Development partnership for asylum seekers and refugees in Southern Germany (SEPA)

Transcription

1 Development partnership for asylum seekers and refugees in Southern Germany (SEPA) Gefördert durch das Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales und den Europäischen Sozialfonds

2 Inhalt EDITORIAL 3 Co-ordination 4 SUB-PROJECTS IN AUGSBURG 5 QuIF Training and integration measures for refugees 6 Integration through language 7 HaGiFlü Basic technical training for refugees 8 SUB-PROJECTS IN BERLIN 9 Supporting returnees in setting up a business 10 SUB-PROJECTS IN MUNICH 11 Profiling for refugees (ProFi) 12 Support agency for refugee minors 13 Vocational training 14 Refugee conversations 15 SUB-PROJECTS IN SAARLAND 16 Psychological support (STEPS) 17 German language courses 18 Out-of-school training for adolescent refugees 19 Vocational training 20 Vocational training for women enrichment through diversity 21

3 Editorial Dear Reader, from 1st July, 2005 until 31st December, 2007, new approaches can be tested in the SEPA subprojects in the EQUAL II Programme in terms of advice and guidance, foreign language acquisition, school qualifications and vocational training as well as guidance and support for returnees to their native countries. EQUAL, in its attempt to combat discrimination encountered while accessing the labour market, is the first European support programme that addresses directly those individuals who have sought asylum in the countries of the European Union. In Germany during the first phase of EQUAL from 2002 until summer 2005, eight regional networks, so-called development partnerships, tried to improve conditions for asylum seekers and tolerated refugees with regard to training and labour market access. While innovative approaches for guidance and training schemes were encouraging, the progress made in labour market access, as far as I am concerned, was minimal. This had less to do with the willingness and the abilities of those affected, but rather with the political will of the German Parliament which particularly restricts, as do many other European governments, labour market access while focussing on a policy of exclusion. In a European perspective, Spain, following the change in government, enforced a more positive policy for asylum seekers. The EU initiative can be placed between the German and the Spanish positions, i.e. the political goals of the EU, with regard to labour market access for asylum seekers, go far beyond those of many national governments, in particular those of Germany. In spite of these discrepancies between German official policy and that of the EU, SEPA in EQUAL II will continue its effort, in the second phase, to improve the schooling and vocational training for asylum seekers and tolerated refugees as well as their access to the labour market. The development partnership has emerged from being a network strongly linked to the Saarland region to become a sectoral development partnership in matters concerning asylum which encompasses the two Federal States of Bavaria and Saarland in three locations (Augsburg, Munich and Saarland) as well as a benefit recipient and a sub-project in Berlin. This first issue of the newsletter focuses on presenting the sub-projects or the sub-divisions in the development partnership SEPA in EQUAL II. Similar to SEPA I, forthcoming newsletters will appear at irregular intervals and report on the work in the sub-projects at regional, national and transnational levels. Hermann Schönmeier Co-ordinator SEPA in EQUAL II September 2005 IMPRINT Publisher: AGEF Saar Am Markt, Zeile 6 D Saarbrücken-Dudweiler fon +49 (0) fax +49 (0) h.schoenmeier@agef-saar.de Editor: Dr. H. Schönmeier Internet:

4 Objectives At the three main regional locations in Augsburg, Munich and Saarland, it is mostly registered associations and welfare societies who work together. This type of network operates predominantly on a consensus basis and not so much on a strong decision-making hierarchy. For this reason, the co-ordinator will try to stringently apply a logical procedure in decision-making processes based on subject matter and tasks while adhering to the principle of consensus. National co-ordination Therefore, the working programme will be controlled, on the one hand, by the working schedule for the implementation of the training measures and on the other hand, by the working structure in the product groups. Target Control Meeting Offers The co-ordinator will have to establish a trustful working relationship among all regional sub-divisions in order to develop a corporate identity for the development partnership. The sub-projects in Bavaria and Saarland work at the same level. The co-ordinator is to support this process and to base his work on the joint tasks. Because of the long distance between the regional locations, monthly working and co-ordination meetings for all sub-project partners are not possible due to the time and money involved. Sub-project executing organisations, network executing organisations and the project co-ordinating body will agree jointly on the working programme. The internet working, exchange and presentation forum will be conducive to this process, as well as a monitoring system which, unlike the Mephisto data base, provides up-to-date information on measures, executing agencies and participants. The entire project implementation process will be controlled by the time schedule, personnel and capacity data for the training measures as well as the time schedules and work plans for product creation and the carrying out of cross-sectional tasks. The following product groups (PG) have been planned: PG1 Profiling as an instrument for choice and empowerment PG2 Language PG4 Guidance and support for returnees PG5 Psychological and social-pedagogic support in learning processes A quarterly newsletter is to support the corporate identity process in addition to the occasional meetings, co-operation in cyberspace and self-presentation on the website. Arbeitsgruppe Entwicklung und Fachkräfte ggmbh, Contact: Dr. Hermann W. Schönmeier, Am Markt, Zeile 6, Saarbrücken, Tel.: +49 (0)681/ , Fax: +49 (0)681/ , h.schoenmeier@agef-saar.de

5 Sub-projects in Augsburg Gefördert durch das Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales und den Europäischen Sozialfonds

6 QuIF Training and integration measures for refugees QuIF is a joint project implemented by Tür an Tür ( Door-to-Door ), Integration durch Sprache e.v. ( Integration through language ) and the Handwerkskammer für Schwaben ( Chamber of Trade for Swabia ). The project focuses on the real living conditions of refugees and enables them to obtain, at an early stage, a language and vocational training qualification via a multi-stage course system. This increases their employment and training opportunities in both their native country and Germany. Target group Refugees in on-going asylum procedure Refugees with tolerance status Refugees with right of residence in Germany Refugees who re-apply for asylum Former war refugees and civil war refugees Quota-controlled Jewish refugees Christmas party Course offers: The project offers two courses of 15 months duration for 30 participants respectively. The courses are divided into three modules: Module 1: Priority language acquisition (elementary stage), social and professional orientation. Skills analysis. 6 months Module 2: Follow-up German course, supplemented by instruction in special subjects, social and professional orientation; application training, extended analysis of skills; computer course. 3 months Tür an Tür is responsible for organising and co-ordinating the project as well as for the social-pedagogical support of the participants. In teaching units and individual guidance sessions, subjects relating to job orientation (curriculum vitae, application training) will be dealt with. At the end of the course, help will be given to participants in their search for practical training schemes or jobs. During the course Tür an Tür conducts, with the participants, a skills analysis in the form of individual coaching. This can implement an empowerment process which is conducive to finding employment. Module 3: Vocational training, in the first part basic technical training (Ha-GlFlü). In the second part, training for the hotel and restaurant trade (HoGa). 6 months Total duration: 2.5 years ( to ) Furthermore, a six months training course in the hotel and restaurant trade will be offered to some of the participants. Members of staff help participants with homework and communication exercises on a voluntary basis. Tür an Tür has been engaged in refugee work for 12 years. Various projects focus on advice and guidance, training and integration measures for refugees. Tür an Tür - Integrationsprojekte ggmbh, Contact: Thomas Wilhelm, Schießgrabenstrasse 14, Augsburg, Tel.: +49 (0)821 / , Fax: +49 (0)821/ , thomas.wilhelm@tuerantuer.de

7 Integration durch Sprache in EQUAL II Integration through language German language courses have an important interface function in the integration process. Besides pure language teaching, the following can also take place: orientation and integration topics, imparting regional information, strengthening motivation, intercultural conflict training, helping to deal with learning difficulties for students whose education has often been interrupted and in particular social-paedagogic supervision and guidance in the integration process. At the end of the QuIF course, students should be able to use language as a means of communication, adapted correctly to situation and partner. A particular objective of this sub-project Integration through language is to co-ordinate the teaching process to address the special refugee-specific features while working out innovative concepts for participant-oriented bilingual teaching methods (results from EQUAL I can be used as a basis). These should be collected in a material tool and made available to future projects. After certification Due to the unfavourable conditions among asylum seekers, a deep-rooted language pattern often exists, which stems from a reduced mixed language arising out of necessity. Overcoming this stage is very difficult particulary for students who lack practice. This is where Integration through language focuses, using individually developed learning material which can also be included in the training of volutary helpers. Within the framework of the QuIF course, training for participants takes place in three modules.the sub-project Integration through language is responsible for the concept and implementation of language teaching. This offer includes 600 teaching units for German, divided into three modules in normal or flat progression for 30 participants in two groups: 1. Module I: 6 months, language course, level A1 and A2 in accordance with the European Reference Framework 2. Module II: 3 months, language course (B1), technical language (EDP, trades and handicrafts, hotel and restaurant trade), preparation for labour market integration, teaching of special subjects (mathematics, book-keeping etc.). 3. Module III: practical training, practising the acquired skills. 4. Extra-curriculum offers for participants (supervision of homework, optional subjects, exercises in communication etc.) so as they can develop their own learning process and continue to learn on their own. Integration durch Sprache e.v., Contact: Sabine Steinacher, Schaezlerstrasse 8, Augsburg, Tel.: +49 (0)821/314905, Fax: +49 (0)821/314910, adk-sprachinstitut@arcor.de

8 HaGiFlü - Basic technical training for refugees Project Objectives Asylum seekers and refugees often have a diversity of technical skills and knowledge which is not recognised or certifi ed in Germany. The strategy of this sub-project is to (further) teach participants, selected from the previous language and integration courses, various technical skills in course modules with the aim of fi nding them work as caretakers or janitors or of improving their chances of re-integration once they return to their native countries. Computer course participants In the sub-project Basic technical training for refugees, participants are to be taught the technical skills of various trades in course modules as well as additional basic computer skills needed not only for employment in the trades and crafts sector but also in many other areas. All other participants in the Augsburg training measures (QuIF and IdS) are to take part in this computer course. The structure of the individual technical training modules is such that the individual skills of people returning to their native countries can be used and that recognised refugees, on the whole, can receive training for the services sector, in particular as caretakers or janitors. The essential preceding measures (individual skills analysis for the refugees, intensive language training, general job preparation with integrated computer course) are implemented by the subprojects QuIF and IdS. Subsequently, the 15 selected participants will pass through the individual technical training modules over a period of six months where they will be instructed in both theory and practice. During this time, their knowledge and skills will be enhanced by practical training schemes in various companies. At the beginning of the project, an exact training profi le was developed based on surveys among companies who provide property management services (caretakers, janitors) and integrated into self-contained modules geared towards the target groups. A total of 60 participants are taking part in the training measures. Handwerkskammer für Schwaben, BTZ Berufsbildungs- und Technologiezentrum, Contact: Egon Herzig, Siebentischstr. 58, Augsburg, Tel.: +49 (0)821/ , eherzig@hwk-schwaben.de

9 Sub-projects in Berlin Gefördert durch das Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales und den Europäischen Sozialfonds

10 For various reasons, asylum seekers in Germany have no permanent residence status. Their chances of integration into the labour market are limited. Therefore for this group of people, voluntary return or return to avoid deportation is an important alternative as far as their decisions in life are concerned. In this context, particular importance is given to securing a livelihood financially. Setting up a business is a suitable alternative in many cases. Supporting returnees in setting up a business This sub-project tries to assess with potential returnees,the extent to which starting a business would be a meaningful option for the individual in question and what can be done in Germany to help an idea to materialise. Seminar for business starters From among the asylum seekers and refugees seeking advice in the sub-projects, those interested in starting a business in their native country can apply to take part in a workshop for business starters. The following issues are dealt with: 1) If I return to my native country, what economic and security aspects do I have to consider? 2) What job opportunities do I have if I return? Is self-employment a better alternative for me than being employed? What skills and job experience do I have? 3) Do my skills and knowledge, my personal working profile meet the requirements for starting a business? 4) What business ideas could I pursue, if I return? How can I test the feasibility of my idea? 5) What business, technical and other kind of know-how is needed to put my idea into practice? What could I set about doing in Germany to achieve this? 6) How can I finance starting a business in my native country and preparation in Germany? 7) Are there funding possibilities for returnees who start a business? 8) How can I establish contact with people and institutions in my native country? 9) What form of guidance can the sub-project Supporting returnees in setting up a business offer me after the workshop? Subsequently, plans of action will be drawn up by those willing to return and start a buisness and by those working in the sub-project. CDs/DVDs, specific to the country in question, will be developed to demonstrate the range of possible business start-ups and the funding possibilities for returnees using two specific countries (Afghanistan, Iraq). These materials should preferably be used in the workshop for business starters but can also be shown in the guidance sessions in the sub-project and in public relations work. Arbeitsgruppe Entwicklung und Fachkräfte ggmbh, Contact: Dr. Karin Lutze Königswinterstr. 1, Berlin, Tel.: +49 (0)30/ , Fax: +49 (0)30/ , info@agef.de

11 Sub-projects in Munich Gefördert durch das Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales und den Europäischen Sozialfonds

12 Profiling for refugees (ProFi) Analyses of participants skills and empowerment of participants. Further development of the concept for the tool analysis skills for the target group in question. Public relations work: strategic partners relevant for refugees at municipal level, (fl yers, articles, committee participation, letters). Mainstreaming: dissemination and implementation of results: development partnerships, local governments, strategic partners, including certifi cates for the skills acquired. The Amt für Wohnen und Migration ( State Offi ce for Housing and Migration ) in Munich comes under the Sozialreferat ( Offi ce for Social Services ). With more than 900 members of staff, it is responsible for taking care of housing matters and offers for migrants. The four departments are allocated individual working priorities and aspects regarding refugees (currently , roughly one third of whom need public support) or migrants with and without a refugee background, with the aim of supporting integration in Munich or the return of refugees to their native countries. These include the following: Taking care of refugees in emergency accommodation Economic aid Benefi ts according to the Social Security regulations for asylum seekers Job placement Integration assistance after immigration Help in returning to the native countries Intercultural work In recent years, the various specialised divisions in the department for Intercultural work and migration were able to make use of the structure of the State Offi ce with its connections and to gain experience in guidance and advisory activities in order to support refugees in matters regarding training and enhancement of skills. Since October 2002, refugees, who have varying prospects of obtaining residence rights, have been receiving guidance in issues concerning employment and education within a joint EU initiative. In this context, a useful instrument proved to be an interview procedure with a guide to defi ning existing skills, further training opportunities and/or certifi cation so as the individuals in question can be integrated into the Munich labour market or re-integrated into their native countries. Within the scope of EQUAL II, this experience is to be expanded and the current disadvantages encountered by this target group in accessing the labour market are to be reduced by: Improvement of profi ling as a target group instrument Empowerment via analysis and further development of skills Transfer to the T.E.S.A. partners in the development partnership SEPA in EQUAL II LH München Sozialreferat, Amt für Wohnen und Migration, Interkulturelle Arbeit und Migration, Contact: Katya C. Fortuné, Franziskanerstr. 8, München, Tel.: +49 (0)89/

13 Support agency for refugee minors Within the framework of T.E.S.A. Munich, the support agency for refugee minors is implementing measures which should lead to a school leaving certifi cate or improve the chances of job training or access to the labour market. An indispensible requirement for participating sucessfully in the labour market is to have access to the (German) language. In this respect, two stages in (language) teaching are planned and will be implemented by the support agency; fi rstly intensive preparation for the lower secondary school leaving certifi cate which includes an extended range of subjects and secondly additional job-oriented lessons parallel to practical vocational training or further training. Firstly the offers focus on the fi rst steps that should be taken, even during the selection procedure, to draw up the balance of skills desired for the future in order to further develop these effectively at an individual level. Further priority is given to in-house practical training in order to defi ne better an individual s preferences and skills. Constant social-paedagogic guidance and supervision during the implementation phase mean that the objectives of the leaning stages are examined, and if necessary, corrected to ensure that an informative training manual can be compiled for each participant. Therefore pupils, who would like to obtain a school leaving certifi cate or those, who came to us without any kind of leaving certifi cate, can complete the (successful or qualifying) lower secondary school leaving certifi - cate in this in-school long-term class while obtaining initial job orientation. A further offer in the project is the creation of a refugee-specifi c material tool which should help to make teaching refugees more easy for teachers and to improve this. Since no appropriate teaching materials are available and the specifi c nature of the clients deserves particular attention, there is the possibility of discussing these materials as well as special aspects of refugee-specifi c teaching processes in further training courses. Trägerkreis Minderjährige Flüchtlinge, Contact: Michael Stenger Fraunhoferstraße 6, München, Tel.: +49 (0)89/774077, info@schlau-net.de

14 Improving job and training opportunities in the native countries as well as in Germany. Training via theoretical and practical modules in subjects related to technical trades and commerce as well as in EDP. Job-related language skills Increasing the effectiveness of the training measures by theatrical forms of expression and role playing. Creating general legal conditions for accepting a job or training place at political level. Internal and external (HWK (Chamber of Trade) and IHK (Chamber of Industry and Commerce)) certification of the training modules. Vocational training Theoretical training modules in subjects related to commercial and technical trades with certification Practical training modules in subjects related to commercial and technical trades in the form of a training workshop with certification EDP training module with certification Subject-related German language module concomitant to the vocational training modules Training manual: written proof of the skills and knowledge acquired In-plant practical training: putting the new experiences, knowledge and skills to the test in the daily working routine of a company and examining employment ideas Application training: drawing up professional applications, support in the search for a job or training place and preparation for job interviews Theatre project: enhancing social and communication skills Social-pedagogical supervision and accompaniment: support in overcoming problems and in personal development Euro-Trainings-Centre ETC e.v., Contact: Frédéric Valli, Ariane Bartl Sonnenstr. 12, München, Tel.: +49 (0)89/ / 57

15 Coaching and empowerment Psycho-social stabilisation Measures concomitant to training (increasing the effectiveness of the further training measures) Evaluation of training and qualifications Refugee conversations Skills analysis Presentation of the work in theatrical displays Express Yourself! (foto: franz kimmel, [re spekt] 04) Theatrical forms of expression and role playing have become an integral part of the general pedagogicdidactic tools used in effective training and further education measures. However theatrical displays are not only a suitable means of consciously promoting abilities but also a means of recognising the specific requirements of an individual and of examining training measures. There are diverse possibilities for an individual to participate, physically and mentally, in a theatre project. Physical, mental, linguistic and educational deficiencies are no drawback but rather bring additional talents to light. In two seminars/workshops, in line with the school year, two productions are created, based on Bertolt Brecht s Refugee Conversations and target-oriented, in group work with refugees (maximum of 10 participants). These plays are presented at the end of the respective seminar. Refugee conversations starts at the same time as the other sub-projects (educational, training and further training measures). The development of the participants will be documented in the course of the theatrical work. The project manager or the drama teacher always works in close co-operation with the project or training management of the other sub-projects. The on-going communication should guarantee that the theatrical work is as effective as possible and skim off synergy effects. Skills analysis and re-analysis of skills takes place during the entire duration of the project in the workshops. In this respect, existing concepts for skills analysis are examined to determine their applicability while new possibilities of personal, educational and developmental analysis are developed. Dealing thematically with Brecht s Refugee Conversations helps individuals to reflect on their own situation, the problems in their lives and helps them to confront the German language, society and politics. STATION 2 e.v., Contact: Marcus Hank, Sonja Ganzenmüller Berg 6a, Dietramszell, Tel.: +49 (0)8176/999433, info@station2-ev.de

16 Sub-projects in Saarland Gefördert durch das Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales und den Europäischen Sozialfonds

17 Psychological support (STEPS) STEPS will apply a suitable selection procedure from which a recommendation for a SEPA training measure will result. Working together with the SEPA partners should guarantee the best possible success for participants. STEPS will accompany the participants in SEPA training measures at psychological level in order to confront any possible problem situations which could endanger the success of the measure. STEPS will fi nally document the supervisory process in order to highlight the empowerment process and to develop examples of good practice. The DRK-SEPA team Werner Morsch, Wolf B. Emminghaus Bahram Yazdanpanah, Katharina Pohl, Dunja Kullmann A stairway is made up of STEPS which lead forwards and upwards. However, climbing stairs involves considerable effort. STEPS implemented by the German Red Cross in SEPA also stands for Social-pedagogic Training, Help in decision-making and Psychological Stabilisation in mutual cooperation. Within the framework of STEPS, the German Red Cross offer the following in SEPA: Offers within the offers of training on the following subjects: How participants should deal with having too little or too much asked of them, and coping with stress Re-orientation for participants in planning their lives Re-orientation for participants in planning their careers Intercultural communication skills in working life The position of men and women in society Psychological guidance containing the following: Recognising one s own opportunities and limits Planning behaviour in the working environment Recognising external encouraging and inhibiting conditions Dealing with confl icts Dealing with endemic native values and German values Deutsches Rotes Kreuz Landesverband Saarland, Contact: Wolf B. Emminghaus Ostpreußenstraße 14, Lebach, Tel.: +49 (0)6881/51616, emminghausw@lv-saarland.drk.de

18 Caritasverband für die Diözese Trier e. V. in EQUAL II German Language Course Successful and effective German language course for adolescent and adult asylum seekers so that they: gain active language skills can communicate better in everyday life can successfully take up other SEPA offers of training can be encouraged to learn without assistance learn to be responsible for their actions Language course participants Determination of language standards Three-month intensive German language course for beginners and advanced students with 20 hours of lessons per week teaching of communicative, thematic and grammatical subject matter in accordance with the areas A1 and A2 of the Joint European Reference Framework basic vocabulary teaching teaching hearing, speaking, reading and writing skills teaching important expressions for communicating in everyday life School-like German language course for school pupils in general education and vocational training Provision of specific and innovative teaching material for the target group of asylum seekers Provision of working materials for self instruction Social-paedagogic supervision of the participants advice and guidance help with problems that could interfere with language course attendance individual supervision according to participants needs Caritasverband für die Diözese Trier e. V., Contact: Helmut Selzer, Ulla Berwian Pommernstr. 6, Lebach, Tel.: +49 (0)6881/ ,

19 Caritasverband für die Diözese Trier e. V. in EQUAL II Out-of-school training for adolescent refugees Out-of-school support for adolescent refugees from the State Reception Centre for Displaced Persons and Refugees, who are in general education or vocational training, so that they can meet the classroom requirements and obtain their school leaving certificates improve their school marks and knowledge of the German language can become better equipped to learn on their own and assume responsibility reflect on their social behaviour Measures to implement offers of assistance, in and out of school, for adolescent refugees beyond the SEPA initiative Pupils receiving assistance with their homework Out-of-school offers of tuition Assistance with homework on every school day Individual support in preparing for exams Coaching if necessary Working in learning groups Advice for pupils and their families in matters concerning school Information on the German school system Assistance in getting certificates recognised Working materials Self-learning motivation Learning through playing Self-control of success Social-pedagogic supervision Involving parents in the out-of-school support for their children Accompanying parents to parents nights and school appointments Keeping in contact with teachers Point of contact for adolescent refugees with personal problems which affect their school life Assistance in applying for jobs and in searching for a training position Motivation for and assistance in the development of prospects Caritasverband für die Diözese Trier e. V., Contact: Helmut Selzer, Pamela Fisch Pommernstr. 6, Lebach, Tel.: +49 (0)6881/ , kld@caritas-lebach.de

20 Teaching skills in various technical trades to facilitate career entry as an auxiliary worker in the native country as well as in Germany Teaching of basic and advanced computer skills Learning key requirements such as social skills, punctuality and reliability, ability to work in an intercultural team Introduction to the labour market via practical training Vocational training Team work in the wood workshop The training scheme is modular in structure. A certificate is awarded at the end of each module. Module: Wood Module: Joiner s Workshop Module: Building / Interior finishing / Painting / Wallpapering Module: Gardening / Landscaping and Floristics Module: Basic Computer Course Module: Advance Computer Course Practical training Woodworking by hand and by machine Construction of small pieces of furniture Inserting windows Construction of cabinet with storage shelf Forklift truck permit Building walls Painting and wallpapering walls Laying floors Botany Potting Garden design Forklift truck permit Windows XP basic course Word 2003 basic course Excel 2003 basic course Internet and programmes basic course Windows XP Word 2003 Excel 2003 Powerpoint Internet and programmes Elementary picture editing with Office Picture Manager General duration: 6 months Katholische Erwachsenenbildung ggmbh, Contact: Christa Löwenbrück Mottener Str. 111 a, Lebach, Tel.: +49 (0)6881/53446

21 Caritasverband für die Region Saar-Hochwald e.v. in EQUAL II Vocational training for women enrichment through diversity Teaching specialised language as well as job skills in nursing and caring for the elderly in order to facilitate labour market access in Germany or the native country Determining one s own nursing skills Empowerment and intercultural awareness of participants Developing an understanding of roles in families and in the workplace Integration of job skills for transcultural and comprehensive nursing in nursing services and companies offering practical training Classroom lessons There is an increasing demand for nursing staff who profit from a knowledge of nursing in other cultures and concern themselves with this subject matter. Linking social skills to the acquisition of specialised nursing skills can make female asylum seekers important mediators between the cultures. The target group consists of female asylum seekers of 18 years and over, who experience particular difficulty in accessing the labour market at a professional and cultural level in both Germany and their native countries. A total of 30 participants are involved in the part-time training scheme consisting of two courses, each lasting nine months. One course consists of three modules: Module Pre-professional support (3 months) comprises teaching of specialised language and practical skills in nursing and caring for the elderly in their homes, in home economics, in the I&K media, in healthcare administration and in first aid. Module Job integration (3 months) offers places for guest students and nursing documentation in a welfare centre Module In-plant practical training (3 months) puts the acquired skills to the test in the healthcare system. Even after completing individual modules, the female asylum seekers possess nursing skills which can be used on the native labour market in the healthcare system. The social pedagogues co-ordinate the modules and draw up the transcultural curriculum with the help of nursing and teaching experts. They support the female participants in organising child care and connect the participants, if necessary, to the offers of help of the Caritas Association. Caritasverband für die Region Saar-Hochwald e.v., Contact: Annemarie Rau, Gerd Thewes, Lisdorfer Str. 13, Saarlouis, Tel.: +49 (0)6831/ und +49 (0)683 / , info@caritas-saarlouis.de