Bashkim Maksutaj, Motor vehicle mechatronics technician

My story

In late 2016 Bashkim Maksutaj left his home, Kosovo, and followed his wife to Kiel, where she was already living. He had completed his training as a motor vehicle mechatronics technician in 2008 and already worked some years in his occupation. Therefore he assumed that he would have no problem finding work in Germany: “I

The 28-year-old quickly tackled the issue of recognition. The German language posed problems, despite a language course that he had completed in Kosovo and a further course in Germany. Therefore his wife researched on the internet and made an appointment at the competent authority, the Chamber of Crafts and Trades in Lübeck. During a consultation with Sabrina Dücker, Bashkim Maksutaj obtained all the necessary information and in January 2017 submitted his application for recognition. The procedure fees were paid for by the recognition grant from the central funding body at the Forschungsinstitut für Betriebliche Bildung (f-bb) [Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training]. “That was a great help to me. Without the recognition grant it would have been problematic,” says the 28-year-old.

In April Bashkim Maksutaj received the notification of partial equivalence of his occupation. In order to obtain full recognition he had to undertake a practical placement. He needed half a year to find a suitable opportunity. It was a difficult time for the ambitious young man: “All the documents that were required, plus the long waiting period, were a challenge. The language was also an obstacle for me. But my wife and the advisor at the Chambers of Crafts and Trades supported me.”

The practical placement proved to be a stroke of luck, as it was also trial work that offered the chance of permanent employment afterwards. However, there was one requirement: full recognition. Now the pressure was on. Once more he turned to his advisor at the Lübeck Chamber of Crafts and Trades and applied for recognition of full equivalence, which was granted to him shortly afterwards. “The experience with the Chamber of Crafts and Trades was very positive. I got a lot of useful information and my advisor helped to ensure that everything proceeded quickly.” The costs for the follow-up application were also paid for by the recognition grant.

In April 2018 Mr Maksutaj began working as a motor vehicle mechatronics technician at a well-known company, though not as part of a practical placement. An interview at another location had arisen spontaneously, during which the 28-year-old was able to make a good impression with his skills and commitment. He is now quite satisfied and looks forward to the job: “It’s a better life for me now. I feel integrated.” He has already set his next goal: He would like to attain the advanced training qualification as master motor vehicle mechatronics technician. Thanks to obtaining recognition nothing now stands in the way of this goal.

The conversation with Bashkim Maksutaj took place in November 2017. During the recognition procedure he received advice and support from the Lübeck Chamber of Crafts and Trades. The costs for the recognition procedure were paid for as part of the recognition grant.

My procedure in brief