In Belgium’s German-speaking region, a collaborative training initiative is fast-tracking refugees by building on their prior experience and pairing practical upskilling with hands-on workplace placements.

In the German-speaking Community of Belgium, two institutes for further education (the Robert Schuman Institute and "K4") have joined forces with the employment agency to create an educational program that allows individuals to enter the hospitality industry with minimal barriers. 

The approach is as follows: the hospitality and food sectors (HORECA) are seeking workforce. For instance, refugees may have professional experiences, language skills, social and intercultural abilities, and technical skills from their home countries, which can also be valuable resources for the local labor market. 

These existing potentials will be specifically identified, further developed, and made easily and quickly usable for the labor market through the training program. The specialized vocabulary and local customs will be conveyed in a practical and application-oriented manner during the course. For this purpose, K4 Institute provides modern cooking facilities. Afterwards, the acquired language and professional skills will be applied in the context of a supported internship in selected companies. The course includes evaluation phases of the learning progress with the participants and concludes with a certificate of participation.

For more information: Information | RSI Eupen

Source: Eurydice Unit Belgium (German-Speaking Community)