A recent study by the Immigration Policy Lab provides strong evidence that Germany’s Jobturbo initiative is having a positive impact on the employment prospects of refugees. Launched in 2023, the program aims to speed up labor market integration through intensified job placement support and early-stage counseling—particularly for refugees from Ukraine and other major countries of origin.
The study shows that the program led to a noticeable increase in both job center interactions and successful job placements. Among Ukrainian refugees, the transition into employment nearly doubled. Most of these jobs were regular, unsubsidized positions, indicating not only faster but also more sustainable integration.
Crucially, the study found no evidence of negative effects on other job seekers in Germany, such as native-born citizens or other migrants.
BQ-Portal supports faster recognition and integration
An important factor contributing to the success of the Jobturbo initiative is the BQ-Portal, Germany’s central platform for information on foreign vocational qualifications. In response to the growing number of Ukrainian arrivals, the BQ-Portal proactively expanded its content on Ukrainian education and training profiles. This included detailed descriptions of vocational qualifications and training structures.
By making this information accessible to job centers, employers, and recognition authorities, the BQ-Portal has helped ensure that Ukrainian refugees’ skills are better understood and more easily matched to labor market needs.
Refugee Labor Market Integration at Scale: Evidence from Germany’s Fast-Track Employment Program