Success story integration in the labour market – We are International – integration in the labour market

Even if the recruitment process for foreign skilled workers can mean more effort, it often pays off in several ways. In addition to the possibility that vacancies can be filled more quickly due to the larger pool of applicants, diverse teams bring new innovative strength through different perspectives and approaches and increase international expertise - a skill that should not be underestimated in our globalised world.

Attracting skilled workers from abroard together

In the Augsburg economic region, the Skilled Labour Initiative network is the right point of contact for issues relating to securing skilled labour. The network consists of the Swabian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Swabian Chamber of Crafts, the Augsburg Employment Agency and the Swabian Federation of Trade Unions. The city of Augsburg, the district of Augsburg and the district of Aichach-Friedberg are represented by Regio Augsburg Wirtschaft GmbH. One of the network's topics is the recruitment of foreign skilled labour. The contacts offer interested companies in Region A3 support in the form of counselling sessions, prepared information material and practical personal assistance. In this way, companies and organisations in the region can be accompanied and supported in the recruitment process for foreign skilled workers. The Chamber of Skilled Crafts for Swabia is responsible for checking the vocational training of foreign applicants and certifying professional recognition. If proof or skills are missing, these can be made up through qualification measures. To this end, the Swabian Chamber of Industry and Commerce offers training programmes that also enable domestic skilled workers to gain further qualifications.

Living a welcoming culture

The Augsburg Mentoring Partnership shows what integration into the German labour market can look like for migrants. The programme is implemented by MigraNet - IQ Network Bavaria and coordinated by Tür an Tür - Integrationsprojekte GmbH. Mentees and mentors have been successfully brought together in the Augsburg economic region since 2013. Participation has continued to increase over the years, as the success speaks for itself: on average, around 50 per cent of mentees find a suitable job during or shortly after participating in the mentoring programme. Others gain access to a qualification in their professional field or start an internship. The programme gives people who are new to Germany access to professional networks and insights into the local labour market - many already have qualifications and professional experience. A mentor in the same field of work can share tips and experiences on an equal footing. 35 companies from the Augsburg economic region regularly take part in the programme. This gives them access to potential skilled workers and also enhances their image and diversity within the company.