“Ems-Achse" is a region in the northwest of Germany, joining the counties East Friesland (Ostfriesland), Emsland and Bad Bentheim. In the north it borders the North Sea, in the west the Netherlands.

The 3 counties have a total of approx. 1 million inhabitants and a surface of approx. 7000 km². The region is known for its cleanliness, low crime and unemployment rate (less than 3 %), low costs and high quality of life. It is a region with a lot of nature and agriculture, but also with world-renowned companies as well as family-run businesses.

The Ems-Achse e.V. is a registered association and non-profit organisation. More than 800 companies, businesses, municipalities, and other organizations as well as institutions are part of our community. Our combined aim is to strengthen economic growth and create additional job opportunities in this region. This is accomplished through the development of various projects, enhancing communication among companies, and, most importantly, promoting our region.

Germany faces a shortage of skilled workers, with numerous vacancies remaining unfilled. Addressing this challenge, one of our initiatives aims to attract international skilled workers to live and work in our region. We not only assist them in finding employment but also support their integration, finding housing options, offer German language assistance, and foster a sense of community building.

This project is funded by various companies in our region who intent employing people from abroad. There is no agency fee for programme participants (nevertheless: the programme is not entirely free of charge, costs for documents, visas and flights may have to be paid by the applicants).

With the Visa for employment within the framework of a recognition partnership (“Anerkennungspartnerschaft”) you can come to Germany when you finished your vocational degree in South Africa. Within a recognition partnership, you can complete the recognition procedure with the support of your employer after entering Germany and start working at the same time. A certain German-level is essential for the Visa, therefore we will provide German Courses in Cape Town.  

Contact us if you are interested in taking part in this programme!

In the first phase of the project (2024) we will focus on applicants with a College Certificate in a technical field. You must have completed at least 3 years of vocational training. You must be mind. 18 years old. All genders are welcome to apply for this project!

Germany faces a shortage of skilled workers, with numerous vacancies remaining unfilled. The aim of this project is to attract international skilled workers to live and work in our region. At the same time, the youth unemployment rate in South Africa is very high, which is why we want to offer new opportunities in Germany.

It is an advantage, if you already speak German. But we offer for all participants an intensive German course before leaving South Africa.

The German course will take place in Westlake, Cape Town. The course is about 20 hours per week, for around 16 to 24 weeks.

• A1-Level: 6 to 8 weeks
• A2-Level: 6 to 8 weeks ending with compulsory exam (needed for Visa)
• B1-Level (specialized Engineering-German): 6 to 8 weeks

This project is funded by companies in our region who intent employing people from abroad, applicants do not have to pay for the German Course, nevertheless: the programme is not entirely free of charge, costs for documents, visas and flights may have to be paid by the applicants.

Three different companies are included in the first phase of this project. They are all listed on the website. They are all listed on this website. Other companies will join this project at a later stage. All companies are in the Ems-Achse Region in the northwest of Germany.

Yes! Your last stage of the application process will be a face-to-face interview either in Cape Town in August 2024 or online.

Most probably no. We will always try to set at least two participants in one company. We will try to build up communities, but we will also help you to integrate in Germany.

The companies will either provide boarding homes or will help you to find an apartment close to your workplace. You will probably share the apartment with others, you will have your own room.

Yes! The crime rate is very low.

For short distances we mostly use bicycles. Bigger Cities are connected by train. In smaller towns and rural areas, we mostly use private cars or public buses.

For this project the minimal wage is 15 €/hour for skilled workers. For a fulltime job (~40 hours/week) which equals a monthly net wage of 1800 € (~37.000 ZAR). You will have at least 20 paid vacation days per year.

This is an example and may vary!

The Ems-Achse region has a size about 7000 km² and approx. 1 million inhabitants. There are some bigger cities like Emden, Papenburg, Lingen or Nordhorn but mostly the region consists mainly of are smaller towns villages. The villages usually have a supermarket, some smaller shops and almost everything you need to live.