Cairo – Egypt and Austria, in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration, have launched the EAGLE project, a new skills mobility partnership designed to create safer, more structured and more demand-driven labour migration opportunities between the two countries.
The initiative aims to connect skills development in Egypt with labour market needs in Austria, while also strengthening employment opportunities within Egypt. Through a targeted training and mobility model, EAGLE seeks to support young Egyptian graduates in gaining the technical, linguistic and practical competencies required by employers in the transport manufacturing sector.
At the centre of the project is a tailored training programme in metal technology and processing occupations, with a particular focus on areas relevant to modern transport manufacturing. The curriculum will combine technical instruction, soft skills development, language training and practical preparation for employment. It will also include training-of-trainers activities to help local instructors deliver the programme effectively and strengthen long-term vocational training capacity in Egypt.
A total of 135 selected participants are expected to take part in the programme. At least 100 candidates who intend to work in Austria will receive German language training at A2 level or higher, while 35 participants preparing for the Egyptian labour market will receive English language training. Scholarships and internship opportunities in Egypt will also be provided to improve practical experience and increase employability.
For participants matched with Austrian employers, the project will offer a package of mobility support services. This includes assistance with visa procedures, travel arrangements, accommodation and orientation before departure and after arrival. Additional German language training related to workplace communication will also be part of the integration support.
EAGLE also places emphasis on cooperation with companies. Austrian employers involved in the project will receive support in developing onboarding strategies and intercultural training for staff, helping create more inclusive workplaces for skilled Egyptian workers. This employer-focused approach is intended to make labour mobility more sustainable and better aligned with real market demand.
The project is implemented by the Austrian Federal Chancellery in collaboration with IOM and is funded under the European Union’s Migration Partnership Facility, which is managed by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development. The project runs from September 2025 to February 2028 and has a budget of EUR 2,718,976, with 94.62% funded through AMIF.
Beyond individual training and recruitment, EAGLE is intended to contribute to broader cooperation on regular migration, skills recognition and labour market matching. Its structure includes an Executive Board, Advisory Board and thematic task forces, including a Team Europe Task Force aimed at encouraging exchange with interested EU Member States and supporting wider learning from the partnership model.
By combining vocational training, employer engagement, migration support and integration measures, EAGLE offers a practical model for labour mobility that can benefit both countries: Egypt through skills development and employment opportunities, and Austria through access to qualified workers in sectors facing labour shortages.
