Girmai Birhane

Interview with the LAT project "Multipotential" (Horizont e.V.) in Nordhausen

A specialist for Thuringia

Girmai Birhane joined the MultiPotential project in February 2023. A friend had accompanied him to the LAT project in Nordhausen. "We often find that people find us because their friends have already come to us for counselling," says Josephin Freybe-Müller, who works as a counsellor in the project. Mr Birhane wanted to move to Nordhausen to work here.

As Mr Birhane is an EU citizen, residence law issues did not play a role and so he quickly got on with his job search. He originally wanted to work part-time and do a B2 language course on the side, but then decided to go straight into full-time work and continue learning German on his own. "He hasn't attended a language course yet and yet we've never needed an interpreter because he's already taught himself so well," reports Ms Freybe-Müller.

Vocational counselling and joint job searches were also straightforward in the MultiPotential project. "We only really did the finishing touches together: updating the CV, spelling and the application letters."

Mr Birhane came to the consultancy with 28 years of professional experience and an almost perfect CV. His diploma as a civil engineer from the Czech Republic had already been translated, but was not yet recognised. "We then contacted the IBAT recognition counselling service and arranged an appointment for Mr Birhane," says Ms Freybe-Müller. "The collaboration works very well. We often have our cases at the recognition counselling centre at the same time. Fortunately, the recognition counselling in North Thuringia could continue to be financed via LAT".

The job search then began quickly. Arrangements were made in the form of face-to-face meetings, but also in digital form, as Mr Birhane did not yet live in Nordhausen. Mr Birhane could have applied directly as a site manager with his qualifications, but it was quite clear to him that his German was not yet good enough for this. He was open to starting small in the construction industry and then moving up again.

Girmai Birhane impressed with his experience and hard work

"He was very excited at his first interview. We met beforehand to prepare for it and he came with a whole PowerPoint presentation. He had so many pictures with him of all the projects he had already realised. I had never experienced that before in my professional career," says Ms Freybe-Müller.

After the interview, he was initially turned down on the grounds that his language skills were not yet good enough. But the company didn't close the door completely as soon as his German had improved and he could contact them again.

At the same time, he moved into a shared flat with a friend in Nordhausen. When Mr Birhane registered as unemployed with the employment agency, they immediately gave him a few job placement suggestions. These included his current employer GBN Granitbau Nordhausen GmbH.

"At some point, Mr Birhane told me that he had an interview there and had already done a trial job. And that's when he won them over and got his employment contract shortly afterwards," says Ms Freybe-Müller.

"I wish all employers would do that: This openness. Many are also afraid of hiring someone with little knowledge of German and then perhaps with a different culture. But it's so important that people get the chance to show their potential."

It all happened very quickly in the end

Mr Birhane joined the MultiPotential project in February, the application for GBN Granitbau went out in April and his first day at work was in June. That sounds simple. And yet it was an intensive time for him.

The most difficult thing for Mr Birhane is communicating with the authorities. But Ms Freybe-Müller is also at his side after he has started work and helps him, for example, with the notification of change to the employment agency or supports him in making arrangements with IBAT, as the recognition procedure for Mr Birhane's diploma is still ongoing.

"I hope that he does the job he enjoys and that he can fulfil his dreams in Germany. I really wish him well that he has now taken the first step because he has put so much effort into it. He also needs to learn to be proud of it. I always told him in his applications that he should write how great he is and what he's done. He's very humble and then he said: "Josi, you make me look like Superman."

Maybe that's what he is.

Interview with GBN Granitbau Nordhausen GmbH

An applicant with great potential

The family business GBN Granitbau Nordhausen GmbH is currently undergoing a generational change. In order to further improve the processes in the office, the company was therefore looking for a specialist for site management who could also provide support with invoicing processes in the future.

"During the interview with Mr Birhane, we realised that he actually (...) has experience in building construction. Our civil engineering division still lacks some knowledge in this area, but it was impressive to see which projects Mr Birhane had implemented and what he had already achieved in terms of calculations, i.e. as billing support. And that's when we recognised the potential," says Andrea Ostermann, authorised signatory at GBN Granitbau.

"Especially for this position, it is important to have a very good command of the German language. This is essential for occupational safety, quality management and site management. So we said: ok, that's a difficult start, but it's a problem that can be solved. We'll solve it by creating an interim stage for Mr Birhane. And Mr Birhane has agreed to work on the construction site for the time being. That's quite common. In university, it is also recommended to work on the construction site in order to familiarise yourself with all the processes," says Stephan Ostermann, partner and site manager at GBN Granitbau.

The basics have to be learnt

Girmai Birhane has now been working on the construction sites for four months, getting to know his colleagues, the work processes and, above all, the technical terms. Mr Birhane is already highly valued by his colleagues. With his punctuality and thirst for knowledge, he has established himself as a reliable part of the team.

"Colleagues now know what they have in him. You explain something to Girmai once and then it works. They sometimes struggle more with our trainees," says Stephan Ostermann.

Prejudices are sometimes expressed on the construction site and packaged as "nice jokes". "That's not so nice, of course. But I have always communicated emphatically that we have clear values in the company and that I will not tolerate derogatory or unfavourable comments. That is the red line and it is adhered to."

Integration of foreign employees is also an entrepreneurial experience process

GBN Granitbau used to have Eritrean employees. An acquaintance who was in charge of an integration project through the volleyball club asked whether companies in Nordhausen could imagine employing some of his participants. Granitbau thought it was a good idea to give the young people a chance. "We've had a lot of good experiences. Not just with the migrants, but also with how you prepare your employees for the process and take them along with you. They are also very open. We also have an employee who takes colleagues aside and explains tasks or work processes again. That's worth a lot and we also support that," says Andrea Ostermann.

An exciting time now awaits Mr Birhane, as he is expected to work in the office in the future. He will use the seasonal short-time working from Christmas to further improve his German and take the language test for the B2 certificate. The company also already has plans for the cold months.

"During the time when we can't be on the construction site, we offer our employees the opportunity to attend various training courses. Mr Birhane could then also do a two-week training course on natural stone or surveying," says the authorised signatory.

Even if Mr Birhane doesn't have many plans for his future, the family business is happy to plan for him in the long term. Apprentices are also being trained with the aim of taking them on afterwards.

"Our wish for Mr Birhane is that we can offer him a job here at the company that fulfils him and makes him happy. He should stay healthy and always speak up when something bothers or concerns him, because that's the only way we can work well together," concludes Stephan Ostermann.