Job application workshops for refugees
Lufthansa Group volunteers support refugees in starting their careers in Germany.
Despite the massive impact of the Corona pandemic on the German labor market, the project “Integration of refugees in the job market” shows what solidarity and the engagement of volunteers and digital solutions can achieve.
The help alliance project aims to support refugees in gaining a foothold in the German labour market and thus integrating them fully into our society. Thanks to the great commitment of the two project leaders, Aurélie Schroth, Production Manager Middle East & Africa at Lufthansa Cargo and Anja Popp, Senior Manager Product, Speed and Service Offer at Lufthansa Cargo, job application workshops are held regularly in cooperation with the partner organization Jobs4Refugees. In these workshops, Lufthansa Group volunteers work together in tandem with a refugee on application documents such as motivation letters and curriculum vitae. In addition, the beneficiaries receive tips and tricks for applying for open positions directly in the workshop.
Due to the pandemic and the resulting isolation, there was a great need for action to continue supporting the refugees. All those involved demonstrated a high degree of flexibility and so the actually planned face-to-face workshops were quickly switched to a digital format. Since mid-2020, four workshops and a mentoring program of 2-3 hours each have been organized for the refugees, with more than 20 colleagues, including managers from the Lufthansa Group. The workshops have been a great success so far, with consistently positive feedback from the volunteers, the organization, and the refugees. After the first workshops, half of them have already found a follow-up position.
However, the workshops do not only open up new opportunities and perspectives for the refugees. The workshops were also a great opportunity for the volunteers to meet new people from different backgrounds, gain insights into their cultures and at the same time apply their expertise – a win-win situation.
Two volunteers report enthusiastically:
“I definitely liked the idea of j4r and the workshop because it not only helps refugees with their new start, but also creates an opportunity for meeting and exchange. For me it was very interesting to go through her CV with my tandem partner and learn something about her past in Eritrea. It may only be small steps in which you make progress, but the mutual interest and appreciation are in themselves a success.”
– Benjamin Fischer, First Officer A320 at Lufthansa Passenger Airlines
“Great event, very well organised and executed. A very nice opportunity to support someone with one’s expertise in the context of a ‘coaching’. You get a lot of honest appreciation for the support and can stay in touch beyond the actual coaching if you want.”
– Daniel Görl, Head of Production Middle East & Africa, Lufthansa Cargo
Where is the journey to go?
The 5th workshop is planned for July and two more by the end of the year – in the hope that these will take place in presence. Furthermore, starting next year, in addition to selective support in the individual workshops, there will also be the option of getting involved in a kind of “mentoring tandem”. This makes it possible to accompany the refugees on their way to a successful professional life in the long term and also to further promote their personal strengths and competences.
“We are very pleased that our project has been so well received in the LH Group! This shows all the more that we have great people on board at the LH Group who also like to think outside the box, get stuck in and make a difference! Keep it up and we look forward to active support!”
– Aurélie Schroth and Anja Popp, project coordinators
