“Today’s refugees are tomorrow’s valuable workers”

A topic that concerns Caritas Vorarlberg across all departments, because “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” (Nelson Mandela).

Education in the form of German courses is an important topic, especially in Caritas refugee aid.

For refugees, language acquisition is the basis and the key for any further qualification and integration – be it for children or adults. For asylum seekers, this educational path in Vorarlberg begins during the asylum procedure with a German course at Caritas. “Many asylum seekers* first have to learn the German or Latin alphabet in a literacy course, while others have already acquired basic knowledge of the German language in their country of origin and can, for example, start at language level A1,” says Michael Rünzler, Head of Caritas Vorarlberg responsible for Education in refugee aid. Therefore, any previous knowledge is checked first so that the participants can be classified at the correct level. The lessons then take place in small groups and are based on the curriculum of the Austrian Integration Fund, where the final exams are also taken.

Bernd Klisch, Head of Department at Caritas Refugee Aid, puts it in a nutshell: “Today’s refugees are tomorrow’s valuable workers! More than 3,700 people from the refugee countries of origin Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, etc. are currently employed in Vorarlberg. Refugees make a valuable contribution to society in Vorarlberg through their integration into the labor market. Especially in times of a shortage of skilled workers, we are dependent on immigration and, after overcoming the language barrier, we can use the diverse potential of the refugees. With the German courses offered by Caritas Refugee Aid, we are already laying an important foundation for successful integration during the asylum process.”

“German right from the start” is a major concern of the Vorarlberg state government in integration policy, which is why the German courses are funded with funds from the social fund. These educational measures are also supported by volunteers who give the refugees learning support and help with other language projects.

Are you interested in helping refugees as a German trainer?
Then please contact Andrea-Sophie Matt (personnel officer),
E [email protected] , T 05522 200-1057

You can also find information about this at:
https://www.caritas-vorarlberg.at/jobs-bildung/offene-stellen/6141452-deutschtrainerin-daf-im-fachbereich-fluechtlingshilfe/

Are you interested in volunteering with Caritas refugee aid?
Then please get in touch [email protected]

www.caritas-vorarlberg.at
vbg.youngcaritas.at