“Audi is helping to integrate refugees into the labor market and thus into society,” stated Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. “We see this as an investment in the future of our company – and our country.” The school project in Ingolstadt aims specifically at where there is the biggest need for non-state support; because the 18‑25-year‑old participants will probably be allowed to stay in Germany, but there is a lack of places in suitable schools. This makes it very difficult for the migrants to obtain the required qualifications through the regular school system. That is why Audi is playing a major role in financing the 24‑week teaching for the young refugees. As well as the normal lessons in an occupational college, the timetable focuses on German lessons and social work for the young people, some of whom are traumatized. Lessons will be held five days a week and eight hours a day.
The company is cooperating closely with the city of Ingolstadt, which has overall responsibility for the project. Students are selected by the Adult Education College and the Department for Social Welfare; the lessons are held at Vocational Training College I in Ingolstadt. “The project shows that together with the city, Audi is assuming responsibility for those issues that are of concern to the people here,” stated Mayor Dr. Christian Lösel. “Acquiring language skills and an education are two major elements of successful integration.”
Audi is supporting the city of Ingolstadt in this project with financing from the immediate‑aid fund that the company made available for refugee projects in September. At that time, the company approved a total amount of one million euros for its production locations. Audi employees can apply for financing from this fund for projects that they then implement together with charitable organizations.
In the region around Ingolstadt for example, employees are supporting numerous language courses, also with “tun.starthilfe für flüchtlinge” in Eichstätt. Together with “Offene Türen e.V.” in Schrobenhausen, they plan to produce a theater play with young migrants. Employees in Neckarsulm are helping to make donated bicycles roadworthy in cooperation with the city of Bad Rappenau. And they are involved in the integration of unaccompanied underage refugees for the Caritas charity in Heilbronn. Audi employees are also providing help at the company’s site in Győr, Hungary: The local Red Cross there has received from the company an additional ambulance vehicle including equipment, and the refugee camp in Vámosszabadi is being made fit for the winter with the aid of Audi donations.