Recaro actively supports the integration of refugees

Recaro Aircraft Seating is providing hands-on support for the integration of refugees in Germany: several of the refugees participating in sponsored language classes have been selected to participate in a four-week internship program in different departments of the company. Initially, three refugees have successfully assisted in the departments Global Marketing, Customer Center and Quality of the company’s headquarters until early July 2016.

“Right from the beginning, we were convinced that we would have inspiring and positive experiences with the foreign interns, making it a win-win situation for everyone involved,” says Dr. Mark Hiller, Chief Executive Officer and Shareholder of Recaro Aircraft Seating. “The interns were able to quickly integrate themselves into our processes and constructively assist in various departments with their extensive specialized knowledge. Thanks to the excellent language classes, all interns came equipped with outstanding German language skills. We can imagine an even more extensive integration program in the future.”

Learning from each other and expanding expertise on both sides

The foreign interns have gained insights into the different areas of work in a German manufacturing company. These included quality assurance-related tasks in the receiving inspection of both purchased parts and parts produced in house, tasks related to incoming goods in logistics as well as monitoring and managing incoming goods in SAP. In marketing, press work and a marketing presentation for the Arabic market were newly created. Working with the foreign interns has increased the sensitivity in many departments to the subject of talent promotion.

“It has become evident that the social integration of refugees in Germany works by integrating them through language and occupation. Long-term, we hope to help more people this way, securing their path to the workforce with an internship at Recaro,” says Stephan Arnold, Director Global Marketing & Communications.

Dr. Hans Werner Schmidt, Director of the Goethe Institute Schwaebisch Hall, adds, “The 2015 ‘Recaro Verbindet’ (Recaro Connects) project for supporting refugees  was a huge success. Recaro providing positions for interns this year and promoting professional development this way, can definitely be called a lighthouse project. I hope that  many companies in our region will follow this example and that it will inspire them to actively participate in qualified aid for refugees.”