Deaf-mute trainee in a metal working workshop
Speaking in a video pod cast on 30 January, German Chancellor Angela Merkel posed the question: "How can we extend the integration of disabled and non-disabled people to include working life?" The Chancellor believes that this is a key issue in terms of disability policy.
At the beginning of February, she visited a vocational training centre for disabled young people in Greifswald in a bid to demonstrate just what is possible if the disabled are able to access a suitable training course.
"This is giving many young people a real chance as well as an opportunity to show plenty of initiative in the area of leisure activities." Vocational training centres for disabled young people are a bridge to the initial labour market. "This is a bridge which we are seeking to expand," said Mrs. Merkel. The aim is for employers to recognise the strengths of disabled people and to offer them a chance.
It is completely wrong simply to associate disability with limitations. Disabled persons have many talents, and these can also be exploited on the labour market in particular. Indeed, there are many good practical examples which show this.
Despite the economic upturn, the long-term unemployed and workers without a vocational qualification are still experiencing tough times on the labour market. The goal of the Federal Government is to improve opportunities for the low skilled.
Anyone seeking to meet the challenge of future changes in the workplace needs to undergo training. Too few low skilled workers have been pursuing this route up until now. Such workers often lack certain basic competences which are required in order to complete courses and examinations.
Employees at small and medium-sized firms who are studying in their free time in order to acquire a vocational qualification have not previously received any support. The plan now is for this to change and for funding to be made available from the employment agencies and in the form of a continuing training grant.