
A GIZ guidance programme helps young refugees learn about the world of work in Germany. Many use the opportunity as a springboard into employment.
The programme’s structure is similar to that of the first year of a dual apprenticeship, with trainees working at GIZ and attending a vocational school part-time. The programme also provides language training and remedial classes, and trainees work with others in learning groups. In the second half of 2020, the programme is running for the fifth time, and seven young people from Syria and Afghanistan are currently preparing for apprenticeships as office administrators.
The programme has been a huge help to Alina Aycha, as she explains: ‘The introductory training helped me make very rapid progress with my language skills and to familiarise myself with the areas my apprenticeship would cover. That all made the first year of my apprenticeship much easier.’
Like Alina Aycha, many participants then go on to complete an apprenticeship. Most stay at GIZ, while others move to organisations with a similar background. Amin Aljasim, too, opted for an apprenticeship at GIZ. The 24-year-old arrived in Germany from Syria four years ago and says the programme has helped him enormously: ‘I really had no idea what job I wanted to do. The entry-level skills development programme meant I learned a lot about office work, and I then took a conscious decision to train in that area.’ Aljasim had the support of a mentor during his introductory training, enabling him to improve the marks he was getting at the vocational school. And now he is helping other participants in the introductory programme.
Source: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), 13 November 2020