By Ute Kaiser
„Work helps with integration!” This sentence appears on a flyer for refugees published by the Tübingen District Office. Tinatin Khidesheli, Ingrid Ritter, and Rebecca Schümann from the Job Integration Center are convinced of this statement. tuenews INTERNATIONAL spoke with them about the advice they offer.
Sometimes the path to the job market is easy. For example, for truck drivers from Ukraine. Their driver’s licenses are recognized in Germany and throughout the European Union. And: Shipping companies are urgently looking for drivers. One company wanted to hire a Ukrainian the very next day, even though he didn’t speak German, reports Tinatin Khidesheli.
Language skills are important
However, refugees’ German language skills often do not meet the requirements of companies. „The IT industry expects a successfully completed C1 course,” says Rebecca Schümann. She obtained this information from an exchange of experiences with the Chamber of Crafts. One of the three integration managers’ principles is therefore to „take a realistic approach” to each individual case, according to Ingrid Ritter.
More vocational language courses again
One criterion companies use for hiring is language proficiency. For vocational training, it should be at least B2. Otherwise, applicants might do very well in an internship but have difficulties in vocational school. It would therefore not have been helpful if the number of vocational language courses targeting B2 level had been reduced as originally planned. In the last three months of 2025, more of these courses can be offered again – but 20 percent fewer than in 2024. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees informed the course providers of this in August. The reason for the new regulation: the federal government’s draft budget allocates 450 million euros instead of 310 million euros for vocational language courses. The same is expected to apply in 2026.
It depends on the individual case
The specialist office set up at the end of March in the district administration office is responsible for refugees from the district of Tübingen – except for those from the city of Tübingen, which has its own advice center. Those seeking advice from the three experts at the district office have different backgrounds. They are asylum seekers or only have temporary leave to remain. They are recognized refugees or people seeking protection from Ukraine. Most Ukrainians have a school-leaving certificate that also includes vocational training. „It helps to educate companies about this,” says Rebecca Schümann. Whether illiterate or a university graduate: the team looks closely at each individual case in order to find the right match. „We offer comprehensive advice,” says Ingrid Ritter.
Everything from residence to labor law
The specialist center’s remit is diverse. Tinatin Khidesheli, Ingrid Ritter, and Rebecca Schümann provide information about various occupational fields and answer questions about the labor market. The first point of contact is their open consultation hours. Appointments are available for more in-depth discussions. The team provides support in finding training and job opportunities, obtaining work permits, and applying for jobs—from writing resumes to preparing for interviews. In cooperation with the relevant authorities, the advisors also help with the recognition of foreign qualifications and questions about residence or labor law. If appropriate, they also accompany clients to the job center to discuss suitable support options.
Advice on various issues
The advisors recommend that some clients first do a social year to learn the language. For people without secure residence status who want to stay in Germany permanently, this is usually not an option. Rebecca Schümann has often heard from them that they would take any job just to be able to stay here. Asylum seekers who have worked for less than 12 months in the last 30 months also face a problem. If they lose their job or resign, in many cases they have to pay for their own health insurance (see tun25061005 and tun25081301). They also receive counseling.
Women have a harder time
The labor market integration center, with three 50 percent positions, has been in existence since the end of March 2025. Therefore, there are no statistics yet on the number of people seeking advice or on placement successes. Experience has shown that more men than women have sought support so far. There are reasons for this: women take care of children and many also take care of relatives in need of care. This reduces their chances on the labor market. Tinatin Khidesheli gives an example: a single mother without a car cannot accept a job offer that involves shift work and night work. It is not compatible with her family responsibilities.
Investing can pay off
Nevertheless, Tinatin Khidesheli is confident. Studies have shown that Germany has been more successful than other countries in integrating refugees from 2015 and 2016. She concludes that investing in language courses and qualifications is worthwhile for the state and the economy in the long term. For companies, for example, an entry-level qualification can pay off. This is an internship subject to social security contributions lasting at least 4 and at most 12 months. It is funded by the Employment Agency or the Job Center and can enable companies to find future employees.
A point of contact for companies too
There are two sides to the labor market: employees looking for work and companies that need workers. That is why the team of three women is also a „contact point for companies,” according to Ingrid Ritter. The integration managers are gradually building up a regional network with companies – for example, for events such as the job and training fair in Mössingen in May (see tun25041506). The next fair is already being planned for late fall. In discussions with companies, the integration managers can also point out language courses that can be taken alongside work. „That often helps,” says Tinatin Khidesheli.
Losing your job can be expensive
The current economic downturn is not making the team’s work any easier. And: According to the Federal Employment Agency, an upturn is „not in sight.” This can be a problem for asylum seekers who have worked for less than 12 months in the last 30 months and lose their job or resign. In many cases, they have to pay for their health insurance entirely themselves after losing their job (see tun25061005).
Companies need skilled workers
Nationwide, the unemployment rate in July 2025 was 6.3 percent (Baden-Württemberg: 4.5 percent, Reutlingen region: 4.7 percent, and Tübingen region: 3.7 percent). Some companies want to lay off employees. Nevertheless, the three advisors from the district office see rays of hope: „Companies need skilled workers,” says Rebecca Schümann. The team at the district office also provides support in becoming a skilled worker.
Contact person for Tübingen and the surrounding area (Dettenhausen, Kusterdingen, Kirchentellinsfurt, and Ammerbuch): Tinatin Khidesheli, phone 07071 / 207 6147, email: t.khidesheli@kreis-tuebingen.de; open consultation hours Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and by appointment;
For the Steinlachtal area (Mössingen, Ofterdingen, Dußlingen, Bodelshausen, Gomaringen, Nehren): Ingrid Ritter, phone 07071 / 207 6060, email: i.ritter@kreis-tuebingen.de, open office hours on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and by appointment;
For Rottenburg and the surrounding area (Starzach, Hirrlingen, and Neustetten): Rebecca Schümann, phone 07071 / 207 6058, email: r.schuemann@kreis-tuebingen.de, open consultation hours on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and by appointment.
Labor market figures Nationwide:Federal Employment Agency | Labor market July 2025
In Baden-Württemberg:
Federal Employment Agency | Labor market July 2025 BaWü
And in the Tübingen and Reutlingen employment office district:
Federal Employment Agency | Labor market July 2025 Tübingen region
tun25052005