From recruitment to onboarding: how to successfully integrate international specialists
Language, living space, feeling at home: At the "Company Welcome Guides" workshop on Thursday, questions relating to a successful arrival in the Münsterland and in the company took centre stage. The Onboarding@Münsterland service of Münsterland e.V. developed the programme together with the business development agencies of the Münsterland districts and the Münsterland Employment Agency. The target group are employees in the HR sector who would like to recruit skilled workers from third countries or have already gained initial experience in this field.
"Together with our partners, we are offering the workshop as a good introduction for companies to prepare for the recruitment and employment of international skilled workers. Because we need them," said Monika Leiking, Head of the Onboarding@Münsterland service. Together with Sonja Raiber from Wirtschaftsförderungs- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft Steinfurt mbH (WESt mbH), Leiking opened the workshop in the Kötterhaus district educational garden in Steinfurt.
The workshop topics included how teams can be sensitised to cultural diversity and what framework conditions new colleagues need. "An international employee in one company asked what a cold rent was, as it was already cold in Germany anyway. This joking question shows us how many hurdles there are in everyday life when people from abroad arrive in Germany. A lot of everyday things need explaining," says Leiking.
Julia Dolscheid and Valentina Klass from the Municipal Integration Centre (KI) in the Steinfurt district used interactive formats in the Kötterhaus to show how cultural differences can be actively used as a strength. Tamara Brinkmann and Yasemin Örlü Köksal from Lernen fördern e. V. in the district of Steinfurt presented various support programmes for immigrants as a further example of support in the region.
Participant Yanina Treiyer, Integration Manager at Klinikum Westmünsterland, said of the workshop: "The atmosphere, the dialogue with others and the structured tips and checklists are very helpful for my work."
After the event, participants will still have the opportunity to share their own experiences and strategies, or discuss existing issues, with "Company Welcome Guides" from other workshops at online meetings and in a closed LinkedIn group. The aim of the project network is to establish a Münsterland-wide network.
The next workshop is currently in preparation and will take place in Münster in early 2026. Interested parties can already register now with Monika Leiking(leiking@muensterland.com) without obligation.
With the "Welcome Internationals" website, Münsterland e.V. provides practical tips and contact points for living and working in Münsterland.
www.muensterland.com/internationals
www.muensterland.com/welcome-internationals
