VDI-Xpand

The general shortage of skilled workers in Germany is particularly evident in the engineering labour market. Nevertheless, migrant engineers in Germany continue to face difficulties in establishing themselves in the labour market and in society. With VDI-Xpand we would like to counteract both. As VDI – The Association of German Engineers it is part of our self-conception to serve as a contact point for all engineers in Germany enthusiastic about technology. In doing so, we by no means want to promote a brain drain in other countries, but rather support those engineers of foreign origin who are already in Germany through a collegial exchange at eye level and offer them a home.

As a sub-project of the Regional Integration Network NRW-West within the framework of the “Integration through Qualification” funding programme VDI-Xpand is generally limited to North Rhine-Westphalia. In individual cases, however, engineers from abroad who live in other federal states can also participate as mentees. We will be happy to review this with you.

This requirement does not apply to mentors. Although a residence in North Rhine-Westphalia would be desirable in terms of regional proximity, you are also welcome to register for participation as a mentor if your residence is outside of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Mentoring refers to a voluntary exchange and learning relationship between two or more people that is usually linked to a specific goal. The focus is on the support of mentees by more experienced mentors who share their wealth of knowledge and experience in an open and trusting exchange at eye level. Mentoring can be used and implemented in a variety of ways.

Within VDI-Xpand mentoring refers to the support of a small group of migrant engineers (mentees) in their integration into the labour market by a mentor. The exact focus of this support is determined by the mentoring groups themselves.

VDI-Xpand offers you a variety of opportunities. Together with your mentor and your mentoring group, you can work on the topics that are currently on your mind. Within this framework, you will gain insights into your industry-specific job market, benefit from the shared exchange of experiences and be accompanied in your professional and private plans. The accompanying programme also supports you in this regard and additionally expands your knowledge about working life in Germany. In addition, VDI-Xpand creates various opportunities to expand your professional and social network through on-site networking events, a visit to a career fair or company excursions.

As a mentor, you will support a small group of migrant engineers in their integration into the labour market and society and accompany them on this path for a period of 11 months. You will gain insights into mentoring methods and benefit from the mutual exchange of experiences in your mentoring group. In this way, you will also obtain insights into the professional world of other countries, be encouraged to self-reflect on your own career and strengthen your own counselling and intercultural skills.

Yes, you can also support us as a company. If you are interested in cooperating with us and/or your employees would like to become mentors, please contact us via e-mail to xpand@vdi.de. We look forward to hearing from you.

The mentoring programme requires participants to possess German language skills at minimum at B1-B2 level. Exchange in the mentoring groups as well as events will be conducted in German. Thus, all forms are provided in German.

After registration all registrants receive an invitation to a joint interview. After the end of the registration period and the completion of all interviews, the mentoring groups will be put together. As soon as this has been done and all registrants have confirmed their participation, participants will receive all further information by e-mail in January as well as an official invitation to the kick-off event in February.

We would like to emphasise at this point that we make every effort to enable all registrants to participate. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee a place - places will be allocated depending on the availability of mentors and matching.

After the registration deadline, the project team matches the mentoring groups based on the joint interviews and all available information. In this process, particular consideration is given to the professional interest and preferences of the participants and, in a second step, to their regional proximity.

No, a VDI membership is not necessary, neither for mentees nor for mentors. Mentees do, however, receive a free VDI membership for the duration of the mentoring programme.

No, participation is free of charge.

No, you definitely don’t! The mentoring programme is designed in such a manner (approx. 30 hours for the mentors and approx. 37 hours for the mentees over a period of 11 months) that both the mentees and the mentors can undertake the program without any problems, along with other commitments (job, studies, etc).

No. This is not something the mentor does. The aim of VDI-Xpand is to prepare you for the job search and application processes within the framework of the mentoring group meetings and the surrounding programme, and to support you with questions about professional life.