![[Translate to English:] Flüchtlinge besuchen AGOFORM](/fileadmin/_processed_/8/f/csm_fluechtlinge-besuchen-agoform_71bbadbcd5.jpg "Flüchtlinge besuchen AGOFORM")
Löhne. That was pure motivation: when 30 refugees visited the AGOFORM factory in Löhne Gohfeld, Managing Director Michael Ruprecht was able to show them a personal example of successful integration: a refugee from Syria at work.
“Just like you, Schyar Alfattah took part in the integration programme of the Trade Association Westphalia-Lippe. And just like you, factory tours gave him the opportunity to learn about jobs and working conditions, enabling him to decide what direction to take“, says Ruprecht. With success because some two months ago Schyar Alfattah started in-house training at AGOFORM to become a machine and systems operator. The money he earns makes him financially independent, meaning he is no longer reliant on social services, and he has since added many colleagues at AGOFORM to his circle of friends and acquaintances.
Manfred Bulk, Chairman of Westphalia-Lippe’s Trade Association (WWL), was also highly delighted to hear how well Schyar Alfattah was already doing in performing his new tasks at the plastics processor in Löhne. “For asylum seekers finding a suitable job is the key step towards integration into German society“, explained the Chairman of the Bünde-based Association for medium-sized companies from the region.
For this reason, the WWL has set up a programme that not just makes it possible for refugees to acquaint themselves with jobs and workplaces, thus allowing them to earn a living. “We also deal with other important topics, such as language development and the mobility necessary in order to access the workplace”, says Bulk.
Since the start of the WWL campaign, already a dozen workplaces for refugees have come about in this way. “Many others participating in the project will shortly sign employment contracts.”
Managing Director Ruprecht, who gave the group a tour through the company and explained the individual production stages and workstations believes that in future refugees could find work amongst the 160 employees at AGOFORM. “So far practically none of the refugees had seen anything remotely close to the fully automated production of plastic parts for the furniture industry“, Ruprecht reported.
From the many questions posed not only was great interest evident but also considerable understanding of the technical processes involved. Michael Ruprecht: “Some of the visitors – doubtless motivated by the example of Schyar Alfattah – asked on the spot whether they could start working for us”.
The WWL is confident that this year, with its own holistic concept, it will be able to place well in excess of 100 refugees in employment. Manfred Bulk: “A gigantic task but one with which we help the job-seekers and the companies alike.”
Not only refugees but also companies can apply to participate in the project by going to the website www.wwl4refugees.de. Further information is available at www.wwl-info.de.
You can retrieve the original newspaper article (in German) in the Neue Westfälischen here.
