Region Ostwürttemberg, 28.11.2024. This year's newly opened WIN building on the campus of Aalen University was the venue for the skilled worker speed dating event organised by the Welcome Center Ostwürttemberg on 20.11.2024. Companies and international professionals as well as students took the opportunity to exchange ideas and network professionally.
International skilled workers represent an increasingly important potential in times of a shortage of qualified personnel. The Welcome Centre Ostwürttemberg not only advises these skilled workers and companies, but also organises events to promote matching between the two sides. In addition to seven companies from the region, numerous international skilled workers and students came to the WIN building to get to know each other in short seven-minute one-to-one meetings and gain a first impression of each other.
Pascal Cromm, Head of the International Office and host of the International Center, welcomed the professionals, students and companies in attendance. ‘As international professionals and students, you have already travelled a long way to Germany. This is evidence of the highest level of motivation and the companies in the Ostwürttemberg region need exactly that: highly motivated and excellently trained personnel. With today's specialist speed dating, you are now standing in front of the wide-open door to the regional labour market. We wish you the greatest success for your entry!’
The aim of the event is to establish unbureaucratic and simple contact between small and medium-sized companies in particular and international skilled workers, which ideally leads to an employment relationship. This creative approach to recruiting new employees was very well received by everyone.
‘The international skilled labour speed dating is a great format. I had some exciting brief discussions for our company with motivated and qualified applicants with whom we are looking into working together. We'll definitely be back next time,’ summarised Dr Stefan Hellfeld, CEO of Aradex AG from Lorch.
The afternoon was also a success for the international professionals and students. Many raved about the experience and the opportunity to get to know employers up close, as job hunting is not always easy for this target group.
Before the actual speed dating, participants were able to prepare for the short interviews with professional application coaching, and many took advantage of this offer. Convincing company representatives in seven minutes is something that needs to be learnt and well prepared. Work, internships, student traineeships - the companies had a number of offers and will invite their favourites to further interviews.
In order to attract and retain skilled labour for the region and promote a welcoming culture, formats such as speed dating are becoming indispensable. It remains to be hoped that even more companies will discover the potential of international employees for themselves.
The Welcome Centre Ostwürttemberg supports companies wishing to employ international skilled workers as well as the international skilled workers themselves in all matters relating to living and working in Ostwürttemberg. Under the slogan ‘Welcome to the area of talent and patents’, it offers initial counselling and support for the successful social and professional integration of skilled workers.
The Welcome Centre Ostwürttemberg is funded by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism and financially supported by the two districts of Ostalbkreis and Heidenheim, the towns of Aalen, Ellwangen, Giengen, Heidenheim and Schwäbisch Gmünd as well as the Ulm Chamber of Crafts and the East Württemberg Chamber of Industry and Commerce.