Vietnam Project
Germany is in desperate need of carers for the elderly. Experts have calculated that changing demographics mean that by 2030, 3.4 million people will require care. If fundamental changes aren't made there will be half a million vacancies in the sectors.
A Professional Career in Germany
A way to bridge this gap would be to bring in foreign workers. The ESO has been running a training programme in Vietnam through it's Euro Akademie institutes since 2014/15.
There is a strong diplomatic bond between Germany and Vietnam when it comes to the export of knowledge. In addition, Vietnam has an excellent education system and 94% of the population is literate. Vietnam is a country with a young population, 94% of it's residents are were born after 1975, by comparison Germany alongside Japan has the world's oldest population.
Young foreigners have been earmarked to fill the aforementioned roles, as a result, the ESO started it's unique program at the Euro Akademie institutes in Pößneck and Jena.
In 2019 the first trainees passed their final exams at the Euro Akademie institutes in Pößneck and Jena. Along with grades and certificates they have also signed their employment contracts. When we congratulate them on qualifying as carers for the elderly, we are not just talking about luck or chance. These people have made a considered professional decision to choose Germany as a professional destination and have performed impressively.
A Long and Windy Road
Let's look back at when the Vietnamese students came to us. On the evening of the 4th of September 2015, 36 Vietnamese students arrived at the Euro Akademie Pößneck by bus. On the 13th of May 2016, another bus carrying a further 18 Vietnamese arrived in Jena. At this point, none of us would have wanted to talk about the first or third year of training. We could tell by the look in their eyes and from their facial expressions that they were curious, insecure, fearful and had lots of questions for us. They were our pilot scheme in Thuringia and we were also curious, insecure, scared and full of unanswered questions. This is exactly what bonded us. Their life and training started with a language course which they completed successfully and earned a B2 language certificate. At this point, we wouldn't have dreamt of sharing any important information without an interpreter. I was and still am amazed by the conversations I had with some of the graduates yesterday because we talked as if there had never been any communication problems. Brilliant.
Of course, the main reasons for the student's success are their hard work and talent. However, they also have to thank the people who supported them throughout their training, helped them develop as people and helped them qualify. This success should also be credited to all of the teachers, vocational trainers, carers and care home managers.
It was a long and windy road for the trainees, as well as the others involved with them during the time, sadly some didn't make it. There were highs and lows along the way and there were times when the destination seemed a long way off.
Our project partners formed the cornerstone of the project. Projects like these wouldn't be possible without them providing suitable accommodation, well paid training courses and helping in dealing with the authorities when it came to visas and work permits.