Success Story: Création Gross, Employer in Hersbruck
Our Success Stories: Création Gross, Employer in Hersbruck
We are determined to tackle the shortage of skilled workers head-on. To do so, it is worth looking beyond the horizon. Thomas Steinhart is the Managing Director of Création Gross, a major clothing manufacturer based in Hersbruck near Nuremberg. In this interview, he explains how his company actively attracts international talents and retains them in the long term.
What do you see as the greatest advantage of hiring international talents?
Of course, we also experience the shortage of skilled workers in various areas. There are simply positions that require specific expertise. International candidates are usually highly qualified. They bring additional know-how into the company, and we benefit from internationalisation.
Every new culture is an incredible enrichment for us. For example, we have departments where employees now only speak English with each other. We have become very open in our mindsets and approaches.
You export to 48 countries worldwide. Have you been able to benefit from the expertise of your international employees in this regard?
Yes, absolutely! Language skills, in particular, are a very valuable resource. But even more so, our employees help us with imports. Their contacts with authorities or knowledge of their native languages are invaluable to us.
What challenges have you encountered when attracting international skilled workers?
The process of skilled worker immigration is bureaucratic and time-consuming. Getting foreign educational qualifications recognised often takes several months. The bureaucracy in the countries of origin is not any less complicated either. Even if you have successfully handled several procedures from different countries, you still face new challenges with each new case.
It is impossible without the support of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Regional immigration authorities – in our case, the district office – are also a great help to us here. When it comes to reaching out to foreign candidates, it almost always involves recruitment agencies and specialised service providers – which comes with high costs. We would like to see even more networking opportunities in this area.
How do you support international professionals when they arrive in your region?
We handle the entire visa process on the German side, organise their move, and cover all associated costs. For their first weeks in Germany, we provide housing and arrange kindergarten or school placements for their children as well as language courses. We also assist with everyday matters such as setting up bank accounts, organising doctor’s visits, finding sports clubs, or getting driver’s licences recognised. Employees start almost from scratch in a new culture – so intensive support is essential at the beginning.
From your perspective: What distinguishes Création Gross as a Bavarian company in its approach to working with international employees?
We have around 40 nationalities working here; our employees speak a total of 36 languages – occasionally even Franconian or Bavarian dialects. We try to involve everyone right from the start, whether it is through yoga sessions or company celebrations. It is important that people quickly feel at home and part of the team. I think we are doing quite well at that.
We have already brought several skilled workers from abroad to our company and connect them with each other during the visa process. They share valuable tips and help alleviate fears among one another. It is a good sign that our ‘older’ international professionals are still with us and continue to enjoy working here.
Employer Support in Bavaria
The Central Office for Skilled Worker Immigration is available to employers for all questions related to skilled worker immigration and the associated processes! The linked Coordination and Advisory Office for Professional Recognition (KuBB) also provides guidance on the recognition of foreign professional qualifications.
Taskforce for Securing Skilled Workers (FKS+)
The Taskforce for Securing Skilled Workers (FKS+) supports companies in recruiting skilled professionals from the EU and third countries.