Study Visit to Germany Erfurt, 14-18/06/2006 1.1 Objectives / Programme / Participants List This visit was the second one of the transnational partnership PASSI Prepare Asylum Seekers and Society for Integration, funded by EQUAL II 1. The visit was hosted by the Development Partnership (DP) Employment and Education International, co-ordinated by the DGB-Bildungswerk Thueringen e.v. (Germany). It was attended by a delegation of 5 people: 2 from Malta and 3 from Greece. The visit lasted 4,5 days: 2,5 working days and 2 travelling days (programme find attached). The objectives for the visit set out were: To get more familiar with the partners and their working plan; To compare models of vocational training and professional orientation for asylum seekers aiming at their integration in the community or at keeping their emploability To transfer knowledge, working methods and good practices among participants of the national DP s who are working in different fields of the education process; To discuss the development and the distribution of models of vocational training (examples/experiences from all the countries that participate in the study visit) and methods of promoting the employment of the asylum seekers. 1 Programme funded by the European Social Fund and National funds, from each EU country.
List of Participants DP Integration of Asylum Seekers into Maltese Society : Isabelle Sicot Social worker and Job advisor Stephanie Muscat Social worker DP Aktinergia Greece: Gina Antonyi Job advisor Helen Giannaki Language teacher Rodanthi Sentouka Social worker DP Employment and Education International Germany: (in different and not all parts of the programme!) Berufsfortbildungswerk (bfw): Andrea Arnold Language teacher Andreas Geisler Computer teacher Gudrun Hennig Language teacher Regine Kästner Language teacher Annett Roswora Job advisor Christiane Götze Job advisor DGB-Bildungswerk Thüringen e.v.: Frank Lipschik Public relations Melanie Pohner Transnational co-ordinator Jürgen Neubert National co-ordinator Diakonisches Werk Schwabach: Christa Höfler Teacher and Job advisor Gisela Neuner Teacher Handycraft Chamber: Hans-Dieter Rehbein Project manager Gunda Könitzer Job advisor Internationaler Bund (IB): Lyalyusya Rukaber Language teacher Helgard Gaube Social worker 1.2 General Remarks The study visit was well prepared and organised, including a variety of visits. The participants were given the opportunity to observe representative samples of different training activities. All the presentations were made realistically with no attempt to present an ideal situation. Opportunities to discuss with asylum seekers and migrants were given throughout the programme. Useful background information about the host country was given in the preparation phase. There was a lack of time at the end of the programme to share common experience in specific issues and to make conclusions. Erfurt was a very beautiful place to visit and the host partners made everything possible to make our visit enjoyable. There was a great balance between discussions, visits and meeting with participants and professionals from diverse branches. 2
1.3 Expectations DP Greece To compare the Greek situation with similar situations in EU member states; To examine the possibilities of exchanging good practices and ideas; To be informed about: 1. The framework (legal, social, economic) related to the access of the asylum seekers to the labour market 2. The educational programmes and vocational training courses provided in each country for the asylum seekers 3. The difficulties that the asylum seekers face in accessing the labour market and the role of the services assisting them in this procedure 4. The specific services offered to the asylum seekers, including counselling, job profiling, job orientation, as well as connection with potential employers; 5. The other services offered to the asylum seekers such as health care, psycho-social and legal support, which are indirectly connected with the integration into the labour market; To talk with AS in Germany; To identify resolution strategies to problems concerning working with asylum seekers; To study the methods used for the integration of the AS into the labour market and for empowering them; To analyse the strategies adopted in Germany which effect the access of asylum seekers to vocational training system and employment DP Malta How the projects are doing in the different countries. Offered possibilities reg. language and vocational training (are the offers integrate in the normal system? Are the AS cut off to the rest of the society?) Realistic possibility of employment reg. the unemployment situation and reg. the Foreigner law for work permit, etc.? Daily life of the AS and migrants in the different country (confrontation with racism and discrimination, acceptance) The asylum procedure in other EU-countries. 3
1.4 Short Comings DP Greece Organisation: 1. Not all of the participants had adequate knowledge of English, which made interpreting 2. necessary throughout the seminar; 3. The exchange of experience could have been enriched by the participation of all countries participating in the project. Context: 1. Insufficient time for discussion and possible suggestions at the end of the programme; DP Malta Organisation: 1. Due to the impossibility for Italy and Portugal to take part to this study visit the exchanges were limited as information was shared only between 3 countries instead 5. Context: 1. Since the focus of this study visit was the existing forms of vocational training in Germany there was very limited time for the guest to present their project and for discussion about Report: There was no guidelines on how to fill in the requested form. 4
1.5 Reflection on the Benefits of the Visit to: AS PASSI Third parties DP Greece AS Indirect benefits: Improvement of the quality of the counselling services provided to the asylum seekers The DP Greece transferred to asylum seekers living in Greece information about the conditions and job opportunities for asylum seekers in other countries Good practices: The strong bond between the technical vocational training system and the needs of the labour market in Germany Job orientation in Germany includes experience of different kinds of initial technical vocational training in order to help participants in the choice of the suitable occupation Asylum seekers participating in language courses are given the opportunity to form regulations and context in the frame of the educational process High-quality infrastructure for vocational training in Germany In the frame of vocational training programs emphasis is given in company training. Bad practices: The language courses in Germany consists mixed groups of both migrants and asylum seekers, meaning people with different background, problems, needs and rights; There are no vocational training programmes exclusively for asylum seekers in Germany (asylum seekers attend together with German students) 2 PASSI Direct benefits: To gather information and to exchange experience with partners who are operating in a different context/country; To get ideas on how to improve the quality of the vocational training for asylum seekers in Greece; Third Parties: Dissemination of information about good practices to the local community and Authorities in order to organise and implement a more effective asylum policy Development of new methods to approach the potential employers for asylum seekers focusing on matching their special skills with the needs of the labour market DP Malta Many detailed information about the German project and their project partners. Info about the Greek project. Detailed info about the German and Greek Foreigner law for AS and migrants and asylum procedure as well. Detailed info about the labour market. Detailed info about the German vocational school system. Info about the daily difficulties met by AS and migrants as job seekers. Although the AS in the different countries live in different conditions within different legislation similar difficulties have been met by the professionals providing the training in questions such as motivation, reliability, punctuality, homogeneity, different languages levels, high number of applications, ethnologic conflicts, lack of future perspectives, etc. Development of a new and more global vision of the project as an EU-project and a better understanding about the projects dimensions/aims. Transfer of new ideas and methods reg. dealing with conflicts, vocational profiling of the participants, collaboration with training centers, etc. 2 Remark from the hosted country(melanie Pohner): This concept is exactly the idea of our project! We do not intend to provide course especially for AS or Jewish migrants, but we want to mix these two groups and we also want to integrate them into German classes! This is the first step of integration for us! It is very interesting to read that our Greek colleagues identify this as a bad practice because we think that our concept is working quite well! 5
Identified by both DPs The study visits help the professionals to get familiar of other EU Projects. To get information and to exchange experiences with partners who are operating in a different country. The reality that although the AS in the different countries live in different conditions within different legislation similar difficulties have been met by the professionals. 2. Comparison Theme Germany (by DP Aktinergia ) Greece (by DP Aktinergia ) Language training (content and methodology) Content Language skills Life skills and orientation Introduction to the use of computers Methodology Lessons on a daily basis Courses duration: 3-6 months Cultural and educative events Supportive teaching Field trips Content Language skills/ communication skills Life skills and orientation Elements of culture, geography, history, society, mathematics, etc. Methodology Lessons on a regular basis (usually daily) Courses duration: depends on the program Use of computers in the teaching process Cultural and educative events Active participation is encouraged Supportive teaching is provided Field trips After passing exams, AS can acquire formal certification for knowledge of the Greek language from the Centre of Greek Language (KEG) or the University Vocational orientation (content and methodology) Content Individual approach depending on knowledge, skills and experience of the asylum seekers Theoretical orientation Practical orientation Content Individual approach depending on knowledge, skills, experience of the asylum seeker Theoretical orientation Professional orientation is obligatory within the vocational training programs Methodology Theoretical orientation: counselling services, guidance concerning job profiling, visits in companies, selfpresentation, etc. Practical orientation: opportunity to participate in various vocational workshops (in a circle) in order to decide which profession suits them most (This is only provided for the youngsters). 6 Methodology counselling services, guidance concerning job profiling, visits in companies, selfpresentation, skills audit, etc.
Vocational training (Content and methodology) Content Vocational training for the youngsters is mainly focused on handicraft modules and can last to 6 months. Methodology Vocational training is taking place in high quality and well-organised vocational workshops Dual vocational training system as idea is followed: vocational training in workshops and in-company practice Work permit is required for incompany practise when it dues longer than 6 month, which formally excludes the asylum seekers for longer job experiences. There are different and various types of vocational training carried out by different bodies (Handicraft Chamber and other vocational training centers) Content Vocational training concerns both theoretical and practical courses and lasts usually 3-6 months Methodology Vocational training is provided by bodies especially authorised by the State for this purpose that function according to official standards Vocational training takes place mainly in class including in-company training Asylum seekers have to register into the Manpower Organisation in order to have access to vocational training. There are various types of vocational training carried out by different bodies Asylum seekers are subsidized when participating in vocational training programs Teachers has to be certified by the National Center of Certification in order to teach in vocational training programs Social support (Content and methodology) Legal support (Content and methodology) Asylum seekers have the obligation to register in accommodation centres or the asylum procedure will not be carried out. Basic needs are covered by social security benefits Counselling services are provided The German Council for Refugees provides social support NGOs provide social support for vulnerable groups Legal support and counselling is provided by NGOs The access of the asylum seekers to legal support differs from one region to another in Germany because it depends on the support structure of the NGOs which is better advanced in Western Germany. Asylum seekers have the choice of staying in accommodation centres or in hotels, in apartments, etc For the asylum seekers hosted in the accommodation centres, basic needs are fully covered Every asylum seeker has access to counselling services and support Social support is provided to the asylum seekers by the Greek Council for Refugees and the social services of various NGOs Legal support and counselling is provided by various NGOs The asylum seekers have free access to legal support and counselling condi- Other tions As soon as the asylum seeker reaches Germany he/she is taken to stay in a first reception facility and then the asylum seekers are individually distributed (according to a proportionate system) to a certain federal district to stay in an accommodation centre or in apartments. A S stay in accommodation centres voluntarily. 7 The right to apply for work permit is given as soon as the AS has obtained the the special document of an alien who has requested the status of refugee AS have the same obligations and rights on the
labour market as every Greek citizen. The asylum seekers do not have the right to move more that 20 km away from their residence. If they want to leave their residential area they can apply for permission which is not necessarily granted. They wait until the final answer to their application for an average period of 6 years. Meanwhile, they do not have the right to work for the first year and have no access to any kind of training (except for minors). After one year, asylum seekers have the right to apply for a work permit for a concrete job position, which they can obtain only if there is no German/EU citizen applying for the same job position. If they fail to get the job, they can apply for a new job position. Asylum Seekers are also excluded from vocational training and education, they have only access to the regular school system. The EQUAL project has offered the chance to the asylum seekers to receive language and vocational training courses. However, since a certificate is absolutely necessary in most applications for getting a job in Germany, the asylum seekers are excluded from the labour market opportunities. As an average 2% of the asylum seekers get finally a positive answer to their application. There are programmes organised by Vocational Centres and NGOs exclusively for AS (language or vocational courses). AS have the right to health care in public hospitals, Have access to public education system The examination of the asylum application takes normally more than 3 years The percentage of the refuge recognition is extremely low. Freedom of movement from region to region in Greece, on the condition that the change of address is stated to the police. A lot of bureaucracy concerning their documents and the everyday access to public services. Lack of cooperation among the public services and very limited information about the asylum seekers status. Empowerment of AS It is a major concern to motivate asylum seekers to participate actively in the integration process. However, the restrictive asylum system in Germany diminishes any possible motives to integrate into the society. Asylum Seekers are empowered to participate in the public relations work in the project (inform about their situation etc.) Educational and vocational courses are considered to be a very positive step towards the empowerment of asylum seekers in Germany. The vocational training programmes include activities for the empowerment of AS such as orientation lessons, life skills development, etc. AS have the right to form their own associations and representative bodies. 8
Theme Germany (by DP Integration of Asylum Seekers into Maltese Society ) 3 different part-projects for AS and Jewish migrants in 2 different localities provided by 3 different training centers, coordinated by the German Trade Union (educational services): in Erfurt (Thuringia) 1 for young people (till 24 years old) 1 for adults, in Schwachbach (Bavaria) for participants at any age. Greece (by DP Integration of Asylum Seekers into Maltese Society ) Language training Vocational orientation The project is divided in part projects regarding the age and the different needs. Adults group divided in small classes in order to offer more appropriate lessons to the different languages levels. 5 days/week training with 30 to 35 hrs from 3 to 6 months. Provided at training centers with the possibility of trying - sessions in different professional areas. Supported by profiling sessions with Social Workers or trainers. Enforced by life skills and CV-writing courses as well. The language training continues besides. Duration from 2 to 3 months. languages course for AS with good Greek acknowledge as qualifications training for interpreter (9months/800hrs). 1 class with all age, Greek levels, nationality, etc. mixed. 3x weekly during 3 months with possibility of prolongation. Counselling services reg. labour market. Guidance through Social Workers. Vocational training Provided at training centers with handy craft professionals. Provided in line of intership In order to integrate and prepare AS and migrants in the usual school system or labour market. Duration 2 months to 6 months as full time occupation. Certificate about (additional) qualifications. Practice as translators in accommodation centers for AS. Laboratory for vocational training in the center. Collaboration between centers and interested employers. Connecting between AS and employers. 9
Social support Intensive accompaniment for Youngster and their special needs Counselling in social, vocational, individual and law matters. Provided by social workers for youngster, by social workers or trainers as required for adults. Social workers are all the time available in the accommodation Centers. No particular social worker in line of the project available. Legal support 2 extern organisations (NGO), The Council for Refugees and Jewish Congregation, provide assistance to participants especially regarding securing employability. Other conditions: Delivery of work permit According the German law AS can apply for work permit earliest after 1 year. But at least it does not mean a real chance to get one as work permits are deliver for specific vacancies, which have to be found before the application. Due to the high unemployment rate in Germany and the obligation for employers to employ preferably a)german, b)eu- Citizen and c)other persons, AS and migrants don t have realistic chance finding a job. The movement restriction in an area of 20 km makes job seeking more difficult. This has a big impact of the motivation of the participants. As soon a migrant applies for asylum he is entitled for a work permit, which is not restricted to a particular employment. In Greece many job opportunities are not being occupied by Greek citizen. Therefore AS have no difficulty in finding a job. Unfortunately such jobs tend to be low paid. Empowerment of AS The Foreigner law and the unemployment situation in Germany is very discouraging for AS and migrants. As a result it is difficult to empower AS. The participants have a positive view of the training since it gives them the only possibility to get German lessons and knowledge about Germany and its society. The training for translators and the Greek labour market, offering real perspectives of employment, contributes positive on the process of empowerment of the AS. Through the better Greek knowledge the AS feel more confident and able to confront the situation of employment in Greece as a foreign country and the labour market. 10
3 Intercultural Practices Encountered Identified by DP Aktinergia The policy of integrating the Jewish immigrants into the German society. Organisation of intercultural training for Germans to raise awareness of the asylum seekers situation Identified by DP Integration of Asylum Seekers into Maltese Society Although the participant EU-countries are following the same aims in line of the project and working with very similar concepts, we realised during the study visit that at least very different methods and means are in use due to the different resources, law and system in each country and the need of a local adaptation. Identified by both DP s Nothing to add 11
4 Recommendations DP Aktinergia General: To realize the necessity of intercultural practices aiming at sensitization of European Communities about migrants and asylum seekers issues. To cultivate positive attitude towards people with different origin To design programs exclusively for asylum seekers To involve local authorities in the implementation of activities in favour of AS. To form a flexible educational system to meet the special needs of asylum seekers. To discover ways of identifying qualifications and to make use of existing knowledge and competence. PASSI: Evaluation of the report as a tool for exchanging information, good practices and introduction of new approaches, should be considered. DP Integration of Asylum Seekers into Maltese Society General: Study visits being the greatest opportunity for discussion, we recommend for the next meeting to plan more time for it. It could make possible to find practicable solutions to the problems being encountered within the project. PASSI: It could be interesting and useful to involve the media (TV, news papers, etc.) in line of study visits in order to increase awareness of the project and the situation of refugees. Comments: DP Integration of Asylum Seekers into Maltese Society The meeting with German AS and migrants having be a successful experience for both participants and professionals, the organisation of those meeting in each next study visit is recommendable. This contributes to form a clearer picture of the particular situation of migrants in each country. Feedback: DP Employment and Education International (Hosted Country Germany) very interesting input of the projects from Malta and Greece on the last day and sharing of experiences interesting discussion among the teachers and job advisors, but too short (lack of time) interpretation was disturbing but unfortunately necessary the permission to work in Greece was found very valuable for the asylum seekers to be motivated for learning and looking for a job difficult to include asylum seekers in the visit and make them speak (this was mentioned by the BFW with the older asylum seekers, not from the IB which organised the discussion round with the young asylum seekers and Jewish migrants). 12
Written by: Isabelle Sicot & Stephanie Muscat (DP Integration of Asylum Seekers into Maltese Society ) Gina Antonyi, Helen Giannaki & Rodanthi Sentouka (DP Aktinergia ) Melanie Pohner (DP Employment and Education International ) June/July 2006 Compiled by: George Sykoutris (DP AKTINERGIA) July 2006 13
Annex: Programme Thursday, 15 th June 9.00 10.00 10.00 11.30 Welcome and presentation round Short information about our project Employment and Education International Internationaler Bund: Language and integration course for young asylum seekers (Presentation and round with participants) 11.30 12.30 Travelling to the training center of the handy-craft chamber (HWK) 12.30 13.30 Lunch 13.30/14.00 16.00 HWK: Training courses in the HWK and the integration of the asylum seekers (presentation) 18.00 City tour by foot Visit of the training center (including the courses with our participants) 20.00 Dinner 14
Friday, 16 th June 9.30 11.30 DGB-Bildungswerk: More information about our project Employment and Education International (Presentation) Diakonie Schwabach: Language and vocational training for adult asylum seekers (Presentation) 11.30 12.30 Berufsfortbildungswerk: Language and vocational training for adult asylum seekers (Presentation) 12.30 13.30 Lunch 13.30 14.30 14.30 15.30 Berufsfortbildungswerk: Visit of a training on the job place Berufsfortbildungswerk / IAD: Visit of a vocational training center 20.00 Dinner Saturday, 17 th of June 9.00 9.30 9.30 13.00 (with coffee break) Greece and Malta: Short presentation of the projects DGB-Bildungswerk: Discussion round among teachers, job advisors and social workers about challenges in the language and vocational training for asylum seekers 13.00 End 15