Status: 06.09.2023, 06:00 a.m.
By: Katrin Kleinschmidt
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Sergii Vinter (2nd from right) and Dmytro Hashkov (2nd from left) are back at work. Company boss Wolfgang Dollinger and Jobcenter managing director Jan Riediger (right) also play their part in this. © Oar
New country, new language – and also a new job: Sergii Vinter and Dmytro Hashkov have made it. The two Ukrainians, who worked in offices in their homeland, have gained a foothold as craftsmen in Weilheim. They are now proving on a daily basis that the integration of foreign workers can succeed.
Weilheim – Sergii Vinter and Dmytro Hashkov enjoy the fresh air in the morning. Actually, it is 8 o'clock, they are already standing on a roof in the area. But on this day they meet for a conversation with the local newspaper. So Vinter and Hashkov are now sitting at a table in front of the Oberland Solar Center in Weilheim, tanned from the hot days of this August and working at altitude. The two Ukrainians have been working for this since the beginning of June. This makes not only herself happy, but also her boss Wolfgang Dollinger and Jan Riediger, managing director of the Weilheim-Schongau job center.
Many of those who have fled to Germany because of the war in Ukraine are still unemployed. Vinter and Hashkov, however, have made their way back into professional life. The men got to know each other at a language course in Weilheim and attended an information event at the job center in Peißenberg. "They sat in the front row," recalls Riediger, who at the time had a job offer from the solar center as an example. The two men, who both fled to Germany in April 2022, quickly got down to business and introduced themselves to the Weilheim-based company. This was followed by two days of trial work – then Dollinger presented them with employment contracts.
Formerly in a shirt at a desk, today in work clothes on the roof
"We are happy to have you in the team," says the company boss at the press event directly addressed to the two. "There was good chemistry right away." On top of that, both have manual dexterity. They were hired as helpers in the installation of solar panels on roofs.
And now they work in a completely different profession than in their home country. Hashkov, who used to live in Kharkiv, worked as a regional manager in the food industry. "I wore a shirt instead of work clothes," says the 39-year-old, who now lives in Hohenpeißenberg. Vinter (45), who fled Kiev and now lives in Weilheim, also had an office job. He sold pumps for sewage and water. "German pumps," he emphasizes and smiles.
Two colleagues from Kazakhstan can translate if necessary
Now, however, "we work with our hands," says Hashkov, who, like Vinter, fled the war with his wife and child. "Because our German isn't that good yet." But it's not bad either. Both can talk to German and understand a lot. In an emergency, Hashkov reaches for his smartphone and launches a translation app. At work, he hardly needs them. Two Kazakhs work in the solar center who speak Russian and can therefore translate – but they only do so when it is really necessary. "When we work, we talk German," says Hashkov.
This is also important to his boss. "Language is the be-all and end-all," says Dollinger. "Compliments to both of them for how quickly they learn German." Good communication is important when working on the roof – for safety reasons and also because the work must be carried out well. "We're learning step by step," says Hashkov, who always raves about "the good team": "We have great colleagues, they always help us."
Three to four installation teams, each with three employees, are on the road for the solar center. The two Ukrainians "are already fully integrated," praises Dollinger. The friendly employees are also praised by customers.
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Jobcenter covers 30 percent of wage costs for six months
Riediger follows the explanations with a smile. "This is a good example of how integration can succeed," says the managing director of the job center. The authority takes over 30 percent of the salary of the two for the first six months. And thus supports the company in being able to train the new colleagues. For Hashkov and Vinter, too, there are advantages to going to work, says Riediger, enumerating: "More money, more vacation, more freedom."
And yet many Ukrainians have not yet arrived in the German labor market. No wonder that the job center managing director takes notice when Dollinger says with a view to Hashkov and Vinter: "We would like to see even more such good colleagues."
Of course, Dollinger knows that the situation with the two Kazakhs in his company makes things a lot easier. But with language apps and German courses – "which are the basis" – the integration of foreign employees is also feasible. The head of the company has employees from 14 nations – a total of around 90 people work for Haustechnik Oberland and the solar centre. Like the Ukrainians, many started out as helpers. If Vinter and Hashkov stick with it, they can move up in the company, says Dollinger. "I trust them to be able to lead a team after some time." When he says this, the two are already on their way – work is calling.