A think tank study has found that many German companies are rising to the challenges posed by the influx of migrants. Jobs and training are indispensible to the integration effort, the report emphasizes.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/S. Hoppe
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Three out of every four German businesses are assuming some sort of responsibility in the country's efforts to manage its dramatic increase in migrants, according to a study commissioned by the Bertelsmann Stiftung and carried out by the Cologne Institute for Economic Research.
"Businesses take on a key role when it comes to giving refugees an outlook on the future," said Birgit Riess, director of the Business in Society program with the Bertelsmann Foundation.
"Industry pitches in when acute help is needed and makes long-term integration possible through work and training," she continued.
Job market opportunities
The report looked favorably upon the job market prospects that corporations have provided for both trained and untrained migrants alike. One in three businesses has expanded its offerings for job training or consulting, according to the report.
Two-fifths of German companies were said to view the influx of migrants as a positive opportunity for business, making it easier to find "especially motivated and ready-to-learn employees" and generally boosting the "intercultural competence" and creativity of staff members.
The Bertelsmann Foundation is a German economic think tank "based on the conviction that ownership is tied to societal responsibility." The Cologne Institute for Economic Research pledges to support "Germany's socially responsible free market economy."
German companies start refugee programs
Several large corporations have launched initiatives aimed at facilitating refugees’ entry into the German labor market. But what exactly are SAP or Daimler doing to make integration in the workplace easier?
Image: DW/C. Röder
Preparation for the labor market
The world's largest chemical group, BASF, wants to prepare 50 refugees for entry into the German world of work. For a year, they will receive language and further training, in order to then start an apprenticeship or job. BASF has approximately 50,000 employees in Germany alone.
Image: picture alliance/Keystone/J. Zick
Internships at Daimler
The carmaker has taken on 40 new trainees in recent weeks. Within 14 weeks, the refugees will have learned simple production tasks. The Federal Employment Agency provides these so-called “bridge internships” and covers the costs for the first six weeks. In the remaining eight weeks Daimler will pay its interns the minimum wage and finance their language courses.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/B. Weißbrod
Job ads on the internet
Since the beginning of September, Deutsche Telekom has offered more than 70 placements on the main refugee internet platform "worker." These positions are paid based on their length, either in a lump sum or the minimum wage. In addition, the Group plans to create 100 additional training places for refugees next year. Deutsche Telekom employs 120,000 people countrywide.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/J. Stratenschulte
Further training for electrical engineers
Refugees with professional experience may undergo a shortened training program to become an electrician at Deutsche Bahn. The program will take nearly two and a half years, a year less than the normal. Currently, 15 people seeking asylum are undergoing placements at Deutsche Bahn, with nine to follow. The group said it would like to take on all 24 trainees at the end of the program.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/F. May
German courses and internships
Siemens is currently offering ten internships for refugees. Next year, the technology group plans to expand its program, providing up to 100 internships for refugees nationwide. Siemens also plans to introduce four types of German courses for 16 refugees at a time, to prepare them for the workplace. With 115,000 employees, Siemens is the seventh largest company in Germany.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/R. Jensen
Only for the highly qualified
Software manufacturer SAP wants to provide at least 100 internships for refugees in the coming year. The openings are primarily for the highly qualified. As such, the group expects basic technical knowledge and a university degree or an equivalent qualification. SAP also plans to create ten additional places in a dual degree program, in business computer science.
Image: picture-alliance/Sven Simon/B. Lauter
Not just the big companies
The entry of refugees into the workplace incurs bureaucratic red tape for all companies, regardless of their size. Nevertheless, alongside the big corporations, many middle and smaller size companies are also getting involved in helping refugees find their way into the workplace.
