Youth from South America getting equipped for training sessions - South American Youth Undergoing Training Preparation
Sixty-one eager learners from South America are enrolled in a unique program at a special school in Thuringia, preparing for vocational training in the region. These young individuals hail from countries such as Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, and Bolivia [1].
With 40 newcomers joining the program, the German Professional School (GPS) in Erfurt announced by the Ministry of Economics has officially commenced [2]. For the next four months, these young women and men will undergo an extensive training regimen that focuses on mastering the German language, acquiring basic knowledge about Thuringia, understanding the social system, and familiarizing themselves with fundamental political and cultural values in Germany.
The initiative began last year but was initially limited to young people with a migration background already residing in Thuringia [2]. Now, the school is ready to welcome students from South America, providing them with the chance to gain valuable vocational experiences and potentially secure a spot in the Thuringian job market starting from August.
Even amid economic challenges, businesses across Thuringia continue to hunt for apprentices and skilled workers. Economics Minister Colette Boos-John (CDU) reassured that the demand for newcomers to the workforce remains strong [3].
By 2035, an estimated 170,000 workers will be missing in the Free State. Boos-John emphasized that the GPS could go a long way in helping to fill this future demand [3].
Initially founded last year at four locations including Eisenach, Mühlhausen, Gotha, and Jena, the school is currently still in its pilot phase. Nevertheless, Minister Boos-John has expressed a desire to adjust the program by focusing more on employer alignment and streamlining the collaboration with existing projects supporting vocational training [3].
Seeking Improvements to Enhance Efficiency
By revising the current concept, ambitious plans are underway to strengthen the orientation towards the economy and ensure seamless coordination between the GPS and other local initiatives. Thuringia aims to create a dynamic training program that empowers young people from South America and prepares them for a future in the region [3].
A Look into the Future
International students face various challenges entering the German job market. Collaborative efforts, such as InspireSphere, seek to provide guidance for foreign students navigating the German workforce [4]. The success of such initiatives may serve as an inspiration for the development of specialized programs that help young South Americans obtain the skills necessary to thrive in Thuringia's vibrant labor market.
- To better prepare the South American learners for their vocational training in Thuringia, the German Professional School (GPS) in Erfurt will focus on teaching the German language, Thuringian knowledge, understanding of the social system, and fundamental political and cultural values.
- For the next four months, these young individuals will undergo an extensive training regimen, with the goal of equipping them with skills needed to potentially secure a spot in the Thuringian job market starting from August.
- In addition to the vocational training, the GPS will provide online education, learning, and skills training to ensure these young learners are well-prepared for their future careers and personal growth in Thuringia.
- As these young South Americans complete their training, local businesses in Thuringia, facing a projected shortage of 170,000 workers by 2035, will perhaps benefit from the influx of skilled workers coming from the GPS program.
- In order to improve the program's efficiency, ambitious plans are underway to revise the current concept and place a greater emphasis on employer alignment and collaboration with other local vocational training initiatives.
- By strengthening the orientation towards the economy and fostering a dynamic training program, Thuringia hopes to create an empowering environment that encourages young people from South America to not only adapt to life in the region but to thrive in Thuringia's vibrant labor market.
