More than 100 job-seeking participants from ÖIF German courses were able to find out regarding job opportunities at IKEA Haid on site
Vienna (OTS) – On Friday, April 14th, another career platform of the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) for displaced Ukrainians and those entitled to asylum took place in cooperation with IKEA Austria in Haid (Upper Austria). The information event offered the participants of ÖIF German courses the opportunity to get to know IKEA and the employment opportunities in the company. IKEA provided information regarding employment opportunities, vacancies, as well as entry and advancement opportunities within the group. On site, Integration Minister Susanne Raab and Upper Austria Provincial Councilor for Integration Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, together with Alpaslan Deliloglu, CEO of IKEA Austria, and Roland Goiser, Deputy ÖIF director, a picture.
Integration Minister Susanne Raab: “Austrian companies are desperately looking for workers, and at the same time many recognized refugees are unemployed. Those who are legally allowed to remain permanently in Austria must quickly take advantage of the numerous opportunities on the labor market and work directly instead of receiving social assistance. In some industries it is also possible to start jobs with only a little knowledge of German and the language is better practiced in addition to the German course at work. This is where companies like Ikea come in, which offer employment and development opportunities for people who do not yet speak German or only speak very little German, thus enabling them to enter the labor market and the ability to survive, which is essential for the integration process.
Provincial Councilor Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer: “We want to bring companies together with expelled Ukrainians and recognized asylum seekers, because our local companies are urgently looking for staff and at the same time there is untapped labor potential. This cooperation creates a win-win situation that promotes integration and enables those affected to stand on their own two feet. Because in Upper Austria the following applies: integration works best through German, work and respect. Those who do not comply will face consequences.”
Alpaslan Deliloglu, CEO & Chief Sustainability Officer at IKEA Austria: “IKEA stands for a society in which many people can contribute their strengths and talents – regardless of where they come from. It is therefore particularly important to us that those who were forced to flee are encouraged and also given fair opportunities on the job market. With its career platform, the Austrian Integration Fund makes an important and very valuable contribution to helping refugees start their careers in Austria: We at IKEA Austria are therefore a proud partner of this project and also encourage other companies to join us.”
Roland Goiser, Deputy Director of the Austrian Integration Fund: “On the career platforms, refugees, displaced persons and immigrants who are currently learning German can get to know companies that are looking for workers. Even following they have entered the labor market, the ÖIF supports immigrants with evening and online courses and self-learning opportunities to further improve their German.”
Getting started: Over 1,500 participants at ÖIF career platforms
The nationwide career platforms run by the ÖIF bring companies and job-seeking asylum seekers together. Companies that are looking for workers can present their employment opportunities to potential applicants as part of the career platform directly at their company or at German course providers. Participants can hold discussions with potential employers and recruiters and apply for vacancies directly on site. More than 1,500 immigrant women looking for work have so far taken part in ÖIF career platforms, for example together with Post AG, Spar, Lidl, Mediaprint, the BFI in Linz and IKEA. Most of the participants came from Ukraine, Syria or Afghanistan.
Expansion of German learning opportunities for working people
The ÖIF is constantly expanding its range of part-time German courses and provides German courses for refugees and immigrants at different language levels. These courses, which are stipulated in the Integration Act, can be taken up by employed and non-employed persons alike. In addition to face-to-face courses, the ÖIF also offers a wide range of online courses and self-learning options. At www.sprachportal.at, German learners in particular who are employed or parents who have care responsibilities can continuously improve their German language skills with learning materials, practice tests, podcasts and videos as well as online learning units.
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Questions & contact:
Austrian Integration Fund
Mag.(FH) Siegfried Grobmann
Head of Communications
T +43 17 10 12 03 322
M +43 676 519 1361
siegfried.grobmann@integrationsfonds.at
