The Welcome Center Ulm/Oberschwaben is concerned about the situation and developments in Ukraine. We hope that the war will end soon and that many people will be able to flee to safety. The situation is getting worse every day and more and more people are arriving in Germany. The majority of refugees are women and children.
The Welcome Center is trying to provide as much support as possible and offers various modules for advice and integration for refugees from Ukraine.
The Welcome Center Ulm/Oberschwaben and the project “Integration through training – prospects for immigrants” are the first points of contact. The employees of both projects have in-depth knowledge and experience in working with people from all over the world and from different backgrounds and social conditions. The projects have been firmly anchored in the IHK Ulm region for years. Proven structures and good contacts with voluntary organizations, authorities and in various networks are used as a basis for further support measures.
People interested in working can contact the Welcome Center Ulm/Oberschwaben with any questions they may have about applying for a job, looking for a job or having their professional and academic qualifications recognized. This supports and increases opportunities for access to the regional labor market. It also provides information to companies that want to offer support to refugees. The Welcome Center serves as a guide for international skilled workers and students and also advises companies on international personnel. The Welcome Center also offers free events on all topics.
Thanks to the rapid internal networking and very good cooperation, all departments are informed about the opportunities for refugees from Ukraine and opportunities for companies and can provide information.
Further information for companies
The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS) answers frequently asked questions from refugees from Ukraine about work and social benefits on its website.
Recognize professional skills
At the beginning of April, the EU Commission published a recommendation on the recognition of qualifications of Ukrainian refugees. In it, the European Commission provides the authorities of the member states with guidelines and practical advice for the fair and flexible recognition of academic and professional qualifications of refugees from Ukraine. People fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine should be given rapid access to the EU labor market and, where possible, be able to work in jobs that correspond to their level of qualification.
The law on the “Determination of the Equivalence of Professional Qualifications” makes it easier for immigrants with a foreign professional qualification to pursue employment in Germany that corresponds to their qualification. The IHK organization has been actively involved in the recognition of foreign professional qualifications for years, both with the recognition advisors in all IHKs and the IHK FOSA as the central office for the recognition of foreign qualifications in IHK professions. Formal professional recognition is not necessary for employment in non-regulated professions, but it does improve matching with potential employers in the long term by creating transparency with regard to existing degrees and qualifications.
As a concrete contribution by the IHKs to the faster integration of Ukrainian refugees into the labour market, a new service was developed together with the project “Unternehmen Berufsanerkennung UBA” and with the involvement of the IHK FOSA: an initial consultation for Ukrainian refugees by the IHK recognition consultation. The aim is to determine in which IHK professions the Ukrainian refugees have qualifications and relevant professional experience. The result of the initial consultation is recorded in writing by the consultants. Skilled workers seeking advice are given the document. This is intended to make it easier to apply for a specific job. The results of the initial consultation can provide companies with assistance in the recruitment process and also support the placement activities of employment agencies/job centers.
On request, the individual recognition advice of the Ulm Chamber of Industry and Commerce can offer support in a further step in preparing for the formal recognition procedure for foreign professional qualifications. Refugees in the region who would like to have a Ukrainian professional qualification recognized as an IHK profession can arrange a consultation appointment at the IHK Ulm.
In addition, the Recognition portal of the federal government helps with many questions – available in different languages.
The Network Integration through Qualification (iQ) also provides information on the latest news on the recognition, advice and qualification of refugees from Ukraine with the help of a collection of materials.
The “EU skills profiling tool for third-country nationals” is also available in Ukrainian. Third-country nationals can use it to clearly present their skills, qualifications and experience. They receive a skills profile that is easy to understand for employers, training providers and organizations throughout the EU. The tool is intended to facilitate the recognition of qualifications and identify the specific training needs of those affected (such as language training, job advice or further training). The tool is available to all users free of charge.
An overview of the latest developments and information on the Russia-Ukraine conflict can be found at https://www.ulm.ihk24.de/international/ukraine-krise
You can find help and support here