Communications and Marketing

Symposium on securing skilled labour

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Thursday 16 July 2026

How can companies attract, integrate and retain international skilled labour in the long term? This was the question addressed at the symposium ‘Global Talent – Regional Opportunities’, hosted by the Rhein-Sieg District’s Municipal Integration Centre in collaboration with Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg at Sankt Augustin Campus.

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Professor Kerstin Rosenow-Williams delivering a lecture. Photo: H-BRS

On the university's part the event was organised by the Centre for Science and Technology Transfer (ZWT) and the International Career Service/Bridge2Success project. Representatives from business, academia, public administration and other institutions discussed strategies for securing a skilled workforce and the contribution international talent makes to the regional labour market.

Following a welcome address by University President Marion Halfmann and District Administrator Sebastian Schuster, the focus turned to the potential of international skilled workers and ways to successfully integrate them into the labour market.

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The President of the University, Professor Marion Halfmann. Photo: H-BRS

“The skilled labour that companies are looking for are already sitting in our lecture halls today,” said Professor Marion Halfmann. Many international students are highly qualified, motivated and keen to stay in Germany permanently after completing their studies. This presents a major opportunity – both for businesses and for the region.

The H-BRS addresses labour migration, securing a skilled workforce and the integration of international talent at various levels. As a university of applied sciences, it contributes its expertise both in research and knowledge transfer and as a partner in regional networks, working closely with companies, municipalities and other stakeholders.

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District Administrator Sebastian Schuster welcomes the guests to the symposium. Photo: H-BRS

District administrator Sebastian Schuster highlighted the urgency of the issue from a regional perspective: “The contracts and opportunities for growth are there, but there is a shortage of skilled workers.” It is therefore crucial not only to attract international skilled workers to the region, but also to enable them to achieve sustainability in their integration into the labour market. Last but not least, it is a matter of remaining competitive on the global stage.

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Professor Michael Sauer delivering a lecture. Photo: H-BRS

The more than 100 participants explored the topic in depth through presentations and a total of seven workshops. The department of Social Policy and Social Security contributed its academic expertise: Professor Michael Sauer spoke about the recruitment, integration and retention of international skilled workers, whilst Professor Kerstin Rosenow-Williams and Dr Alina Lisa Bergedieck focused on the integration of women into the labour market. Meanwhile, ‘Acting in a networked way’ was the theme of the workshop organised by the ZWT.

The programme was complemented by a ‘market of opportunities’, where public authorities, initiatives and organisations presented their advisory and support services for businesses.