behind Finland); engineering workers represented about 4.7 per cent of the German labour force in 2010, which is higher than that of Alberta at about 4.1 per cent in 2006.

Germany has one of the oldest engineering-related workforces in Europe. Fewer than a quarter of engineers are under the age of 35 (compared with 29 per cent in the U.K., 32 per cent in France and 49 per cent in Ireland). The German engineering labour force has been shaped by a lower percentage of young workers choosing to enter careers in engineering-related fields.1

Unemployment

During the 2007–2009 economic crisis, the German economy outperformed those of other European nations. Unemployment in Germany has been declining, dropping from a high of almost 12 per cent in 2005 to about seven per cent in the summer of 2011. Unemployment rates among engineers have followed a similar pattern, with sustained declines in unemployment for more than a decade. As of 2009, the unemployment rate for engineers in Germany was 3.6 per cent, down from 8.6 per cent in 2005. (See Figure 1.)

English Language

Engineers educated in Germany are likely to speak English, although proficiency levels will vary according to an individual’s level of post-secondary education and professional need to maintain English skills. In Germany, English is taught from the fifth grade through the end of secondary education. During university, engineering students continue to learn English and a portion of coursework includes technical lectures in English. Students are encouraged (though not required) to study in a foreign country for at least one semester, and are encouraged to use English during study and in writing their bachelor’s or master’s thesis.

By comparison, those who work as engineering technologists or technicians are somewhat less likely to be fluent in English. Alberta employers may find it difficult to locate workers in these categories whose English skills are sufficient to qualify them for certification with the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET).

Likelihood of Immigrating

Recently, Germany has seen a shortage of engineers and engineering-related workers. Engineer Monitor,2 a monthly labour market publication produced by the largest national German engineering association, Verein Deutscher Ingenieure (The Association of German Engineers, or VDI), reported in June 2011 that the number of vacant positions for engineers in Germany had reached a record high of 76,400, the highest since record keeping began in 2000.

Engineering Labour Force

1See VDI Annual Report, 2010. 2See www.vdi.de/41790.0.html.

Engineers educated in Germany are likely to speak English, although proficiency levels will vary according to an individual’s level of post-secondary education and professional need to maintain English skills.

1

Figure 1. Unemployment Rates Among Engineers in Germany, 1997–2009

Source: VDI Engineer Monitor.

Figure 2. Positive Features of a Company as Reported by Engineers in Germany

Source: 2010 Joint Survey of Engineers, VDI.

There are ample career opportunities for engineering workers in Germany and few economic reasons for them to seek work abroad, although the 2010 Joint Study of Engineers reported that low levels of job satisfaction may motivate some to change employers. The study found that German engineers place the greatest value on their work environment, followed by their level of interest in their work and the work-life balance offered by the employer. Few said they viewed salary as an important factor when selecting an employer (see Figure 2).3

Foreign workers are more likely to migrate internationally, having done so before, and those workers represented 5 per cent of the German engineering labour force in 2010. Non-EU citizens represented about 3 per cent of the engineering workforce. Statistics from the Federal Employment Agency reveal that in engineering-related occupations, foreign workers represent a higher portion of the employed labour force for chemical engineers (7.9 per cent), electrical engineers (5.4 per cent) and mining and metallurgical engineers (5.2 per cent).4

3See 2010 Joint Study of Engineers (U.K., France, Germany). 4Note: Figures from the Federal Employment Agency exclude contract workers, self-employed individuals and unemployed workers.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Total-Engineers

Mechanical Engineers

Electrical andElectronics Engineers

Civil Engineers andArchitects

Other Engineers

27%

30%

43%

48%

51%

54%

65%

68%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Remuneration

Locality

Job Security

Gain Knowledge

Greater Responsibility

Work-Life Balance

Interesting Work

Work Environment

Share of Engineers

2

Alberta employers who want to recruit engineering workers in Germany are advised to use the terms and titles for specific occupations. (See Table 2.)

Engineers and Geoscientists

According to Alberta law, to practice engineering, geology or geophysics independently in Alberta, a worker must be licensed by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA). Unlicensed workers may practice engineering, but only under the supervision of a licensed engineer. Similar rules apply to internationally educated engineers. They may be permitted to work in Alberta without a license, provided that they work under the supervision of a licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng). In order to practice engineering, geology or geophysics independently, internationally educated workers must have their credentials evaluated by APEGA to determine whether or not they meet the requirements for licensure.

Regardless of academic background, all foreign applicants must:

1. Take the professional practice exam and show relevant knowledge of Albertan law and ethics

2. Obtain one year of Canadian experience, though they can apply and gain conditional approval before doing so

3. Be competent in English4. Provide character references5. Possess Canadian citizenship or Permanent

Resident status; an applicant not possessing either may apply as a Foreign Licensee

To learn more about APEGA’s licensing requirements, see www.apega.ca.

Technicians and Technologists

Technicians and technologists do not need licenses to practice in Alberta, but may voluntarily apply for certification from ASET. ASET uses a competency-based evaluation to assess the qualifications of internationally educated individuals. Successful applicants must have an appropriate combination of post-secondary education in their field and practical experience.

Many European bachelor’s degrees are awarded after three years. Workers holding them would likely qualify for technologist or technician certification with ASET, while those with lower qualifications may qualify at the technician level. Candidates seeking ASET certification generally require:

1. At least two years of professional experience, including one year of Canadian experience

2. Successful completion of the professional practices exam

3. Three verifiable references 4. The ability to work in English 5. Canadian Citizenship or Permanent

Resident status

To learn more about ASET’s certification requirements, see www.aset.ab.ca.

What Employers Need to Know

In order to practice engineering, geology or geophysics independently, internationally educated workers must have their credentials evaluated by APEGA to determine whether or not they meet the requirements for licensure.

3

Table 1. German Engineering Titles and Related Professional Organizations

Canadian Engineering Occupations Similar Occupations/Titles in Germany Professional Organizations

Engineering Managers Technischer Geschäftsführer (Technical Director)

The Association of German Engineers (VDI)

Civil Engineers Bauingenieure (Civil Engineer)

Mechanical Engineers Maschinenbau-Ingenieure (Mechanical Engineer)

Electrical and Electronics Engineers Elektroingenieure (Electrical Engineer)

Chemical Engineers Chemieingenieure (Chemical Engineer)

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers

Produktionsingenieure (Production Engineer)

Metallurgical and Materials Engineers Ingenieure der Werkstofftechnik (Materials Engineer)

Mining Engineers Bergbau-Ingenieure (Mining Engineer)

Petroleum Engineers Verfahrensingenieure (Process Engineer)

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Bauingenieur, Bautechniker, Technischer Systemplaner, or Industriemechaniker

Deutscher Industrie- und Handelskammertag (DIHK) or the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce assist in organizing and setting curriculum for vocational training programs at Facharbeiter and Meister level.

The Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB) or The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training focuses on establishing curriculum for Facharbeiter programs at the Berufsschulen.

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Mechatroniker

Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Elektriker fürt Betriebstechnik

Industrial Instruments Technicians and Mechanics

Anlagenmechaniker, Industriemechaniker

Geosciences Occupations

Geologist, Geochemists and Geophysicists

Diplom Geologe (Dipl. Geologe) Diplom Geophyiker or M.Sc Geophysiker Diplom Mineraloge or M.Sc. Mineraloge German Professional Association of Geoscientists

(BDG), member of the European Federation of Geologists (EFG) Geological and Mineral Technologists

and TechniciansGeotechniker, Geoingenieur, or Geological Technician

Architecture-Related Occupations

Architectural Technologists and Technicians

Bauzeichner, or possibly MSc or Dipl. Ing. in architecture, but not yet a registered Architect.

Federal Chamber of German Architects (BAK)Drafting Technologists and Technicians

Technischer Produktdesigner, Konstrukteur, technischer Systemplaner, Technisher Zeichner

Electronic Service Technicians

Electronic Service Technicians

Kundendiensttechniker (bereich elektronik)(Customer Service engineer (electronics), Servicetechniker (bereich elektronik) (service technician in electronics), Elektromonteur (electrician), Systeminformatiker or Elektroniker für geräte und systeme (Electronic technician for devices and systems)

The Association for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies (VDE)

Source: RDA Global, contributions from listed professional organizations.

4

Fact Sheets

Fact sheets on hiring internationally trained workers in engineering-related occupations can be found at www.albertacanada.com/immigration/publications.aspx. Follow the links below for more information on hiring for specific occupations:

� Hiring Architectural or Drafting Technologists or Technicians from Germany � Hiring Electronic Service Technicians from Germany � Hiring Engineers from Germany � Hiring Engineering Technologists or Technicians from Germany � Hiring Geoscientists from Germany � Hiring Geological or Mineral Technologists or Technicians from Germany

5

Table 2. German Engineering Labour Force by Canadian Occupation and Average Age, 2010

Canadian Occupations Related Occupations (ISCO-88) Labour Force

Labour Force Per 1,000 Workers

Average Age

Geologist, Geochemists and Geophysicists 2114 Geologists and geophysicists 18,000 0.4 42

Civil Engineers 2142 Civil engineers 157,895 3.8 45

Mechanical Engineers 2145 Mechanical engineers 220,971 5.3 50

Electrical and Electronics Engineers2143 Electrical engineers 136,800 3.3 45

2144 Electronics and telecommunications engineers

47,320 1.1 49

Chemical Engineers 2146 Chemical engineers 37,125 0.9 49

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers 2141 Industrial and production engineers 202,500 4.9 51

Metallurgical and Materials Engineers2147 Mining engineers, metallurgists and related professionals

5,262 0.1 52Mining Engineers

Petroleum Engineers

Other Engineers and Related Professionals2149 Architects, engineers and related professionals not classified elsewhere

192,150 4.6 49

Geological and Mineral Technologists and Technicians Chemical Technologists and Technicians

3111 Chemical and physical science technicians 54,000 1.3 48

3117 Mining and metallurgical technicians 15,777 0.4 55

3116 Chemical engineering technicians 36,000 0.9 50

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

3112 Civil engineering technicians 76,050 1.8 46

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

3115 Mechanical engineering technicians 117,153 2.8 53

Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians

3113 Electrical engineering technicians 67,291 1.6 44

3114 Electronics and telecommunications engineering technicians

110,824 2.7 45

Electronic Service Technicians7243 Electronics mechanics and servicers 102,971 2.5 39Industrial Instruments Technicians and

Mechanics

Architectural Technologists and Technicians3118 Draughtspersons 137,197 3.3 48

Drafting Technologists and Technicians

Other Related Technician and Technologist Occupations

3119 Physical and engineering science technicians not classified elsewhere

209,531 5.0 45

All Geoscientists 18,000 0.4 42

All Engineers 1,000,023 24 48

All Engineer Technician and Technologists 926,794 22.2 46

All Engineering Occupations 1,944,817 46.7 47

Sources: European Social Survey; German Socio-Economic Panel; Federal Employment Agency (BA); RDA Global Analysis.

6

According to VDI’s Engineer Income Survey, the average annual gross income for engineering workers in Germany was €54,400 ($72,084 CAD) in 2010. The 2010 Joint Survey of Engineers (also performed by VDI, in cooperation with partner organizations in France and the U.K.) reported the average salary of graduate German engineers with at least a bachelor’s degree at €66,000 ($87,455 CAD).

The average gross income (including salary, bonus, commissions and any other compensation) for non-manager engineers was €45,500 ($60,291 CAD) in 2010. Engineers who were department heads or area managers (highest-level positions) had average earnings nearly double those of non-manager engineers at €87,400 ($115,812 CAD) in 2010.

Rates of Pay

Regionally, engineers working in the states of former East Germany have a lower average annual income than those in the West. Engineering salaries are highest in Cologne, Munich and Dusseldorf, where they are approximately nine per cent higher than the national average.

Average income for engineers in Eastern states (including Saxony, Brandenburg, Saxony–Anhalt and Thuringia) is lower, ranging from 70 to 90 per cent of the German national average;5 there are also fewer engineers in these states. Engineering-related workers in Saxony, Brandenburg, Saxony–Anhalt and Thuringia together represent 10.7 per cent of the total German labour force (about 166,000 engineering workers).

5Source: Engineer Income 2002-2010, VDI.

The average gross income (including salary, bonus, commissions and any other compensation) for non-manager engineers was €45,500 ($60,291 CAD) in 2010.

7

Table 3. Annual Gross Income (in Euros) of Engineers by Industry and Position, 2010

Selected Industries Starting Wages Experienced Non-Manager Engineer

Lower Quartile Median Upper Quartile Lower Quartile Median Upper Quartile

Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals €40,413 €46,100 €51,904 €44,583 €52,690 €69,346

Automotive €39,922 €43,080 €48,048 €42,681 €48,725 €55,361

Energy €39,160 €42,000 €45,708 €43,563 €50,120 €60,512

Electronics €38,400 €42,000 €46,980 €41,972 €48,200 €57,536

Machinery/Manufacturing €37,770 €41,600 €45,500 €40,300 €46,628 €54,503

Information Technology €36,270 €39,898 €43,000 €34,875 €39,650 €44,765

Engineering and Planning Agencies €34,865 €38,000 €40,902 €33,000 €39,000 €48,000

Construction €30,015 €35,754 €39,125 €39,027 €44,422 €49,800

Project Manager (manager of a team) Group/Team Leader

Lower Quartile Median Upper Quartile Lower Quartile Median Upper Quartile

Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals €57,151 €70,867 €85,545 €55,557 €69,666 €91,889

Automotive €55,163 €65,000 €74,434 €61,731 €73,200 €84,713

Energy €49,993 €63,347 €75,780 €56,100 €70,100 €86,400

Electronics €50,800 €62,760 €75,171 €57,664 €72,000 €85,586

Machinery/Manufacturing €51,440 €60,700 €72,126 €56,940 €67,789 €79,465

Information Technology €49,978 €60,020 €71,375 €51,060 €70,095 €86,000

Engineering and Planning Agencies €45,000 €50,870 €58,011 €47,446 €55,944 €70,600

Construction €47,292 €54,481 €66,816 €54,880 €60,926 €72,000

Department Head

Lower Quartile Median Upper Quartile

Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals €66,489 €76,233 €99,333

Automotive €72,000 €84,200 €94,225

Energy €62,600 €68,620 €83,300

Electronics €61,923 €77,958 €89,101

Machinery/Manufacturing €62,375 €76,000 €89,026

Information Technology €67,227 €86,000 €96,450

Engineering and Planning Agencies €52,000 €60,300 €75,865

Construction €56,255 €63,350 €76,076

Source: Engineer Income 2002–2010, VDI (figures presented reflect averages for 2010).

8

According to figures from the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) (BA), the densely populated state of Nordrhein-Westfalen is the largest labour market for engineering workers, followed by Bayern and then by Baden-Württemberg in the south west. Each of these

Where to Recruit

states has around 300,000 employees working in engineering-related occupations and an above-average incidence of foreign workers employed in engineering-related occupations.6

6The percentage is highest in Baden-Württemberg (10.4 per cent), followed by Bayern (8 per cent) and Nordrhein-Westfalen (7.6 per cent). The state with the highest percentage of foreign workers is Rheinland-Pfalz (14.3 per cent), located in the west and sharing a border with France, Belgium and Luxembourg.7Note: Figures do not include contract, self-employed or unemployed workers.

Table 4. Engineers and Engineering Technicians by German State, 20107

German State EngineersEngineering Technicians Total

Baden-Württemberg 144,682 151,919 296,601

Bayern (Bavaria) 142,822 163,856 306,678

Berlin 26,945 30,029 56,974

Brandenburg 14,716 16,368 31,084

Bremen 9,361 8,991 18,352

Hamburg 26,851 23,549 50,400

Hessen (Hesse) 59,785 74,749 134,534

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 7,590 9,918 17,508

Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony) 56,865 67,719 124,584

Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia)

137,173 187,190 324,363

Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate)

3,136 6,452 9,588

Saarland 6,165 8,826 14,991

Sachsen (Saxony) 33,487 40,067 73,554

Sachsen-Anhalt 12,628 15,423 28,051

Schleswig-Holstein 14,661 20,094 34,755

Thüringen (Thuringia) 14,377 18,470 32,847

Grand Totals 711,244 843,620 1,554,864

Source: Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit), Statistik, 2010.

9

Figure 3. German States

Dresden

Munich

Stuttgart

Bremen

Hannover

Erfurt

Magdeburg

Potsdam

Berlin

Saarbrücken

Mainz

Wiesbaden

Dusseldorf

SchwerinGamburg

KielSchleswig-Holsten

Sachsen-Anhalt

Berlin

Brandenburg

Niededsachsen

Bremen

Hamburg

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Rheinland-Pfalz

Baden-Württemberg

Bayern

HessenThüringen

Nordrhein-Westfalen

Sachsen

Saapland

10

www.AlbertaCanada.com/immigration

©2012 Government of Alberta Published: August 2012 ISBN Electronic: 978-0-7785-9925-8