Retrainees from Indonesia join German logistics firm
Sought and found: a logistics company has found two retrainees from Indonesia through BeRi Germany. This example from the Allgäu region, Germany, shows how this can be achieved in a fair, transparent and economically viable way.
Früchte Jork, a company based in the Allgäu region of southern Germany and a full-range supplier in the food sector, supplies hospitals, care homes, hotels and the catering industry. Work starts early at four o'clock and is well paid. For years, however, the company has faced difficulties in filling vacancies for professional drivers.
To solve the problem, the company is turning to international skilled workers who see their future in Germany. So far, drivers from Africa and South America have been recruited. However, the company quickly realised that the entire recruitment process required far more resources than its own HR department could provide.
Früchte Jork therefore decided to commission an external service provider. The choice fell on BeRi Germany GmbH.
Visit to the ATMI Polytechnic University in West Java
Cooperation with BeRi Germany – fair principles
BeRi Germany specialises in placing candidates from Indonesia and Nepal in German apprenticeship roles and has cooperation agreements with several educational institutions in these countries.
Früchte Jork commissioned BeRi Germany to place two retrainees. The candidates sought had to hold a lorry driving licence in their country of origin and demonstrate sufficient driving experience. BeRi Germany utilised its Indonesian partner institutions to find candidates. Once the German company's requirements had been outlined, the first applications were received quickly, and two young men were found who were ideally suited for retraining in the Allgäu region.
During the recruitment process, BeRi Germany works strictly according to the 'Employer Pays Only' principle. Under this arrangement, the employer bears all costs for the recruitment and training of the skilled workers. The training institutions in the candidates' home countries are obliged to uphold fair conditions.
German lessons in Bandung, West Java
Two candidates – two motivated prospects
Both candidates are highly motivated and eager to make a fresh start in Germany.
Albert, born in 1993, is a safety officer at a mining company in eastern Indonesia. He works a six-day week with no real prospects for promotion. At another construction firm, he passed the recruitment test with a 100% correct score, but was not hired because of his age. He is looking for a new opportunity. Germany is an option for him, and he has been learning German since 2024.
Albert's wife is currently learning German, has already reached C1 level and is working towards having her medical qualifications recognised in Germany.
Ralf, born in 2000, completed his bachelor's degree in tourism in 2022 but was unable to find a job in the sector. Since then, he has been driving a 12-tonne lorry four times a week, transporting onions from the countryside to the metropolis of Jakarta. He is highly motivated to make a change.
Both candidates were prepared to wait from the time of the selection process in mid-2025 until early April 2026, until a new retraining programme begins with their future employer. During the waiting period, they improved their German language skills to lay the foundations for a long-term future in Germany.
Leaving their home country was a difficult decision for both men. But they see much better prospects in Germany and therefore took this ambitious step.
The new colleagues have landed and are being picked up by their trainers
Employer supports integration in Germany
On their arrival in the town of Isny in the Allgäu region at the end of March 2026, the trainers Stefan and Andreas welcomed the pair. Albert and Ralf had a few days to settle into the company's trainee accommodation and make their first discoveries in Germany. At the start of April, things got underway at the company with a medical check-up and their first driving lessons.
Albert and Ralf are now settling into their new life in Germany. The company and their trainers are doing their utmost to support them, offering guidance and reassurance.
The start has been promising, and after a few weeks, Albert and Ralf have already settled in very well in the Allgäu. They find Germany incredibly exciting and are enjoying the fresh air in the Allgäu to the full after the smog in Jakarta.
Albert and Ralf are showing great curiosity and are really take joy in their work at Früchte Jork. Trainers Stefan and Andreas are very pleased with the progress their two retrainees are making and emphasise that it is great fun to work with them.
Albert and Ralf during a theory lesson in the training rooms at Früchte Jork
How recruitment succeeds
BeRi Germany cites the following success factors for the successful and fair recruitment of international skilled workers:
- Employer Pays Only principle
- Transparent criteria and clear requirements for the skilled workers sought, communicated openly
- Cooperation with educational institutions in countries of origin facilitates the identification of suitable candidates
- German language skills as a key prerequisite for integration
- Fair pay, opportunities for professional development and long-term prospects within the German company strengthen trust and stability
- An external service provider reduces the workload on the German company's own HR department
Once skilled workers have arrived from abroad, close guidance and support for the 'newcomers' from the employer and the workforce is crucial to retaining them in the company in the long term.
