KölnBusiness and TH Köln launch Talent Hub Cologne with 2.7 million euros
KölnBusiness Wirtschaftsförderung and the Cologne University of Applied Sciences (TH Köln) have launched the Talent Hub Cologne. The new contact point is intended to support companies in Cologne and the region in the recruitment and long-term retention of skilled workers, particularly from abroad. The aim is to strengthen the competitiveness of the regional economy.
Reaction to the increasing shortage of skilled workers
The shortage of skilled workers is a key challenge for many companies in Germany. According to the German Economic Institute, around 6,100 jobs in Cologne and the region can no longer be filled due to a lack of suitable skilled workers. Demographic change and the increasing demand for new qualifications are likely to exacerbate this trend. The Federal Employment Agency expects the working-age population in the Cologne/Bonn region to fall by around 118,000 people by 2037.
New central point of contact for companies
With the Talent Hub Cologne, KölnBusiness and TH Köln are creating a central point of contact that provides companies with targeted support in the recruitment and integration of international specialists. The focus is on networking companies with qualified talent and on measures to retain employees in the region in the long term.
Project duration and funding
The project will initially run until the end of 2028 and has a total budget of 2.7 million euros. Around 90 percent of the funds come from subsidies from the European Union and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, which KölnBusiness and TH Köln have actively raised. The remaining funds are provided by both project partners themselves.
Team and scientific support
The Talent Hub Cologne is implemented by a team of seven. It is headed by Dr. Antje Lienert, an ergonomist and economist with a doctorate, who has been working at KölnBusiness since 2019. Scientific support is provided by the TH Köln under the direction of Prof. Dr. Carsten Knaut; a doctoral position is also planned.
There is a particular focus on the region's university landscape. Around 14,000 students graduate in Cologne every year, including many international graduates. The aim of the Talent Hub Cologne is to connect these talents with regional companies at an early stage and to highlight career prospects in the region.
Building on existing formats
With the Talent Hub Cologne, KölnBusiness is building on existing offers for recruiting skilled workers, including industry-specific job fairs such as for the catering and logistics sectors. Further formats are planned for 2026, including for the retail sector and specifically for international skilled workers. These activities are to be further developed and expanded together with regional partners.
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