14.10.2024
International
VDI Supports Foreign Engineers Entering the Workforce
The Association of German Engineers (VDI) is actively involved in helping foreign engineers and engineering professionals enter the German job market through its mentoring program "VDI-Xpand."
In light of the ongoing skilled labor shortage, the program aims to address obstacles such as language barriers and difficulties entering the workforce. Sabine Becker, one of the mentors, speaks about the success of mentor-mentee pairings and the importance of close communication between professionals and mentors. The program's goal is to integrate skilled workers into the German job market for the long term.
Sabine Becker, an engineer specializing in supply technology, environmental scientist and vocational school teacher at the Neustadt an der Weinstraße Vocational School, says, "I want to reduce obstacles in the German job market for foreign engineers." She calls on policymakers and society to take action: "My wish is for an open exchange, especially with foreign engineers, to identify and tackle the challenges."
VDI-Xpand Project for Integrating Foreign Professionals
The VDI initiated the VDI-Xpand project to support skilled migrants in integrating into both the workforce and society. “We need qualified professionals. People are coming here and we must integrate them not only into the labor market but also into society,” says VDI labor market expert and project leader Ingo Rauhut. “With its regional structures, the VDI provides the ideal conditions for connecting engineers with others who share similar interests.”
At the heart of VDI-Xpand is a mentoring program, where a professionally experienced VDI member is paired with foreign engineers. The predominantly online-based initiative is supplemented by local networking events. The approach, funded through the nationwide "Integration through Qualification" (IQ) program, successfully launched as a pilot in North Rhine-Westphalia in 2024.
(Source: VDI News)
