Germany’s Baden-Württemberg Invites Skilled Workers From Maharashtra

Germany's federal state Baden-Württemberg has unveiled ‘LÄND HERE’ campaign in Maharashtra. The campaign aims to attract skilled workers from Maharashtra, offering numerous employment opportunities in Germany’s dynamic southwest state, which has a strong economic base. The campaign is based on the decades-long cooperation between the two states and deepens the cooperation even more while meeting the increasing need for skilled workers in Germany.

The relationship between Baden-Württemberg and Maharashtra has flourished for decades, built on mutual economic, educational and cultural cooperation. Since 1968, the capital of Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart, has maintained a sister-city partnership with Mumbai. This partnership expanded in 2014 with an agreement between the technology hub of Karlsruhe and Pune, followed by a formal state partnership in 2015.

Earlier this year, both state governments signed a joint declaration of intent to cooperate to recruit skilled workers and vocational training, highlighting a mutual commitment to fair migration practices. A service desk in Pune has been set up to facilitate recruitment efforts and the Government of Maharashtra is establishing a representative office in Stuttgart.

Minister of State and Head of the State Chancellery of Baden-Württemberg Florian Stegmann remarked: “These partnerships are the foundation of a prosperous bilateral relationship that has strengthened both states economically, socially, and culturally. Through the LÄND HERE campaign, we aim to further deepen these ties by inviting skilled professionals from Maharashtra to join the workforce in Baden-Württemberg.”

Baden-Württemberg, also known as THE LÄND, is home to world-renowned companies such as Mercedes-Benz, Bosch, SAP, and Porsche that have also associated with the campaign, offering vast opportunities across industries. With a population of 11 million, the region is known for its unique blend of tradition and innovation, making it a leading hub for IT, engineering, manufacturing, healthcare, and more.

Nearly 20,000 Indian professionals are already working in Baden-Württemberg, primarily in the IT, metal, and electrical industries. This is a young and dynamic Indian community that is well connected with local resources and facilities such as "Welcome centres", that assist professionals and their families in the process of acclimatisation into German society. The campaign will seek to expand on this foundation with a view of making THE LÄND an even more appealing place to work for talents from Maharashtra.

While India experiences rapid economic growth, the current placement opportunities in Maharashtra cannot accommodate its growing number of skilled professionals. The LÄND HERE campaign provides an excellent opportunity for these individuals to build rewarding careers and benefit companies in Baden-Württemberg experiencing a shortage of skilled labour in sectors like IT, STEM fields, energy, and healthcare.

THE LÄND provides a favourable working environment for expatriates. It is one of Europe's leading economies, boasting career advancement, excellent wages, and a high quality of life. It has good social security, state-mandated basic wages, an ideal work-life ratio, and paid leaves and maternity/paternity leave. Baden-Württemberg also has high-quality public universities and research institutions with low charges or no tuition fees at all. It also has attractive cultural and natural settings such as the Black Forest, Heidelberg, and Stuttgart.

"We are committed to upholding fair migration standards, ensuring that this is a win-win for both regions," said Florian Stegmann. “The State Government of Maharashtra also sees this partnership as a solution to its oversupply of skilled workers. This initiative fosters balanced growth, without leading to a ‘brain drain’ in India."