BMW Group to support 500 refugees with practical work programme

The BMW Group has undertaken a refugee initiative “Work Here!” to integrate 500 refugees within the social and professional structure of the Group. The nine-week practical work programme to help qualified refugees with social and professional integration is organised in conjunction with the Federal Employment Agency Munich and the Jobcenter Munich. The programme got underway on November 16. The project started out with 40 refugees at the Munich location and will be expanded to other BMW sites in 2016. The 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 Group locations. The Group has set out a goal for around 500 refugees to participate in practical work training and entry qualification.

BMW is the latest entrant in the list of German automakers to provide aid to refugees after Audi donated a million euros as emergency aid to refugees and Daimler started out with internships for 40 immigrants.

Training programme

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. 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.

 Milagros Caiña-Andree, member of the board of management of BMW AG, responsible for human resources said, “It is only natural for us to help integrate people who were forced to leave their home and come here. People from more than 100 different countries work together very successfully every day at the BMW Group in Germany alone. For us, integrating people from different cultures is something we do every day, and an important concern that we promote both inside and outside the company. The same applies to solid vocational and professional training, which is one of the cornerstones of our success. I am particularly happy that we are able to put several of our core competences to use to offer people better prospects.”  

Expansion of the programme

In early 2016, the programme will be expanded to other BMW plant sites and branches across Germany. By the end of 2016, the initiative will therefore have supported the social and professional integration of around 500 refugees in total.

Chairman of the general works council of BMW AG Manfred Schoch explained, “Cooperation and collegiality between different nationalities and cultures is a matter of course for our employees. I am delighted to see that helping others is also natural for many of them. I am proud that so many of our employees have committed themselves as mentors and, on top of their job, are helping create prospects for those who had none and who left their homes for that reason.”

 In addition to practical work training, the Group is also enabling refugees under the age of 25 to participate in a six-month programme to earn a vocational entry qualification (EQ). Starting in January 2016, the programme for commercial and technical apprenticeships will be expanded at the Munich location, and an additional trainer assigned. The number of places will also be increased at other BMW Group sites. EQ participants with the necessary technical and personal aptitude will then have the opportunity to apply for a vocational training course. The aim of the entry qualification is to provide the technical foundation necessary to qualify for an apprenticeship.

Dr Markus Schmitz, CEO, regional directorate Bavaria Federal Employment Agency (GE), confirmed, “It is important to integrate displaced people with previous professional experience who are likely to remain in the country into training and labour markets as quickly as possible. Many refugees arrive here without their diplomas and are unable to document their professional skills on paper. It is crucial that these people are able to demonstrate their skills in conditions that are as close to reality as possible. We believe that the combination of learning the language, skill assessment, qualification and all-round support is the key to success. All of these components come together in the “Work Here!” project. This approach may not create the specialists of tomorrow, but perhaps those of the near future. It is a long process that requires staying power.”

Anette Farrenkopf, CEO of the Jobcenter in Munich summed up, “Opportunities for refugees are being created by courageous employers willing to chart new territory. The “Work Here!” project is a tremendous opportunity for many refugees who are Jobcenter clients. They can gain professional experience, test themselves and receive a certificate for the professional skills they already have – which is a huge advantage when looking for a job. We hope that other employers follow the BMW Group’s example and open their doors to refugees.”