Recent Press Releases
The BA achieves second place in the eGovernment competition in the category of “Sustainability through digitalisation”
A jury consisting of administration, IT and scientific experts awards second place to the Federal Employment Agency in the category of “Sustainability through digitalisation”.
The labour market in August 2022
A robust development despite uncertainties
International Youth Day: it is still possible to start an apprenticeship this year
Those who apply for an apprenticeship now still have a good chance of finding one. Careers advisors provide young people with orientation during their successful search for a training company and provide support with a placement.
A new face at the top: Chairwoman Andrea Nahles assumes her duties
On 1 August 2022, Andrea Nahles took up her post as Chairwoman of the Federal Employment Agency (BA). She succeeds Detlef Scheele, who after seven years has retired from the Board of the BA for reasons of age.
The labour market in July 2022
Further increase in unemployment due to inclusion of Ukrainian refugees
Remuneration of full-time employees again on the upswing
• Median remuneration climbed in 2021 to 3,516 euros
• Gender pay gap is dwindling, but still amounts to 373 euros
• Disparity between western and eastern Germany has become less pronounced, but still stands at 619 euros
• Highest wages in Hamburg, lowest in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania
Christina Ramb takes over as chairperson of the BA's Administrative Board
The Administrative Board of the Federal Employment Agency (BA) has elected Christina Ramb as its Chairperson. She is a member of the Executive Board of the German Employers's Association (BDA).
Special regulations on short-time allowances partly extended until the end of September
The German cabinet has adopted a regulation to prolong easy access to short-time allowances.
The labour market in June 2022
High unemployment figures due to registration of Ukrainian refugees
Child benefit after finishing school
Even people over 18 may receive child benefit, so place your application early and submit documentary evidence
Support during the slump: 'one-shot' and upfront payments from Familienkasse, Job Centre and Employment Agency
On 27 May 2022, shortly after the adoption of the Heizkostenzuschussgesetz [Heating Costs Act], the Sofortzuschlags- und Einmalzahlungsgesetz [Upfront and One-Time Payment Act] was announced. These laws allow payment of relief to children, young people and adults who draw benefits from the Familienkasse [Family Benefits Institution], the Employment Agency or the Job Centre.
Get Career Advice – Complete Job Placement - #STARTapprenticeship
Peter Adrian, President of the DIHK [German Chamber of Industry & Commerce], Dr. Rainer Dulger, President of the BDA [German Employers' Association], and Detlef Scheele, Chairman of the BA [Federal Employment Agency] took the opportunity of the Career Guidance Day of Action to promote career advice and counselling for the ideal path to dual training. The campaign is part of the Summer of Vocational Training run by the partners of the Alliance for Initial Vocational and Further Training.
The labour market in May 2022
still buoyant despite Ukraine War
Assistance under one roof: Job centres responsible from June onwards for refugees from Ukraine
From June 1, persons who have fled from the Ukraine since February 2022 will be given assistance by the Job Centres. They will then transfer from the AsylbLG [Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act] to SGB II [Basic Provision for Jobseekers].
Online child benefit application now without printout and signature – thanks to ELSTER certificate
With immediate effect, after the birth of a baby, child benefit can now be applied for entirely electronically by means of an ELSTER certificate. The thus paperless procedure helps cut down on red tape, is sustainable, and reduces costs.
Federal Employment Agency signs placement agreement with Jordan
The Federal Employment Agency (BA) has concluded a further placement agreement with a non-EU state following the new Immigration Act for Skilled Workers. It creates the basis for the recruitment and placement of nursing staff from Jordan for hospitals, clinics and nursing facilities in Germany via the Federal Employment Agency.
Nursing Day: Despite a shortage of skilled personnel, the number of employees in care professions is rising
• The number of employees also rose during the pandemic
• The shortage of skilled personnel remains quite severe
• The BA is promoting retraining and is entering into cooperation agreements on fair migration
Find the right skilled occupation for you and get started – with #AusbildungKlarmachen
Young people have good opportunities on the training market this year – but they need to seize them: At #AusbildungKlarmachen, the BA offers an easy online entry into vocational orientation and training.
New chairwoman: Vanessa Ahuja assumes post in Nuremberg
Vanessa Ahuja has officially been in office since 1 May 2022.
On 2 May 2022, she assumed her post at the Nuremberg headquarters of the Federal Employment Agency (BA).
Partners of the Alliance for Initial and Further Training start the "Summer of Vocational Training"
Joint press release
The labour market in April 2022
The recovery continues, despite the war in Ukraine
The federal agency participates in the Girls’ Day & Boys’ Day
The Girls’ Day and Boys’ Day is taking place throughout Germany on Thursday, 28th April 2022.
Sanctions remain on a low level in 2021
- Number of sanctions on a low level increased slightly in the past year
- About 97 percent of beneficiaries remain unaffected by sanctions
- Scheele: Reforms welcomed but solutions for very small minority needed
Administrative Board sets personnel course for the future
In Nuremberg today, the Administrative Board of the Federal Employment Agency (BA) passed the necessary resolutions for a reorganisation of its Executive Board.
Labour Market in March 2022
War in Ukraine currently not having much impact
Special arrangements for the short-time allowance extended until 30th June 2022
The legislator has decided to extend the special arrangements regarding short-time work until 30th June 2022. The amendment to the law includes simpler access to the short-time allowance, the entitlement to receive increased rates of benefits, as well as opportunities to earn additional income during periods of short-time work.
Partners of the Alliance for Initial and Further Training promote vocational training during the “Week of Training 2022” of the Federal Employment Agency
Joint Press Release
Give more training a go!
On Monday, “Training week” gets underway in Germany. In a variety of campaigns, job centres and careers advice centres for young people and their partners will raise the profile of in-house training and provide information on the opportunities that it offers to young people and businesses.
70 years of the BA: challenges in the anniversary year
The Federal Employment Agency has been bringing people and jobs together for 70 years. In its anniversary year, its key tasks are managing the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, accompanying structural change, and strategies for responding to the increasing shortage of skilled workers.
Labour market in February 2022 – continued recovery before start of Ukraine war
"The upward trend in the labour market continued until February. However, the current indicators still fail to depict the Russo-Ukrainian War,“ said Detlef Scheele, Chairman of the Federal Employment Agency (BA), at today's monthly press conference in Nuremberg.
Video communication in the BA: in a few clicks to your consultation
In addition to its personal and phone consultations, the BA has launched an interactive supplementary service, with more than 150,000 video calls being made since the autumn of 2020. This service will continue even after the end of the pandemic.
"Day of social justice": the Federal Employment Agency (BA) supports fair migration
The Federal Employment Agency (BA) is working to encourage fair access to the German labour market for people from Germany, the EU and other countries in a variety of ways. Together with its EURES network partners, for example, it is creating a digital and face-to-face Europe-wide offering for jobseekers and businesses.
The BA’s Family Benefits Office takes stock: 2021 in figures
Last year, the Federal Employment Agency’s (BA) Family Benefits Office was confronted with pandemic-related challenges. In addition to child benefit and the child allowance, both this year’s child bonus and the children’s leisure bonus were paid out to a significantly higher number of families.
Labour market in January 2022
Despite mitigation measures still on path to recovery
Despite the pandemic: federal employment agency recruits more skilled workers from abroad
Notwithstanding the difficult conditions caused by the pandemic over the past year, the Federal Employment Agency (BA) has succeeded in further increasing the recruitment of skilled workers from abroad.
Providing young adults with vocational qualifications: "Zukunftsstarter" ["Start the Future"] initiative to continue
The Federal Ministry of Labour & Social Affairs (BMAS), the Federal Employment Agency (BA), and the Executive Board of the BA have agreed to commit themselves more strongly to continue their efforts to provide education and training to young adults. The "Start the Future" ("Zukunftsstarter") initiative is to continue from January 2022 until the end of 2025.
Significantly fewer appeals and complaints in the general social security system
• The number of appeals and complaints fell by almost a fifth in 2021
• Appeals rate in joint institutions amounts to approximately 1.6 percent
Review of the year 2021
Labour market recovers in second year of the coronavirus pandemic
The labour market in December 2021
Seasonally-adjusted fall in unemployment also at the end of the year
Children’s allowance increases as of January
More money for families with low incomes
Extension until 31 March 2022 of special provisions concerning short-time work compensation
The extension until 31 March 2022 per Short-Time Work Compensation Extension Regulation, the Act to Consolidate Preventive Vaccinations Against COVID-19, and amendments to further regulations in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic eased access to short-time work compensation, eligibility for higher benefits, and supplementary jobs during short-time work.
Optional online jobseeker registration from 1 January 2022
From the start of 2022, customers will be able to register online as unemployed using the ID card electronic verification feature. This new eService is a further digital innovation, offering an alternative to prior compulsory personal unemployment registration.
Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA) [Federal Employment Agency] signs mediation agreement with the Indian state of Kerala
The BA has signed its second mediation agreement with a non-EU state in accordance with the new Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz [Skilled Worker Immigration Act].
The labour market in November 2021
Still on the way to recovery
Paving the way to the mainstream labour market with inclusive companies
People with disabilities still face more obstacles in the labour market than those without. The severely disabled unemployed, for example, are less likely to find a job on the mainstream labour market than people who are not severely handicapped.
Job centres introduce 2G Rule for personal interviews
The job centres remain open as usual even in times of high infection rates.
Budget of Federal Employment Agency well positioned for upcoming tasks
The administrative board of the Federal Employment Agency (BA) today adopted its budget for 2022. It is on this basis that the BA will be able to provide the necessary support for training, employment and qualifications in the upcoming year.
Partners of the Alliance for Education and Training look back on a successful "Summer of Vocational Training"
Joint Press Release
Vocational training market report for 2020/21
The vocational training market is still strongly affected by the pandemic, but looking brighter
The labour market in October 2021
The positive development continues
Fifty years in the service of international organisations
For 50 years, the Federal Employment Agency has been advising and supporting German experts as they start their career at international organisations such as the United Nations or the European Union. On 1st October 1971, the Office for Managers at International Organizations (BFIO), based at the Federal Employment Agency’s International Placement Service (ZAV), commenced its work.
Recruiting skilled workers from abroad
The Federal Employment Agency is striving for deeper cooperation with Indonesia
The labour market in September 2021
Good development continues
The labour market in August 2021
Another marked improvement in spite of the summer break
Nurses from abroad
Federal Employment Agency signs placement agreement with Indonesia
The labour market in July 2021
Further significant improvement
Takeover of 17,000 small family benefits offices
more than 1.5 million child benefit cases switch over to the Federal Employment Agency’s family benefits office
Wages only increased slightly in 2020
• Smallest increase in wages since 2009
• In the manufacturing and hospitality sectors, the median is even falling
• The coronavirus effect in relation to the median wage might be 69 euros
• Differences between east and west are falling, but are still clear
Anja Piel becomes chair of the administrative board of the Federal Employment Agency
Anja Piel took over the chair of the administrative board of the Federal Employment Agency in the middle of the year. She is a member of the Federal Executive Board of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB).
The labour market in June 2021
Significant improvement
Additional help in the pandemic
Children’s leisure bonus 2021
German Digital Day 2021
The BA is encouraging digital participation
Partners in the Alliance for Initial and Further Training launch the “Summer of Vocational Training”
Joint press release
The labour market in May 2021
First signs of improvement
Career orientation from home
Digital teaching units support young people in discovering their future paths
International Nurses Day
More employees now in care professions
The labour market in April 2021
Sustained spring recovery reduces unemployment
Corona supplement and child bonus
150 euros each will be paid in May 2021
Employee qualification remains at a high level
Demographic change, structural change and digitalisation are making the qualification of employees increasingly important. The BA can support companies by providing training guidance and subsidies for course costs and wages.
Training at a glance
New website brings together information and offers
Number of sanctions fell sharply last year
Main reason being the Corona pandemic
The labour market in March 2021
Spring revival despite rising infection figures
Child bonus – One-off payment for families in 2021
This year, those entitled to child benefit will once again receive a one-off payment, this time in the amount of €150.
Alliance for Initial and Further Training
The partners in the Alliance for Initial and Further Training decide upon a “Joint action to support training companies and young people in the coronavirus pandemic”
The Future Calls for Vocational Training – Invitation to the Nationwide Week of Vocational Training from March 15 to 19, 2021
The corona pandemic is also having an impact on the vocational training market. The Executive Board and Administrative Board of the Federal Employment Agency are therefore calling for joint efforts to bring companies and young people together.
One Year of Corona – Review of and Prospects for the Labour Market
Joint press release by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Federal Employment Agency
The Labour Market in February 2021
The Labour Market continues to withstand the Lockdown
BA Budget
Record Spending in 2020
“BA-Mobil” – New Customer App Expands Digital Offering
With the introduction of the new customer app “BA-Mobil”, customers of the Federal Employment Agency (BA) can address their unemployment insurance needs by contacting their local employment agency even faster and around the clock.
The Labour Market in January 2021
Robust Development Despite Lockdown
Child Bonus Paid to 10 Million Families
Family Fund Reports Positive Balance Sheet
Fewer Appeals and Complaints in Basic Security Benefits
Number of appeals and complaints fell again in 2020 - Appeal rate in joint institutions at 2.3 percent
Annual Review 2020
Labour Market under Heavy Pressure due to Corona Crisis
The Labour Market in December 2020
Short-time work is stabilising, seasonally adjusted unemployment continues to decline
Child Benefit to Increase as of January
More Money for Families with Lower Incomes
Child benefits to increase starting in January
Starting in January the highest increase in child benefits since 2010 will take place
New Pilot Project on Skilled Worker Immigration Launched
The Federal Employment Agency (BA) and DIHK Service GmbH are launching “Hand in Hand for international Talents”, a new project to attract skilled workers from Brazil, India and Vietnam to Germany.
€ 2.7 Billion for Participation in the Working Lives of People with Disabilities
The Federal Employment Agency (BA) is using the International Day of People with Disabilities as an opportunity to promote inclusion in the workplace. The BA budget for next year includes € 2.7 billion to support people with disabilities.
The Labour Market in November 2020
Further seasonally adjusted decline in unemployment despite partial lockdown
BA Budget 2021 allows for stabilisation of training and employment in difficult times
The Administrative Board of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA) today adopted the budget for 2021. At the same time, the committee temporarily approved up to 5,500 additional employees.
Christina Ramb elected as new Chair of the BA Administrative Board
Three women head the Administrative Board of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit