Upskilling4Germany: Creating New Perspectives Through Qualification
With Upskilling4Germany, hub4africa supports well-trained skilled professionals, graduates and young professionals from Africa on their journey into the German labour market. Following successful qualification programmes in Gastronomy & Hospitality and Information Technology, the current programme focuses on Healthcare.
The participants already bring professional qualifications and practical experience from their home countries. Upskilling4Germany builds on this existing expertise: their knowledge and skills are specifically complemented and linked to the requirements of the German labour market.
Successful Qualification Programmes in Gastronomy & Hospitality and IT
The first two Upskilling4Germany programmes in Gastronomy & Hospitality and Information Technology have now been successfully completed. A total of 29 participants took part in the two programmes. 28 participants successfully completed the qualification on their first attempt; one additional participant successfully completed the programme after a retake.
A particular focus is placed on qualification in accordance with German standards. In both Gastronomy & Hospitality and IT, participants completed a partial qualification (Teilqualifikation – TQ). The TQs are based on the content and requirements of German vocational training occupations and specifically develop the skills that are relevant for working in the German labour market.
The aim is not to replace participants’ existing qualifications. Rather, the partial qualifications complement their existing qualifications and professional experience, creating a bridge between the knowledge and skills they already have and the requirements in Germany.
German as an Important Component
Language also plays a central role: All vocational training is delivered in German and complemented by accompanying German language courses. This enables participants not only to develop their professional skills, but also to strengthen their German language and professional communication skills at the same time.
First Successes and New Perspectives
The first successes are already visible: Participants from the completed programmes have gained concrete professional opportunities in Germany. Initial apprenticeship offers have been made, and graduates from the IT programme are already in Germany, where they are taking the next steps in their professional careers.
This demonstrates what Upskilling4Germany aims to achieve: combining existing education and professional experience with partial qualifications based on German standards, practical preparation and targeted German language support can open up new pathways into the German labour market.
Currently: 20 Participants in the Healthcare Programme
Following Hospitality and IT, the next qualification programme is already underway. The current Upskilling4Germany Healthcare Programme will run until mid-September. 20 participants from seven different African countries are currently preparing online for their professional careers in the German nursing sector.
They, too, already bring different qualifications and practical experience in nursing from their home countries. The programme builds on this existing expertise and provides additional knowledge and fundamental skills that are relevant for entering the nursing sector in Germany.
The programme focuses, among other things, on fundamentals of nursing care, hygiene, basic medical knowledge and important insights into the structures of the German healthcare system. It is based on the requirements and standards of nursing care in Germany and prepares participants specifically for supporting roles within the nursing sector.
Unlike the Gastronomy & Hospitality and IT programmes, the Healthcare Programme is not a partial qualification (TQ). There is currently no equivalent TQ pathway for nursing that can be compared with the TQs available in other occupational fields. The programme is therefore designed as a targeted online qualification based on the requirements and standards of nursing care in Germany, preparing participants for the next steps in their professional careers.
The Next Step Starts Now
The experience gained so far shows that targeted qualification can create new perspectives. The successful completions and first apprenticeship offers in Gastronomy & Hospitality and IT are an important sign of this progress.
At the same time, the work continues: With the current Healthcare Programme, we are supporting 20 participants from seven African countries on their journey and look forward to seeing the next steps in their development.
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