Close the Gap – CtG-MigHa – A new project to promote the labour market integration of immigrants

In order to support immigrants in their career prospects in retail, the CODIP which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education funded InnoVET PLUS project Close the Gap – CtG-MigHaThe joint project led by Central Office for Vocational Training in Trade (zbb) develops AI-supported consulting and training offers for immigrants to qualify for the trade labor market. At CODIP, the focus of work is on the development of a hybrid AI system and on the introduction of the European Classification of Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations (ESCO) in the area of professional training in the trade sector.

As in many sectors, the shortage of skilled workers is serious in retail. To counteract this, the retail sector, as a major trainer and employer, wants to give young and adult immigrants the chance to gain a foothold in the job market. However, inadequate language skills among migrants and the lack of systematic recording of their professional skills are the biggest obstacles to employment.

The InnoVET PLUS project CtG-MigHa, together with various project partners from research and vocational training, is developing a procedure based on ESCO, the European classification of skills, competences, qualifications and occupations, to document the educational history of immigrants. This allows their professional skills to be recorded even if no official certificates or diplomas are available. This makes it easier for employers to recruit suitable staff, as the profiles of the applicants become clearer.

In addition, a hybrid AI-supported recommendation system is being developed that offers the target group tailor-made support for the transition from language, integration and orientation courses to the labor market. For this purpose, existing educational offers are recorded using ESCO as the basis for the AI system.

In order to impart linguistic and trade-specific practical knowledge in a bundled manner, a blended learning offer tailored to the trade is also being developed. In addition, a qualification concept for teachers in trade educational institutions is being developed that deals with the recording of educational histories and the use of the AI recommendation system.

The project results will be implemented in retail over the long term and designed so that they can be transferred to other industries and target groups.

With the program InnoVET promotes the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) nationwide projects with the aim of increasing the attractiveness, quality and equivalence of vocational training. The program is carried out by Federal Institute for Vocational Training (BIBB).

Authors: Sandra Horeni, Dr. Jana Riedel