- Published: 05.03.2025.
New joint EMN-OECD inform examines innovative strategies to attract foreign talent
The latest joint EMN and OECD inform examines new and innovative ways to attract foreign talent used by EMN Member countries and selected non-EMN OECD countries, covering the period January 2021 and March 2024.
Since 2021, a total of 15 EMN Member Countries have introduced new or innovative approaches to attract foreign talent. The EMN inform focuses specifically on two groups of "foreign talent" - third-country nationals with higher professional qualifications or skills and individuals of all skill levels working in high value-added economic sectors.EMN Member Countries use varying approaches to define what constitutes a high value-added economic sector. However, frequently highlighted sectors include healthcare and life sciences (including social work and the pharmaceutical industry), information communication technology (ICT) and (high) technology and manufacturing and chemical industries.
EMN Member Countries use various funding strategies to attract foreign talent, including EU funds, national resources, and a combination of both. Nine of the 15 countries with new or innovative approaches reported relying on EU funds, initiatives and programmes, such as Talent Partnerships. Talent Partnerships provide a policy framework and funding to enhance international mobility by aligning EU labour market needs with skills from partner countries. Italy was the only country to report initiatives solely relying on EU funding. Others use a combination of EU and national resources.
Six EMN Member Countries fund their projects through national resources
Some EMN Member Countries have not introduced new initiatives but continue to rely on established measures to attract foreign talent which may not be specifically targeted Each EMN Member Country defined ‘new and innovative’ based on their own criteria.
Six EMN Member Countries are implementing or planning programmes to validate and develop skills in third countries, while thirteen provide third-country nationals with pre- and post-arrival assistance, such as relocation information and cultural orientation.
One non-EMN country is enhancing its human resources to align its immigration policies with a long-term skills and labour strategy, announcing in 2024 its plans to introduce a Chief International Talent Officer.
Initiatives are implemented by a range of actors, including national authorities, private stakeholders, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Ministries of Economic Affairs, Labour, and sometimes Migration or Foreign Affairs can also play a role.
Regular monitoring of initiatives to assess effectiveness against national objectives is carried out by ten EMN Member Countries.
Challenges that deter participation in initiatives, for example, complex administrative processes or verifying foreign qualifications have been identified in ten EMN Member Countries.
Download the inform here.
Six EMN Member Countries fund their projects through national resources
Some EMN Member Countries have not introduced new initiatives but continue to rely on established measures to attract foreign talent which may not be specifically targeted Each EMN Member Country defined ‘new and innovative’ based on their own criteria.
Six EMN Member Countries are implementing or planning programmes to validate and develop skills in third countries, while thirteen provide third-country nationals with pre- and post-arrival assistance, such as relocation information and cultural orientation.
One non-EMN country is enhancing its human resources to align its immigration policies with a long-term skills and labour strategy, announcing in 2024 its plans to introduce a Chief International Talent Officer.
Initiatives are implemented by a range of actors, including national authorities, private stakeholders, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Ministries of Economic Affairs, Labour, and sometimes Migration or Foreign Affairs can also play a role.
Regular monitoring of initiatives to assess effectiveness against national objectives is carried out by ten EMN Member Countries.
Challenges that deter participation in initiatives, for example, complex administrative processes or verifying foreign qualifications have been identified in ten EMN Member Countries.
Download the inform here.