The Federal Ministry of Labor, the Federal Employment Agency, the German Association of Districts, and the German Association of Cities aim to pave the way for women with migration experience to obtain qualifications, training, employment subject to social insurance contributions, and self-employment that provides a secure livelihood. More than 140 organizations will take on this task. The federal program "My Turn" is funded by the European Social Fund (ESF). (Photo: © Dinis Tolipov/123RF.com)

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Women with migration experience should get started with "My Turn"

5 January 2023

The ESF-funded "My Turn" program is designed to support women with migration experience on their path to qualification, training, and employment. It will be implemented nationwide by over 140 organizations.

This article is part of the special feature on women in the trades.

The federal program " My Turn, " funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), is aimed at newly immigrated women who are (formally) low-skilled and have increased support needs , according to a press release from the Federal Employment Agency (BA). It can prevent women with migration experience from becoming dependent on welfare benefits in the long term, as the first few years after arriving in Germany are crucial for future employment and success in the labor market. "My Turn" is designed to pave the way for them to access qualifications , training , and employment subject to social security contributions.

According to the Federal Employment Agency (BA), over 140 organizations across Germany are being funded by "My Turn" in nearly 70 individual or collaborative projects . These projects aim to provide women with migration experience with targeted , life-situation-oriented support , referrals , and continuous, confidential, and individualized guidance . In practice, this means actively reaching out to participants both digitally and in person, and initially, during the first funding round until the end of 2025, receiving individualized support from experienced professionals on their path to the labor market. This support will include empowerment activities , advice on balancing family and career , childcare options , and assistance in securing internships and jobs.

Particular emphasis should be placed on the qualification of the participants . Therefore, close integration of the program with the standard instruments of employment agencies and job centers is being pursued. In addition, at over 20 pilot locations, mothers with migration experience will be supported by a "childcare guidance service" to help them find and access regular childcare.

The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs , the Federal Employment Agency , the German Association of Rural Districts and the German Association of Cities have committed themselves in a cooperation agreement to working towards ensuring that more women with migration experience than before successfully participate in (qualification-oriented) qualification measures or complete (part-time) training, make use of childcare services for their children and take up employment that is primarily subject to social security contributions or start a self-employed business that secures their livelihood.