Refugees become trainees

The Federal Ministry of Education, the Federal Employment Agency and the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts have launched an initiative which aims to see 10,000 young refugees begin company-based training in the craft trades by the spring of 2018

Around half of refugees are aged under 25. Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, Federal Minister of Education Johanna Wanka stated such persons find it tough to access training, despite the high degree of motivation they show.

The goal of the programme "Routes into training for refugees" is to lead on to training in the craft trades in a staged and practically related manner. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Federal Employment Agency (BA) have joined forces with the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH) to launch this training initiative for refugees.

Mrs. Wanka said that such an alliance between the Federal Government and the craft trades sector was a sensible approach towards achieving sustainable integration. "Everyone does what they can do well." The craft trades sector will provide the necessary training places, whilst the government and the Employment Agency will support the acquisition of German language skills and introduce refugees to the dual training system.

Young people aged under 25 who have solid prospects of remaining in the country and a good knowledge of German are eligible to take part in the programme. They will previously have successfully completed the integration course offered by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).

The Employment Agency will carry out an initial vocational orientation procedure for migrants covering all training occupations and will subsequently ascertain who is suitable for the craft trades. A more detailed vocational orientation process will then see them enter practice.

Around 550 craft trade training centres are involved. "This is a simple programme which is aligned to the tried and tested structures of the German educational system," said Mrs. Wanka.

Rather than merely focusing on getting refugees into training, it is geared towards actual completion of training. The plan is to ensure this by providing close support throughout.

Frank-Jürgen Weise, Head of both the Federal Employment Agency and the BAMF, is keen to exploit this dual function. He is aware that lack of clarity regarding how long a person will be permitted to stay in Germany can disconcert companies and intends to be actively involved in removing this obstacle. The intention is that the status of young people will be secured for the whole of the period of training.

"We need skilled workers, not people who can push wheelbarrows," commented Hans Peter Wollseifer, President of the ZDH. Around 17,000 training places in the craft trades remained unfilled last year. "There are 10,000 opportunities for young people who have left everything behind. There are 10,000 chances for craft trade companies. This is a chance for society."