Culture, language, work: Understanding Germany in all its complexity is the aim of the BMW Group refugee initiative “WORK HERE!” The nine-week practical work programme to help qualified refugees with social and professional integration organised in conjunction with the Federal Employment Agency Munich and the Jobcenter Munich got underway on 16 November 2015.
The project started out with 40 refugees at the Munich location and will be expanded to other BMW sites in 2016. The BMW Group is also expanding its six-month programme of entry qualification for production mechanics. An additional 20 places in Munich will be offered to refugees under the age of 25 from January 2016, while the number of places will also be increased at other BMW Group locations. The goal is for around 500 refugees to participate in practical work training and entry qualification.
The BMW Group’s “WORK HERE!” training programme teaches skills that will give refugees better prospects in Germany and help them start a new life. The programme comprises two practice-based project phases: Throughout the three-week orientation phase and subsequent six-week practical training, participants are mentored by BMW Group employees. For up to six hours a day, refugees learn about work processes in different departments, including development, sales and marketing, human resources, finance, production and IT. This is supplemented by a daily language class and a specially-developed training programme to teach essential intercultural and social skills.
Participants are also provided with lunch and are trained according to their individual needs, such as attending computer courses. At the end of the nine weeks, each participant receives a certificate documenting the qualifications gained. In early 2016, the programme will be expanded to other BMW plant sites and branches across Germany. Four sessions per location per year are currently planned. By the end of 2016, the initiative will therefore have supported the social and professional integration of around 500 refugees in total.
