In 2015 alone, more than 1.1 million
refugees streamed into Germany seeking a new life. Thousands
more have arrived since then. For many, finding
work is a key step in the successful integration into a new society.
To help with this transition, the city of Berlin held
Germany’s first refugee-only job fair in December of 2016. Berliner Glas, a
company that designs and manufactures optical components, assemblies, and
systems, was one of the 211 companies that met with more than 4,000 refugee job
seekers during the one-day event. The attendees came from a wide variety of
vocational backgrounds -- from science and technology to sales and
construction. They also presented challenges not usually found among
native-born German job applicants.
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| Berliner Glas booth at job fair for refugees in Berlin |
"The integration of refugees into everyday work
does not succeed just by pressing a button, said Dr. Regina Draheim-Krieg, head
of Human Resources at Berliner Glas.” Many conditions have to be fulfilled and
willingness from both the company and the refugee to try something new is
essential.”
Dr. Draheim-Krieg points out that “a high degree of
appreciation, flexibility, and openness” is required by both the company hiring
and the refugees themselves. Language plays a key role, and learning German is
basic for integrating refugee employees, said Draheim-Krieg.
Some companies in Germany offer German language
courses for refugees, while others, such as Berliner Glas, offer flexible hours
so new employees can participate in language classes outside of work. Berliner
Glas also pays part of the course fees for refugees.
Job qualification also plays a key role. Working with
Germany’s Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit), Berliner Glas
has set up training for those new to the industry and experienced workers who
may need additional training.
Since the 2016 job fair, Berliner Glas has taken on
two refugee workers and recently hired a new intern.
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| Employees in clean room at Berliner Glas |
There have been other refugee-only job fairs in cities
across Germany and Berlin will be hosting their second on 25 January. Due to
their positive experience with refugee workers, Berliner Glas will be attending
again.
According to Ekkehard Streletzki, initiator of the Berlin job fair and owner of Estrel Berlin where the event
is held, the response from job seekers and employers has been “overwhelmingly
positive.” Through the job fairs, Berlin’s business community is creating a
platform for incorporating work and vocational training, said Streletzki. “We
see it as our social responsibility to ensure a successful future economy and
peaceful coexistence.”
Kevin
Liddane, Director of Business Development for North America at Berliner Glas,
is proud of his colleagues for participating in this program, especially in
light of recent violent events in Berlin. “This program says a lot about the
people at Berliner Glas, the citizens of Berlin, and Germans in general who
have been sheltering refugees,” said Liddane. “I believe we could all learn a
valuable lesson from them.”
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