Recruiting candidates in the Western region of the Palatinate
The Hotel-Restaurant Barbarossahof in Kaiserslautern, a popular establishment in the Westpfalz region, is taking a unique approach to address the local shortage of applicants in the hospitality industry. The hotel has welcomed its first five apprentices from Vietnam this year.
Sandra Flockerzie, responsible for human resources and training at the Barbarossahof, has been instrumental in this initiative. She found the agency iq.lu based in Ludwigshafen, which facilitated the recruitment of the Vietnamese apprentices.
Currently, there are 75 employees from 20 different countries working at the Barbarossahof. However, accommodating everyone's needs and cultural differences has proven to be a challenge for Sandra Flockerzie.
The Westpfalz region is experiencing a similar issue, with many businesses struggling to fill open positions and apprenticeship spots. The traineeship at the Hotel Barbarossahof offers a salary of β¬1,000 in the first year and β¬1,100 in the second year, with free accommodation, meals, access to hotel facilities, and a traineeship salary according to the collective agreement.
The apprentices have completed German courses and can speak and understand German at a good level. Yen Hoang Tran, one of the apprentices, experiences homesickness from time to time but finds the opportunity in Germany valuable due to its reputation and global job opportunities.
Veronika Pommer, the Regional Manager of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) for the Pfalz region, encourages other businesses to look for apprentices abroad as a possible solution. She believes creativity is crucial for businesses in the Westpfalz region to address this issue.
After two years, the apprentices will be certified as a "Skilled Worker in Commerce". Sandra Flockerzie, who has dealt with various bureaucratic requirements for years, believes reducing bureaucracy is crucial for small businesses like the Barbarossahof.
Interestingly, the apprenticeship has been shortened to two years, with the option to extend it to three years. This change was made to attract more applicants and to provide a faster pathway to a skilled workforce.
Today's youth in the Westpfalz region prefer to study over pursuing an apprenticeship. However, the success of the Hotel-Restaurant Barbarossahof's initiative might encourage more young people to consider apprenticeships as a viable career path.
In conclusion, the Hotel-Restaurant Barbarossahof in Kaiserslautern is setting a positive example for businesses in the Westpfalz region. By looking abroad for talent, reducing bureaucracy, and offering attractive salaries and benefits, they are addressing the local shortage of applicants and providing valuable opportunities for young people from around the world.
