Labor force integration: a hurdle faced by immigrants
In the heart of Dortmund, Germany, the Baumgart boatyard is bustling with activity. With several boat renovation projects underway, the skilled workforce plays a crucial role in keeping the business afloat. Among these dedicated employees is Andrii Polinskyi, a 43-year-old migrant from Ukraine.
Andrii joined the team at Baumgart three years ago, taking on a boat that was in a poor state. Despite having no formal vocational training, Andrii has learned everything necessary for his job from scratch. His hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed, with Stefan Baumgart, the managing director of Baumgart, appreciating Andrii's contribution and considering him a valuable asset.
The boatyard's workforce is largely made up of individuals with a migration background, reflecting the diverse community in Dortmund. This diversity is not only beneficial for the business but also for the city as a whole.
The job search can be particularly difficult at the beginning of a migrant's stay in Germany. Employment bans, lack of language skills, limited transferability of professional qualifications, and the so-called residence requirement, which restricts freedom of movement, are just some of the challenges that migrants may face.
Andrii experienced these challenges himself when he first moved to Germany with his family. However, he found his job through a support offer from the Dortmund Chamber of Crafts. The Chamber has been recognised for its commitment to integrating people with a migration background, with companies like Dieckmann & Meyer Bochum GmbH receiving the "Integration Prize of the Chamber of Crafts Dortmund" in 2024.
Baumgart boatyard was also honoured with the Integration Prize of the Crafts for its efforts in this area. The company's commitment to integration is evident in success stories like Andrii's.
However, Andrii's residence permit in Germany is limited to the end of the war in Ukraine. A permanent residence permit would provide the Ukrainian family with planning security and they do not wish to return to Ukraine.
The laws of many hours of work sometimes pose a challenge for the Dortmund company, but the rewards of working with dedicated employees like Andrii make it worthwhile. The Malteser migration report 2025 highlights that migrants often face challenges in finding a job quickly in Germany. However, stories like Andrii's demonstrate that with support and opportunity, migrants can thrive and make valuable contributions to their new communities.
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