Mentoring for Migrants in Tyrol for the first time

In the "Mentoring for Migrants" program the Tyrol Economic Chamber, the AMS, and the ÖIF partner up to help people from a migrant background gain a permanent foothold in the Tyrolean labor market.

"Tyrolean economy lives diversity – stronger together" is the name of the outreach effort started by the Tyrol Economic Chamber for people from a migrant background in the Tyrolean economy. "Mentoring for Migrants" is being started as part of this effort in collaboration with the job market service (AMS) and the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF).

Economic opportunities of migration

The goal of "Mentoring for Migrants," which takes place in four other states (Vienna, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Styria), is to integrate qualified individuals into the Tyrolean labor market. Today foreign language skills and knowledge of other cultures are increasingly important along with job skills. Demographic studies also forecast that by 2025 Austria would have 25% less people between the ages of 20 and 24 without immigration.

Sustainable partnership

The project is designed for people from a migrant background, "mentees," who have completed at least an apprenticeship or a higher level of training, can demonstrate adequate German skills, and have access to the Austrian labor market. Experienced business people with sufficient professional experience and interpersonal skills act as mentors. The time commitment for mentors is around five or six hours per month. There is also a mentor training at the beginning.

The project is based on "helping people help themselves," as Alexander Janda, Managing Director of the ÖIF, emphasizes. "I am pleased that we can also offer Mentoring for Migrants in Tyrol in cooperation with the Economic Chamber and the AMS. Now this successful project, which is unique in the German speaking world, is run in five states," says Janda.

Apply to be a mentee

Applications to be a mentee can be submitted until March 20, 2010.  Find out more here.