Fair, Skilled, and Prepared: The Hand in Hand for International Talent project
Launched in early 2020, Hand in Hand for International Talents (HiH) is a recruitment project that began just as the world was entering the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
With the goal of facilitating skilled migration to Germany, the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy has piloted several initiatives—HiH being one such project and is being implemented by IGCC in India. It focuses on ensuring fair and ethical migration processes for skilled professionals. The project specifically targets individuals with a technical background and those trained in the hospitality sector.
Now running for over five years, the project offers comprehensive support to Indian candidates. Its key components include placement with German companies, German language training, and visa support. HiH has become a valuable stepping stone for bright, motivated, and talented individuals who want to work in Germany.
What is special about the HiH project?
At the heart of the HiH project is the principle of fair, ethical, and sustainable migration. This means ensuring that international recruitment serves both employer and employee interests, without exploitation or imbalance. If you apply to HiH , you are not charged recruitment fees, receive full transparency about your employment conditions. We placed only with companies that commit to fair wages, proper contracts, and legal compliance. The goal is not just to place candidates abroad, but to enable long-term integration, skill development, and mutual benefit for both Indian talent and German businesses.
How Does the Process Work?
If you are interested, you can apply to the project through the official website. Once you submit your application, the team begins the shortlisting process, followed by an assessment if selected. The final stage of the application involves an interview with the project partners, who evaluate the candidate.
Success Story
Meet Rajashekhar, one of the candidates who made his way to Germany in September 2024. Holding a diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, he was previously working as a support engineer in India. With the aim of supporting his family and gaining international experience, he was eager to apply for the HiH project.
What is it like to work in Germany?
He shares in an interview with the HiH Team in April 2025, “Germany offers a structured, organized, and disciplined work culture.”. One of the most striking aspects he highlights is the clear boundary between professional and personal life in Germany. “I’ve been working here for over eight months now, and no one at my workplace has my private phone number,” he remarks. For him, this kind of boundary is central to maintaining balance. This is the structure, which gives one the ability to focus on work – without the stress and pressure to be available 24/7.
Following Rajasekar’s experience, the contrast between work cultures in India and Germany becomes strikingly clear. As he explains, ‘once the Feierabend begins the remaining hours truly belong to the individual. “
For Rajasekar, living and working in Germany has been deeply fulfilling, largely due to the strong sense of professionalism and the well-defined boundaries between work and personal life. He particularly appreciates the strict labour laws that protect employees’ rights, and, above all, the generous leave policy. Unlike in India, where paid leave is often limited, employees in Germany enjoy between 24 and 30 days of annual paid vacation. And they actual take these to the last day. This is just one of the many reasons Rajasekar finds working in Germany not only manageable—but genuinely rewarding.
Final advice
Looking back, he highlights the importance of learning the German language in India. ‘Never giving up’ was always his motto, as the process took him much longer than previously expected. Having patience is also a good advice for any other Indian candidate wanting to make it to Germany.
