The Max Aicher Bildungszentrum for immigrants and new citizens
Since the wave of asylum-seekers arrived in Summer 2015, the integra-tion of immigrants and new citizens is an important societal issue. For that reason we founded the Max Aicher Bildungszentrum Integration. This rests on two pillars: firstly, the language and technical qualifications, and secondly, the middle school classes for the mandatory school-leaving certificate. All immigrants are entitled to attend regardless of their gender, age, nationality, religious confession or status. True to the company’s mis-
sion statement “Education is our most valuable possession creating our future trade”, the training centre and the Max-Aicher-Foundation have set about ensuring that every person gets suitable training, wherever and however it is needed.
Language is the key to integration
Learning to speak German is the foundation stone for a successful life in Germany. Yet a large proportion of immigrants have no way of acquir-ing the language, whereby it proves difficult to obtain a work placement, an employment contract or a (somewhat) financially independent life. German language courses have been running at Max Aicher’s asylum-seekers accommodation since September 2015. Within the framework of a standardised teaching concept, the immigrants also receive special training in social fields and learn how our society functions – starting with values and going right through to the topics of religious freedom and equal rights. The teaching programme is augmented with practical presentations and teaching excursions. Since the end of 2015 over 500 asylum seekers of more than 15 nationalities from the Bavarian district council office of Berchtesgadener Land (BGL) have undergone highly diverse levels of training in various fields in Max
Aicher courses.
Two-year middle school (external) preparation for the mandatory school-leaving certificate
Besides acquiring the language, the mandatory school-leaving certificate in particular is also a prerequisite for entering the German apprenticeship and labour market. To help immi-
grants without such a certificate because they fall outside the German school system due to being older than 21 (or 25 as the case may be) or having unrecognised final examinations, Max Aicher initiated preparation classes for the mandatory school-leaving certificate in September 2015: an important addition to the existing government-run scheme. The initiative is privately funded and enables professional and social integration into our society and is unique in the region. Preparation for the school-leaving certificate lasts about two school years. On passing the exam, participants obtain the certificate of a state school. Admission into the middle school takes place in conjunction with the Berufsschule BGL and district council office.
Contact
Mag. Gabriele Bauer-Stadler
Telefon: +49 (0) 8654 491 0
E-Mail: bildungszentrum@max-aicher.de