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This year, Kiron celebrates the successful wrap-up of the final Wir für Chancen cohort! For the past three years, the program has provided one-on-one coaching to people with refugee and migration backgrounds across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, supporting newcomers as they navigate new job markets. Through personalized sessions with professionals from local companies, participants received guidance to explore career opportunities, sharpen their job application skills, and expand their professional networks.
As Wir für Chancen concludes, its legacy continues through SkillsForward, a new program enabled by LinkedIn's Future of Work Fund. SkillsForward builds on the lessons learned from Wir für Chancen while expanding opportunities for learners to develop both the in-demand soft skills and AI skills that will help them thrive in the modern workplace. Read on to hear from our past learners and learn more about SkillsForward!
Mehmet, a refugee from Türkiye, arrived in Germany with a strong background in mathematics. “Before Kiron, I was teaching math and helping students, but I became increasingly interested in technology and cybersecurity,” he says. Motivated to explore this new passion, Mehmet began self-studying, but he struggled to find the right learning materials and guidance. Discovering Kiron and learning through the Kiron Campus was a huge support. “Kiron helped me to learn more and improve my skills in a clear and organized way," says Mehmet.
After signing up for Wir für Chancen, Mehmet had the opportunity to get tailored insights and advice from his coach. "The most beneficial aspect was the opportunity to improve my German language skills in a supportive and interactive environment," he says. “I significantly improved my German language skills and learned how to better approach interviews. This boosted my confidence and helped me prepare for job opportunities.” Thanks to Kiron, Mehmet has now worked as a cybersecurity analyst for over two years.
Hidayet heard about Kiron from friends after arriving in Germany as an asylum seeker from Türkiye, seeking learning opportunities. “Arriving in a new country and learning a new language was challenging, but I embraced these difficulties as opportunities to grow,” he says.
Through the Wir für Chancen program, Hidayet strengthened his German language skills, gained practical career guidance, and learned how to navigate applications and interviews. “The program was highly effective in preparing me for the labor market,” he reflects. “Most importantly, it offered targeted support with CVs and interviews, acting as a crucial bridge that accelerated my adaptation and allowed me to re-enter the workforce confidently. Thanks to Kiron’s structured support, integrating as a newcomer feels much easier. The challenges I’ve overcome have made me more resilient, and I’m excited to contribute my skills in this new chapter of my life.”
Forced to flee home due to political persecution, Ali* left behind his academic career to rebuild his life in Germany. Despite having a PhD in electrical engineering focused on renewable energy, continuing his professional path after displacement was far from easy. “It was extremely challenging, but I never gave up on education,” says Ali.
Through courses on Kiron Campus, Ali strengthened his English and German for the workplace and developed essential skills like time management and self-discipline. “Kiron allowed me to reconnect with education and move forward again,” he recalls. Through Wir für Chancen, Ali was matched with a coach who helped him understand how to adapt his academic background to the German job market and navigate workplace culture as a newcomer. “This guidance was invaluable and directly helped me land a position at Capgemini a year later,” he says.
Today, Ali works in Germany as a senior consultant in sustainability and e-mobility at Capgemini, where he continues to apply his expertise in renewable energy and his passion for lifelong learning. “Most importantly, Kiron helped me regain confidence after a period of uncertainty,” he reflects. “It showed me that even in difficult circumstances, learning can be a bridge to new opportunities and a meaningful life.”
The stories of Mehmet, Hidayet, and Ali demonstrate the impact of personalized support and accessible learning in building learners' confidence and readiness to take the next step in a new work environment. Over the past three years, the Wir für Chancen program has helped over 500 learners strengthen their skills, navigate the labor market, and successfully pursue meaningful careers.
As Wir für Chancen concludes, Kiron is launching SkillsForward to support refugees and migrants in developing the AI and soft skills essential for the future of work. With AI reshaping the workplace, SkillsForward helps learners combine technical expertise with uniquely human strengths.
The program will include two pathways, each eight weeks long and fully accessible from home, providing practical, self-paced learning for newcomers. The human skills pathway will focus on empathy, communication, adaptability, and problem-solving, helping learners grow their ability to connect, persuade, collaborate, and think critically. The AI pathway will cover machine learning, generative AI, prompt engineering, AI tools, industry-specific insights, and more.
Stay tuned for further announcements and updates on the new SkillsForward program!
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*Name changed for privacy
