What kinds of jobs are there? What might be the right fit for me, and how do I get there?
When people first arrive in Germany, much is unfamiliar and different from what they know in their home countries—the language, living conditions, and even the world of education and work. Just like young people without a refugee or immigrant background, they, too, ask themselves these questions.
Career guidance services can help answer these questions. However, young people and adults who are refugees need more than just traditional counseling. To address this, a support structure has been established to provide guidance on language acquisition and separate, individualized assistance (with government and school-related matters) to help them integrate into the workforce and, thereby, into society.
The following section is therefore intended to provide an overview of career reorientation and transition services for (young) new immigrants. Links are provided to more detailed information regarding support options and funding programs.
For information on career guidance and vocational training for young people transitioning from school to work, please visit the website of the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Health, and Equality of Saxony-Anhalt.
Career Guidance for People with Refugee and Migration Backgrounds (BOFplus) – Federal Ministry of Education
The Federal Ministry of Education’s “Career Guidance for People with Refugee and Migration Experience” (BOFplus) program is specifically designed to support young people with refugee and migration experience in their individual career guidance process. Here, refugee children and adolescents attending general education schools participate in the BMBF’s regular career orientation program. As part of BOFplus, they gain in-depth insights into apprenticeship trades in training workshops and companies. During the program, which lasts up to 26 weeks (up to 34 weeks on a part-time basis), they learn technical terminology and acquire initial specialized knowledge for their desired apprenticeship trade. In addition, they receive individualized support as needed. BOFplus is the successor program to the “Vocational Orientation for Immigrants” (BOF) program.
Vocational Orientation Program (BOP) – Federal Ministry of Education
The program for “Promoting Career Orientation in Inter-Company and Comparable Vocational Training Centers”—the Career Orientation Program for short—was launched in 2008 by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The Career Orientation Program (BOP) is aimed at seventh- and eighth-grade students in general education schools. First, they explore their strengths through a potential analysis; then, during workshop days, they try out various career fields. Through their participation in the BOP, many young people develop ideas about which career path they would like to pursue—and what kind of internship would be right for them. Newly arrived students—including refugees—participate in the Career Orientation Program with their classes and make up over five percent of the participants. The BOP is therefore—unlike the “Career Orientation for People with Refugee and Migration Experience” (BOFplus) program and the projects focused on educational pathways—not a special project developed specifically for this target group.
General Information on the Career Orientation Program
Career Orientation Measures (BOM) – Federal Employment Agency
Career orientation measures under Section 48 of SGB III represent an additional service offered by the Federal Employment Agency to provide in-depth, supplementary orientation alongside the school-based career orientation program and the regular guidance services provided by career counselors at schools and at the Career Information Center (BiZ).
Further information on career orientation measures
Career Counseling – Federal Employment Agency
The Employment Agency offers career counseling to young people and adults who are participating in or wish to participate in the workforce, and provides labor market counseling to employers. The nature and scope of the counseling depend on the specific needs of the individual seeking guidance. Accordingly, there is a legal right to receive information and counseling.
The counseling services are aimed at students of all school types, apprentices, college students, college graduates, and anyone seeking vocational training for the first time or looking to change career paths.
Further information on career counseling
REGIO AKTIV Saxony-Anhalt
REGIO AKTIV is a program initiated by the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Health, and Equality and is implemented with funding from the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). The program aims to support the integration of disadvantaged individuals into the labor market and to facilitate young people’s access to vocational training. In doing so, regional labor market projects are to be more closely aligned with local needs. The counties and independent cities are given greater flexibility to shape these projects. The program comprises ten funding areas, which are implemented with varying focuses across the regions, including the following:
- Vocational integration of individuals facing particular barriers to employment: “Active Inclusion” (AE)
- Support for single parents and families living together to help with social and labor market integration “Strengthening Families – Opening Up Prospects” (FAMICO)
- Ensuring the educational and employability of young people in need of support: “STABIL – Self-Discovery – Training – Guidance – Support – Initiative – Learning” (STABIL)
- Enhancing in-school and out-of-school career guidance through supervised workplace internships (PRAXIS BO)
- Competency Agencies (KA)
Further information on REGIO AKTIV and other funding areas
REGIO AKTIV is the successor program to RÜMSA—Regional Transition Management Saxony-Anhalt—of the Saxony-Anhalt Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Health, and Equality.
STABIL—Self-Discovery, Training, Guidance, Support, Initiative, Learning
STABIL is aimed at young people under the age of 25 who are in need of support; they have completed their compulsory education but do not hold a vocational qualification, are unemployed, and can no longer be reached through the support services offered by the Employment Agencies or basic income support providers. The goal of the program is to develop the participants’ educational and employability skills so that they can be integrated into vocational training (including through the state’s Assisted Training program), employment, or other suitable follow-up measures.
Further information on the STABIL funding program
Flexible Assisted Training (AsA flex)
The Assisted Training Flexible (AsA flex) project combines and consolidates the now-discontinued programs “Future Opportunity: Assisted Training (ZaA)” and “Training-Accompanying Support (abH).”
As part of assisted training, young people facing difficult circumstances and with significant support needs are assisted—through appropriate preparation and intensive socio-educational support—to successfully complete a standard apprenticeship. The legal basis for this is Section 130 of Book III of the Social Code.
Support is provided in a holistic and individualized manner by an educational provider, which serves as the central point of contact and resource for both the young person and the training company.
The project is funded by the European Social Fund and the State of Saxony-Anhalt and is implemented in cooperation with the Federal Employment Agency.
Further information on the “Flexible Assisted Training (AsA flex)” program
Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) Action Program “Arriving in Germany – Together We Support Integration”
In addition to nationwide career guidance services for young refugees, many local communities already offer regional programs. For example, the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) has published a report on its action program “Arriving in Germany – Together We Support Integration.” The report presents all projects carried out by the IHK regional offices.
Further information on the action program
“Wir zusammen” – Platform for Career Guidance and Preparation
The integration of young refugees into the labor market benefits not only the young refugees themselves but also the German economy. Many employers have already recognized this. The “Wir zusammen” platform is one example of this. The initiative, which now comprises 230 companies, lists both nationwide and local projects run by companies in Germany for refugees. One example is a four-month advanced course in career preparation for 20 young refugees each, offered by Bayer AG.
About the “Wir zusammen” platform
KAUSA Regional Office Saxony-Anhalt “ZuSA”
KAUSA supports small and medium-sized enterprises as well as young people with a migration background who are interested in vocational training on their path to a successful dual vocational training program. Both young people with a migration or refugee background who already live in Germany and young people from EU and non-EU countries who are interested in vocational training can take advantage of KAUSA’s services. Young people are integrated into dual vocational training through initial counseling and referral services. Companies are made aware of these target groups, encouraged to be more open to them, and advised on topics such as the Skilled Worker Immigration Act.
Information on the KAUSA Regional Office for Saxony-Anhalt “ZuSA”
Download the KAUSA brochure as a PDF
DABEI! Getting a Head Start in the Workforce Through Career Guidance, Counseling, Empowerment, and Inclusion
The DABEI project of the International Rescue Committee supports people with migration and refugee backgrounds in entering the labor market through training, coaching, and socio-educational support. It aims to break down barriers through individual and structural measures and make the regional job market more inclusive. To this end, the project also advises companies on finding and sustainably integrating workers, provides support with legal issues, and conducts diversity training upon request.