New employees for Styrian companies and integration of refugees into the labor market: A new project by AMS Steiermark and the city of Graz aims to support young men with a migrant background in Graz in starting their professional life.
While many Styrian companies are desperate for employees, young men with a migrant background often find it difficult to gain a foothold in the labor market – despite their desire to work. Due to this circumstance, the AMS Styria has started a project together with the city of Graz to support men between the ages of 18 and 29 who are entitled to asylum in the Graz region in starting their careers.
“The project focuses on the central area of Graz, because this is where most of the target group in Styria lives,” says Veronika Hojak, head of AMS Graz Ost. About 600 men between the ages of 18 and 29 who are entitled to asylum are registered as unemployed with the AMS Styria. Most of them, about 430, live in the greater Graz area.
Part of the labor costs are covered
The fact that the focus is exclusively on men is because they constitute the majority of asylum seekers registered as unemployed and there is currently no such offer specifically for men.
In the ‘Integrate Talents’ project, at least 130 refugees are expected to gain direct professional experience at non-profit companies or into commercial companies after a four-week preparation phase. Parts of the wage costs are covered in the first few months and the young men receive ongoing advice.
“Social added value”
“The project aims to quickly bring young male asylum seekers into the labor market. Non-profit employment increases professional opportunities in advance and also creates social added value,” says AMS deputy state manager Yvonne Popper-Piber. Due to their refugee history, often difficult social environments and language barriers, the young men need an opportunity and support.
The project, which started in mid-December and is initially limited to the end of 2025, has already had an initial success: three asylum seekers have already found permanent jobs in the hotel industry and logistics. “We also support the employer side, so that recruitment and long-term employment are successful,” says Thomas Wychodil of the recruitment company involved alea & Partner.
Companies interested in this employment project can contact Nina Hofmann (alea & Partner): nina.hoffmann@alea.email or by telephone on 0664/6200927.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
