Young skilled labour talent from the Emsland region in Berlin: Federal Labour Minister Ursula von der Leyen has welcomed 15 young Spanish people from Murcia and Albacete, who currently attend a language course in the Emsland region and East Frisia and who then will begin a work placement.
The Spaniards, who so far have not been able to secure a vocational training placement in their home country, have been in Northern Germany since the beginning of April and are to take up an apprenticeship in various occupations in the region as of summer.
The idea to invite young Spaniards to Germany and to offer them an apprenticeship came from representatives of "Ems-Achse", a network of 400 members in the region including municipalities, employment agencies, chambers of crafts and commerce and enterprises. In March this year, the "Ems-Achse" was honoured by Federal Labour Minister Ursula von der Leyen as one of five innovative networks for safeguarding the skilled labour supply nationwide.
Ursula von der Leyen praised the exemplary initiative. The "Ems-Achse" achieves a double goal: Regional enterprises at long last find a new apprentice after a long search for young skilled labour talent, whereas the young Spaniards can at last embark on a career in the economically strong Ems region. Later, they will be the best ambassadors for Germany in Europe.
The Emsland region is already affected by a severe demographic gap in the labour market. As regards apprenticeship placements, the region displays full employment. The "Ems-Achse" has identified the issue: If local enterprises run into difficulties because of the lack of apprentices and, conversely, in Spain, every second young person under the age of 25 waits for a chance to at last get a foothold in the labour market, energy and organisation can provide help for both sides.
Yet the culture of welcome includes also not turning a blind eye or trivialising the impediments. Therefore, the "Ems-Achse" concept of preceding the actual apprenticeship with a phase of intensive language courses and work placements is feasible.