Deutsche Telekom : Internship PLUS direct entry

• A joint initiative of the Federal Employment Agency, Henkel, Deutsche Post DHL Group and Deutsche Telekom
• Up to 100 additional job opportunities nationwide - especially for less-qualified refugees
• Integration into the German workplace plays a key role in a person's ability to integrate into German society

The range of available options and measures for integrating refugees continues to be discussed intensively. This much is clear, however: integrating refugees within the job market is one of the central challenges involved in helping refugees settle into society. At the initiative of Kathrin Menges (Henkel), Melanie Kreis (Deutsche Post DHL Group) and Christian P. Illek (Deutsche Telekom) - all board members for human resources - and of the Executive Board of the Federal Employment Agency (BA), a joint pilot project has been developed for the purpose of helping refugees who lack qualifications and skills enter the job market. A refugee's job opportunities can be hampered by the following:

• A failure to undergo or complete vocational training in their country of origin
• Poor German-language skills that are inadequate for any sort of regular vocational training
• Age, or other personal obstacles that can keep a person out of regular vocational training

'The number of refugees who are looking for jobs is growing,' stated Raimund Becker, Member of the Executive Board of the Nuremberg-based Federal Employment Agency (BA). 'Refugees' biographies differ greatly, and thus it is often simply impossible to find jobs for refugees via the usual standard processes.' Some 86 percent of all asylum seekers have no formal vocational qualification. For this large group, other integration strategies have to be found. 'This is why we welcome the initiative, launched by Henkel, Deutsche Post DHL Group and Deutsche Telekom, for development of new pathways into the job market,' Becker added.

The pilot project, which is to run initially for 2 1/2 years, calls for candidates to undergo an 'activation and vocational integration' program (MAG) during their first twelve weeks in the project. In such programs, participants acquire an initial set of vocationally relevant skills, and they are assessed to determine what vocationally relevant qualifications and skills, including language skills, they have that could serve as a basis for their further development.

Each MAG is then followed by an internship lasting twelve weeks. In such courses, participants acquire additional practical skills and knowledge in preparation for later jobs. Participants who successfully complete their internship then receive jobs limited to a term of 24 months. The program is designed to enable the participants to move into their jobs gradually, and to accept increasing levels of responsibility in the process. Throughout the entire period, participants also take supporting language and integration courses. And they are assisted by 'company sponsors' ('Unternehmenspaten'). The sponsors provide support especially during participants' initial phases - as they familiarize themselves with their new working environments - and often for an additional period as well.

All three of the companies involved have already hired their first course participants. During the pilot phase, Henkel, Deutsche Post DHL Group and Deutsche Telekom intend to fill up to 100 jobs nationwide via the program. The companies also plan to search for qualified candidates for the qualification program, working in cooperation with the Federal Employment Agency (BA).

Throughout the entire pilot-project period, the participating companies plan to record relevant findings and 'best-practice' examples, so that - ideally - the project will lead to the development of a model for other companies active in the German job market. The companies are cooperating closely in these aspects of the project.

With their efforts on behalf of refugees, the three companies are hoping to raise awareness about large corporations' social responsibility relative to the German job market. Notably, the companies have previously created successful internship programs, training positions, grants and jobs with a view to facilitating workplace entry for refugees who arrive with vocational qualifications.

Deutsche Post DHL Group

'At Deutsche Post DHL Group, we have already gained considerable experience in helping refugees integrate into the job market: to date, we have sponsored 364 internships and hired 136 persons with refugee backgrounds. We are convinced that these efforts are extremely worthwhile,' affirmed Melanie Kreis, Member of the Board for Human Resources and CFO.

Deutsche Telekom

'Integration into the job market and language development are the focal points of our commitment,' said Christian P. Illek, Chief Human Resources Officer at Deutsche Telekom. 'With this program, we aim to give refugees professional prospects that will significantly improve their opportunities in the German job market. The exchange of information among the companies involved in the project gives us all the opportunity to improve our own integration measures by learning from one another.'

Henkel

'We all have a responsibility for helping those people who have fled to Germany to integrate into our society and our economy,' said Kathrin Menges, Executive Vice President Human Resources at Henkel. 'With this joint initiative, we want to create new prospects specifically for people who do not have recognized vocational qualifications, and help them to access the job market more easily.'