Perspectiva Spain
Our contribution towards combating youth unemployment in Spain
Our "Perspectiva" project was directed towards young people in Spain who were on the threshold of their working lives and wished to gain experience in a company in Germany. As the name suggests, we gave job seekers a specific perspective for building a secure future in Germany or in their home country.
Some conditions needed to be met in order to participate in this Foundation programme. We only selected candidates aged between 18 and 28 who were unemployed and therefore without any perspective of obtaining a job in Spain. As they were to work in a technical or commercial profession in Germany, completed vocational training or a university degree (Bachelor or Master) in this area was another prerequisite, as are basic German language skills (level A2-B1).
Most candidates were sociable and open for a new culture. But they also had to be willing to learn the German language and be prepared to spend an extended period of time in a foreign country.
In return, the Peter und Luise Hager Foundation organised a six-month internship and an intensive German language course. It goes without saying that the Foundation also sponsored assume personal responsibility for each individual Spanish intern. Accordingly, they received specific support in finding accommodation in Germany as well as obtaining permanent employment on conclusion of the programme.
Intensive support also included regular meetings during which the participants could discuss what they had experienced and learned, and plan excursions to surrounding regions. This made it easier for the interns to develop a network including former participants in the Perspectiva project.
Ramon Casas participated in the first Perspectiva project. He was 26 years old and came from Terrassa, a town near Barcelona in Catalonia. Like many other candidates in the project, he was a university graduate and a qualified engineer. He studied for five years, one of which was spent in Italy. Despite these qualifications, there was very little chance of him being able to work in his specific profession in Spain. Ramon admitted that it was not easy for him to leave Spain.
"At first, I really didn't want to come to Germany. I couldn't speak the language and the weather here is the total opposite to sunny Spain. Fortunately, we received so much help from all of the organisers of the project. as such, we soon felt at home and everything was so much easier for us."
His expectations for his time spent in Germany were definitely realistic. He wanted to acquire professional experience in a qualified company. Today, he has a full-time job in Germany. And the original plan of staying six months has been extended to seventeen months so far.
Nevertheless, he missed the Spanish way of life, the somewhat warmer weather and surfing near his home, yet inspite of this there are some typical German characteristics which appeal to him.
"The Germans are quieter, more domesticated, polite, economical and more direct than us Spanish. That's the good thing about another country – you learn something new every day."
Some conditions needed to be met in order to participate in this Foundation programme. We only selected candidates aged between 18 and 28 who were unemployed and therefore without any perspective of obtaining a job in Spain. As they were to work in a technical or commercial profession in Germany, completed vocational training or a university degree (Bachelor or Master) in this area was another prerequisite, as are basic German language skills (level A2-B1).
Most candidates were sociable and open for a new culture. But they also had to be willing to learn the German language and be prepared to spend an extended period of time in a foreign country.
In return, the Peter und Luise Hager Foundation organised a six-month internship and an intensive German language course. It goes without saying that the Foundation also sponsored assume personal responsibility for each individual Spanish intern. Accordingly, they received specific support in finding accommodation in Germany as well as obtaining permanent employment on conclusion of the programme.
Intensive support also included regular meetings during which the participants could discuss what they had experienced and learned, and plan excursions to surrounding regions. This made it easier for the interns to develop a network including former participants in the Perspectiva project.
Ramon Casas participated in the first Perspectiva project. He was 26 years old and came from Terrassa, a town near Barcelona in Catalonia. Like many other candidates in the project, he was a university graduate and a qualified engineer. He studied for five years, one of which was spent in Italy. Despite these qualifications, there was very little chance of him being able to work in his specific profession in Spain. Ramon admitted that it was not easy for him to leave Spain.
"At first, I really didn't want to come to Germany. I couldn't speak the language and the weather here is the total opposite to sunny Spain. Fortunately, we received so much help from all of the organisers of the project. as such, we soon felt at home and everything was so much easier for us."
His expectations for his time spent in Germany were definitely realistic. He wanted to acquire professional experience in a qualified company. Today, he has a full-time job in Germany. And the original plan of staying six months has been extended to seventeen months so far.
Nevertheless, he missed the Spanish way of life, the somewhat warmer weather and surfing near his home, yet inspite of this there are some typical German characteristics which appeal to him.
"The Germans are quieter, more domesticated, polite, economical and more direct than us Spanish. That's the good thing about another country – you learn something new every day."
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