The Caritas workshop for people with disabilities is looking for internships for its young protégés.
The companies should dare.
Dachau - Get out of the classroom and into a company: Most young people complete an internship in the course of their school career or training, they often “get a taste” of several companies before deciding on a career.
19-year-old Ramona also wanted to test how the work in the catering industry works and completed a six-week internship at the Maierbräu brewery restaurant in Markt Altomünster: "I was part of the kitchen team as normal."
Innkeeper Christian Pfaller praises the intern who “worked fully in the company”.
Nothing special, one would think.
But the young woman completed a two-year vocational training phase in the Dachau Caritas workshop for people with disabilities.
And it is not easy for young people with a handicap to find an internship.
15 young people are currently going through this entry-level area of the workshop, they acquire knowledge about various professional fields, but also general knowledge such as first aid or the basics of occupational safety.
This training is broadly based, digital media are of course used so that the participants are prepared for the demands of the world of work.
Then they can start their professional life - in a company or in a work area of the workshop.
Companies are very reluctant
But in order to try out everyday work in a company, to get to know a professional field better, also to show what they can do - that would require more opportunities for an internship. “That would be the first step towards a normal workplace,” says Melanie Bayer, who heads vocational training in the workshop. Unfortunately, companies are very cautious. The young interns are looked after and accompanied in the company by employees of the workshop, the working time model should be designed individually and flexibly, from one practical day a week to an internship lasting several weeks. And the workshop employees could also be a real asset, especially in niche workplaces for facilities or companies. "Laying puzzles with the little ones in the day care center, serving meals in the canteen,Cleaning cars in the car workshop after repairs, ”says Bayer, citing a few specific examples.
In many cases there are still hurdles and reservations, confirms Claudia Schneider from the socio-educational service of the Caritas workshop.
"But as soon as someone has taken on our employees, they are usually surprised at what people can do."
Working in the inn was an important experience
Ramona and innkeeper Christian Pfaller report how well it can go.
The young woman worked in the Maierbrau brewery restaurant for six weeks, working a six-hour shift in the kitchen team with its own work area.
Everything worked out wonderfully, emphasizes the innkeeper.
“Nobody is wrapped in cotton wool for me”, but of course the special requirements are taken into account.
"So that nobody is overwhelmed," says Christian Pfaller, who has already employed handicapped interns in his catering company in Ingolstadt.
And for the intern, working in the inn was an important experience that helped her, as she emphasizes.
More young men and women with handicaps should have the chance to try out and prove themselves in an internship, which would be important to Melanie Bayer as Head of Vocational Training.
“Our people can do something.
It would be nice if companies would give them a chance. ”Companies or institutions that could offer an internship for young people with disabilities can contact melanieviktoria.bayer@caritasmuenchen.de.