Vermittlungshilfen

Vermittlungshilfen is a term used in German social policy to describe a set of active labor market measures intended to support the placement of job seekers into employment or training. They are offered by the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) and local Jobcenters within the framework of the Social Code (SGB II and SGB III). The overarching aim is to reduce barriers to hiring and to improve the match between vacancies and applicants, with particular focus on groups facing higher obstacles to employment, such as long-term unemployed, youth, people with disabilities, older workers, or migrants.

The term covers several forms of aid, typically including wage subsidies for employers (to partly cover the cost of hiring), subsidies for training or internships, support for the onboarding or continued employment of trainees, and assistance with travel or relocation costs related to work or training. In some programs, Vermittlungshilfen may also fund mentoring, work trials, or assessments that help determine job suitability. Eligibility, duration, and amounts vary by program and are determined on a case-by-case basis by the employment authorities.

Legal framework and administration: The measures fall under SGB II and SGB III as part of active labor market policy. Applicants apply through the local Jobcenter or the Bundesagentur für Arbeit; decisions are guided by the applicant’s work history, qualifications, and employment prospects.

Assessment: Evaluations of Vermittlungshilfen show potential to improve placement rates and shorten unemployment durations, but outcomes depend on program design, target groups, and integration with other services. The term is primarily used in Germany; similar instruments exist in other German-speaking countries under different names.