- Immigrant Times
- Sep 13
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 22
Teaching and training for refugees in Germany
Germany offers an array of government and privately sponsored courses, designed to allow swift entry into the labour market. The country’s dual education system emphasises a combination of academic studies and vocational training.
By The Immigrant Times
German business and individual companies have launched initiatives to teach refugees skills that are needed by the country’s engineering and electronics industry
September 2025: Germany offers extensive teaching and training programmes for refugees and immigrants to aid their integration into the labour market and society. These initiatives are run by federal ministries and/or state governments, non-profit organisations, or private companies.
Government programmes
Integration courses
A fundamental part of the teaching and training system, these courses are funded by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and combine intensive German language instruction with orientation courses on German history, culture, and values.
'Integration through Qualification (IQ)' programme
Since 2005, this federal programme has helped immigrants and refugees get their foreign professional qualifications recognised in Germany. It focuses on using the potential of skilled foreign workers to address Germany's labour shortage.
Vocational Orientation for Refugees (BOF)
This joint initiative by the Federal Employment Agency (BA) and the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (Zentralverband des Deutschen Handwerks, ZDH) prepares young refugees for Germany's dual vocational training system. It offers language lessons, vocational preparation, and job shadowing to help them choose a career path.
Higher education access
Programmes like ‘Integra’ and ‘Welcome Programme’ have helped thousands of academically qualified immigrants and refugees enrol in German universities by offering language support, preparatory courses, and mentoring.
Financial aid
Refugees with recognised protection status can receive government support for living expenses during their training or studies, under the same conditions as German citizens.
Private sector initiatives
Social Impact
This organisation offers the RESTART program for newcomers with a business idea, providing one-on-one coaching to help them launch and consolidate their own companies.
ReDI School of Digital Integration
This coding school trains immigrants and refugees in digital skills, such as software development and data analytics, to help them enter Germany's high-demand IT sector.
JOBLINGE
The ‘Kompass’ programme focuses on young refugees, providing mentorship, qualifications, and work experience to help them secure an apprenticeship or a job.
Companies ‘Integrate Refugees’ network
Over 4,300 companies are part of this network, which shares resources and best practices. Member companies include Siemens, Deutsche Bahn, and DHL, which offer training, internships, and mentoring to refugees.
Zentralverband des Deutschen Handwerks (ZDH):
This confederation of skilled crafts runs the ‘Welcome Tutors’ programme, which matches refugees with small and medium-sized enterprises for vocational training.
Socialbee
This integration service provider connects refugees with companies through temporary employment, which helps newcomers overcome administrative hurdles while providing additional training.
Major challenges in refugee training
Despite the array of programmes, refugees face several hurdles in their training and integration.
Language barriers
Insufficient German language skills remain a central obstacle in both vocational schools and the workplace.
Unclear residence status
Legal and administrative uncertainties can complicate access to education and employment opportunities.
Limited recognition of qualifications
The German system, which is highly formal, often struggles to recognise and validate qualifications earned in other countries.
Bureaucracy
The German educational and vocational teaching and training system can be confusing to newcomers, who may lack guidance or social networks to navigate it.
‘Teaching and Training Refugees’ is part of The Immigrant Times’ open research project. You are invited to contribute, correct and comment. Email
Further reading: Teaching and training refugees in Europe || Teaching and training refugees in Germany || Teaching and training refugees in Sweden || Teaching and training refugees in Spain || Teaching and training refugees in Italy ||
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