German rail project to recruit BTech, Polytechnic, and ITI graduates from Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: Germany is recruiting 4,000 professionals who have passed BTech, Polytechnic, or ITI courses in Mechanical and Civil branches from institutions in Kerala for a railway modernization project. A team from Germany visited the state to find people with the necessary expertise. The project in Germany involves the modernization of 9,000 km of railway track over six years.

The recruitment for Deutsche Bahn (DB), the company implementing the modernization project, will be carried out by the Kerala Academy for Skills Excellence (KASE). Selected candidates will receive monthly emoluments of 3,500 Euros (around Rs 3.18 lakh).

The modernization program was launched by the German railway, known for its punctuality, after trains began running late due to faults on tracks. However, DB faced a shortage of skilled personnel in Germany. After the company began searching for employees with the necessary skills, German Consul General in Bengaluru, Achim Burkart, directed them to visit Kerala.

In Kerala, the team from Germany held discussions with Minister for Labour and General Education V Sivankutty and KASE Managing Director Dr Veena N Madhavan. The team also visited the Indian Institute of Infrastructure and Construction at Chavara and some engineering and polytechnic colleges before returning to Germany. Another visit by the German team is expected soon.

KASE will select candidates based on minimum eligibility criteria, which are currently being discussed. Selected candidates will receive coaching in the German language and undergo an internship at institutions such as Kochi Metro before heading to Germany.

Germany recently relaxed its immigration policy to attract more Indian citizens. Some German agencies are already conducting the ‘Triple Win’ scheme in Kerala with the support of NORKA to recruit nurses after teaching them the German language. Over 400 nurses have reached Germany in the last couple of years under the scheme, and around 500 more are now ready to leave. The success of ‘Triple Win’ prompted the German railway company to seek professionals in the construction sector from Kerala.