i-work Business Award honors successful integration

JenaWirtschaft and the University of Jena launch call for applications from regional companies

Companies that are committed to the successful integration of international team members can now once again apply for the i-work Business Award. The patron of the competition is the Thuringian Minister for Labor, Social Affairs, Health, Women and Family Heike Werner (Die Linke). This is the 6th time that the "Intercultural Prize for Jena and the Region" has been awarded to companies that specifically recruit foreign workers and welcome them into their day-to-day operations in an exemplary manner.

The Jena Economic Development Agency and the Friedrich Schiller University Jena honor this entrepreneurial commitment in a total of four categories: Large Companies, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), Crafts and Practice Award. Companies do not apply for the latter themselves, but are nominated, e.g. by their employees. New this year: As recognition and motivation for exemplary intercultural cooperation, Sparkasse Jena-Saale-Holzland will pay one hundred euros per team member, up to a total of 1,000 euros, as a grant for a team event to the winning company of the Praxis Award.

Sparkasse donates prize money for the first time

Large companies often have high financial and human resources at their disposal to recruit foreign specialists and support them on site,

explained Michael Rabich, Chairman of the Board of Sparkasse Jena-Saale-Holzland-Kreis.

With our prize money, we particularly want to honor the small companies that make an important contribution to integration with their commitment.

Among other things, they facilitate internships to help people from all over the world enter the regional world of work.

A commitment for which Wilfried Röpke, head of Jena's business development department, also expressed his thanks:

The Sparkasse knows as well as we do that cultural diversity in a team promotes innovation and global competitiveness. Regardless of whether it's a small craft business or a global high-tech corporation - different perspectives help to look at challenges from different angles and thus arrive at good solutions.

Award makes diversity in companies visible

Dr. Claudia Hillinger, Head of the International Office at Friedrich Schiller University Jena, also confirms that intercultural teams are often particularly productive:

International perspectives bring a new way of looking at things. This is why the University of Jena relies on teams that are as international and mixed as possible and promotes international and intercultural exchange.

It also advises its international students and supports them with a wide range of information on starting a career and career options in Thuringia in cooperation with the Economic Development Agency and Thuringian companies. It is the point of contact for both local companies and international students:

Our Career Point is both a contact point and a point of contact,

says Hillinger.

The i-work competition, which project manager Ramona Scheiding from JenaWirtschaft has been supporting for five years, is now well established:

More than 40 companies have applied in recent years and we have been able to award prizes to 12 committed companies. But even for those who may go home without first place, it is worth taking part.

According to Scheiding, the added value lies in exchanging ideas and reflecting on your own integrative activities. Companies of all sectors and sizes are invited to apply by 18.09.2022. All information can be found on the i-work Business Award website. The prize will be awarded on 07.12.2022.