Trainees prepped and ready
The German skilled trades sector needs trainees and skilled workers – GIZ cooperates with small and medium-sized enterprises to connect German companies with motivated trainees from selected countries. In Jordan, the first group of talented young people have completed their preparation for vocational training in Germany.
Humour makes learning easier. At the German-Jordanian Centre for Labour Mobility, regional and cultural studies is on the curriculum – with a focus on Germany. The teacher holds up a photo of a Bavarian man wearing lederhosen. It looks like a scene from Oktoberfest and makes the class smile. Such clichés – as the young Jordanians know – are tongue-in-cheek. For them, Germany is much more than beer mugs and traditional Bavarian garb. These young people are already well-versed in German culture and are part of the first group of trainees in Jordan that are preparing for vocational training in Germany.
One of them is Anas Mohammad, who at 29 has decided to train as a baker. ‘I see baking as an art that combines creativity and precision.’ But what really fascinates him is that this training also offers an insight into German identity. ‘In Germany, baking isn’t just a profession, it’s part of the culture.’
He has had a passion for the country and its people for a long time. ‘I’ve been interested in German language and culture since I was a child. I used to listen to podcasts, watch YouTube videos and read magazines,’ he says. His family and friends support his decision to start training in Germany. ‘They’re proud of me because they know how enthusiastic I am about Germany.’
His colleague Artemis has a similar story. The 34-year-old from Amman is all smiles when she talks about her passion. For years she has been trying out different recipes, adding international twists to Jordanian traditions – and constantly discovering new possibilities. She is now looking forward to starting her training in Swabia.
These motivated young Jordanians recently began their in-company training in various German federal states, having previously spent many months studying to obtain their B1 exam in German language. The multi-stage preparatory programme also included vocational training at Jordan’s largest public TVET institution, the Vocational Training Corporation (VTC). They also received support with visas and entry, and accommodation in Germany was organised together with their employers.
The pilot project Partnerships for Development-Oriented Vocational Training and Labour Migration (PAM) builds bridges between international young talent and German businesses that are urgently seeking trainees. GIZ implements the programme with partners from ministries and TVET institutions in partner countries on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). PAM is currently running in Ecuador, Viet Nam, Jordan and Germany. The training prepares young people in professions such as baking, industrial mechanics, electronics and machining to the level of German standards. The support provided includes intensive courses in German language, intercultural training, technical prequalification, advice on visas and accreditation, and tailored job matching with German companies. The objective is to achieve a fair, secure and development-driven exchange that benefits the countries of origin and destination countries in equal measure.
A model for the sustainable recruitment of skilled workers
While the number of young people entering skilled trades and industrial professions in Germany is on the decline, young people in Jordan are actively seeking professional qualifications. This is where PAM (Partnerships for Development-Oriented Vocational Training and Labour Migration) comes in. The programme builds bridges between German businesses and well-prepared applicants from Jordan. It combines international cooperation with tangible benefits for the German economy.
PAM’s strengths lie in its structure based on partnerships. In Jordan, GIZ works closely with the state TVET institution VTC, while in Germany it collaborates with the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH), skilled crafts organisations and participating companies. This results in a networked system that is geared towards demand from German businesses and their actual trainee requirements – as opposed to theoretical models, explains Rabeaa al haj Hasan, the GIZ officer responsible for PAM in Jordan: ‘Everything is designed to make the transition to Germany as seamless as possible. We’ve created a system that gives businesses security. Not only are the trainees motivated, they’re also absolutely ready to start work right away.’
Another advantage is that having completed the year-long preparatory programme, the trainees are not only motivated, they also have intercultural expertise and a clear professional focus – skills that are increasingly valuable in a global economy.
Jordan in brief
Partner country Jordan
Jordan is a country with around eleven million people, over half of whom are under 30. It is considered an anchor of stability in the Middle East, and Germany has maintained close relations with the kingdom for over 70 years. Many Jordanians see Germany as an attractive place to work because of its high standards in skilled trades and industry. ‘Germany is popular in Jordan. In our culture, if a product is ‘made in Germany’, it’s seen as particularly valuable – and German qualifications and work experience are regarded just as highly,’ explains Ahmad Al Gharaibeh, director of the VTC.
This respect for Germany is echoed by Mohammad Abu Zaid, who has just started an apprenticeship at plastics company Hadi-Plast in East Westphalia: ‘I’m excited about starting my apprenticeship in plastics technology in Germany and I’m looking forward to graduating with a certificate that is highly regarded all over the world.’ Mohammad and his classmates motivated each other during their language course. Now he is looking forward to his opportunity in northwestern Germany. What began with courses in German language and intercultural training in Jordan will now continue in German businesses – as a lived partnership that combines training with prospects for the future.
