Schmalkalden, a small city in southern Thuringia, boasts a dynamic economy supported by 4 000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs). However, like many European regions, it faces a challenge: a shortage of skilled workers.

To address this issue and support the integration of foreign students, the local University of Applied Sciences launched the WORT project. Described as ‘in the DNA of the university’ by its president, Prof. Dr. Baier, the project aims to foster participation, build bridges, and embrace diversity.

Around 10% of Schmalkalden's population are students, with many hailing from other EU countries, North Africa, and South America. The WORT project offers these students support through the International Career Service (ICS). This includes online check-in sessions, individual consultations, and tutorial videos on working in Germany.

The ICS also provides mentoring, organises visits to local SMEs, hosts job fairs, and prepares students for job interviews. The goal is to help students feel at home in Germany, find jobs in the region, and share their positive experiences, thereby attracting more international students.

For successful integration, community support is crucial. The WORT project organises various activities, including workshops, photo competitions, and creative projects like Jazz Ensemble, painting workshops, and Kino to go, to bring students and locals together.

The project also helps local SMEs learn how to work with international graduates through modules on intercultural organisation development. This training helps both management and employees understand different cultural backgrounds.

The project has already helped many students, including Manas, who found his dream job: ‘I managed to get an internship at BMW in my dream area. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Career Service Team. I could not have done it without them.’

With many regions in Europe facing similar challenges with labour shortages and migrant integration, this project has the potential to be a model not only for Germany, but also the wider EU. The Project is supported by the Free State of Thuringia and the European Social Fund Plus.