Chemnitz_zieht_an_Magazin_2024_englisch

tion Department), explain why a job with
the City was her biggest goal and how
she achieved it.
What languages do you speak?
Alkurdi: Arabic, English and German.
After I arrived here, it took six months
to get a place on an integration course.
Six months of waiting! Then I reached
level B1 within a year. That means you
can communicate quite well in German.
Then, in August 2016, I started an apprenticeship
as an office management
assistant.
From English literature to a commercial/
administrative job: why the change?
Alkurdi: Despite achieving very good
grades in high school, I was only recognised
as having a school leaving certificate
here. To resume my studies and be
authorised to do so, I would have had to
pass a few exams at the Studienkolleg
Sachsen in Leipzig. However, due to my
family ties to Chemnitz, moving was out
of the question. That’s why I decided on
the apprenticeship instead.
How did you end up at Chemnitz City
Council?
Alkurdi: I was a client of the social welfare
office myself. The idea of working
for the council came to me through an
acquaintance. Her tip gave me the idea
to apply. I wanted to be treated fairly. Be
at the same pay grade as my colleagues,
like all other Germans. I fought for
that; that was my big goal. I wanted to
seize the opportunity and accepted the
challenge.
It didn’t work right away, but after my
second attempt, I received the letter
saying “Welcome to the city administration.”
That was in July 2020. I then
moved to the social welfare office in August
2022 via various other offices and
workplaces. My boss made sure that I
had long-term prospects here.
What exactly is your area of responsibility?
Alkurdi: What exactly do I do? I draw up
notifications for people so that they are
officially registered and
then also receive money,
etc. Because nothing
works in Germany
without a registration.
Weinert: We are generally
responsible for
finding accommodation
for homeless people,
i.e. for asylum seekers
assigned to the city of
Chemnitz. But also for
German citizens who
are homeless and need
help. We provide them
with a place to sleep in
our housing project, for example in the
Nachtquartier.
You have been in Germany for eight
years now. Is there anything that still
impresses you?
You have been in Germany for eight
years now. Is there anything that still
impresses you?
Alkurdi: The system. Actually, that word
says it all. It doesn’t exist in Syria. There
you pay a lot of money to get things organised.
Here there are laws and rules;
they are adhered to. Sometimes they
are a bit much. But you have peace of
mind and know what is right and wrong.
Mr Weinert, what stumbling blocks do
you see in the integration of foreign
skilled workers?
Weinert: Language skills are the be-all
and end-all. In administration, the official
language is German. It is therefore essential
to be able to communicate well.
As far as our work is concerned, administrative
German can be a stumbling
block.
What have you learned from Ms Alkurdi?
Weinert: She represents an exemplary
career path in Germany. There are
probably not many people who manage
to make such a career for themselves
in such a short time. Starting out
in administration involves more than
just speaking German because of the
legalities and the administrative language.
She is incredibly ambitious. Out
of 17 employees in the department, Ms
Alkurdi is the only person with a migrant
background. We chose her because she
simply impressed us. With her knowledge,
her cheerful nature, her willingness,
her achievements and because she fits
into the team.
How does the City of Chemnitz sell itself
as an attractive employer?
Weinert: We are now in competition
with other administrations, institutions
and businesses. That is why we have
worked so hard on establishing our
employer brand. Our aim is to highlight
the benefits of a job in the public sector
both internally and externally. Among
other projects, there will be a completely
new online presence for the City of
Chemnitz soon, which will include a new
careers website, for example. This will be
advertised on all common social media
channels, job exchanges, specialised
media, etc.
Applications in German to:
karriere@stadt-chemnitz.de
WEITERE INFOS:
Stadt Chemnitz Hauptamt
chemnitz.jobs/stadtverwaltung
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