Nominate your company for the intercultural business award!
It is often the large companies that are associated with successful recruitment of skilled workers from abroad and local integration. But small businesses and micro-enterprises in particular also make an important contribution with their commitment, often on a voluntary basis. For example, they provide internships to promote long-term entry into the economy in Jena or the region.
And this is where you come into the picture: Do you know entrepreneurs who are particularly committed to helping people with a migration background? Then tell us about it! This year, the nomination phase for the i-work Praxis Award has already ended, but you can contact us at any time and let us know your nomination request.
JenaWirtschaft and Sparkasse Jena-Saale-Holzland want to show and make visible which examples are worthy of imitation.
As a thank you and recognition to committed and creative businesses Sparkasse Jena-Saale-Holzland provides prize money of up to €1,000 gross (max. €100 per employee). The aim is to realise a joint, regional event for all team members in order to strengthen motivation and cohesion for the future.
The i-work Praxis Award 2022 will be presented at the i-work Business Award 2022 ceremony on 7 December 2022.
Things to know about the nomination
It is simple! Answer three questions about your nominated company in our online questionnaire or via PDF by 18 September 2022. All entries will be reviewed by the i-work Business Award Jury and the winner will be announced at the i-work Awards Ceremony on 7 December.
We will introduce the nominees through press work, articles in our Welcome Blog and via our social media channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram).
- Many entrepreneurs make an important contribution to integration with their offers and commitments. For example, through very practical help in arranging internships for internationals, or special team events that promote intercultural openness. We want to make these examples visible and encourage others to follow suit.
- We are happy to publicise the nominated company or dedicated individual. In this way, their achievements are recognised and the conditions for international professionals in Jena and in the companies continue to improve.
- In addition, there is prize money of up to 1,000 euros gross for a team event of the winning company. The prize money is provided by Sparkasse Jena-Saale-Holzland.
Since 2017, companies and businesses from Jena and the region can apply for the intercultural business award. The i-work Business Award honours exemplary commitment to the integration of international employees in the company and the entire region. The innovative concepts and measures that will be made visible during the award ceremony are intended to inspire imitation and make a contribution to the future viability of the business location as a whole.
Since 2021, nominations are also possible for the first time, which also honour voluntary commitment in the area of intercultural opening.
To the i-work Business Award from JenaWirtschaft
Bertram Pelzer – PELZER Maschinenbau und CNC-Zerspanungstechnik GmbH
Mr Pelzer supports international trainees and skilled workers in his company in finding accommodation, establishes contacts between employees and helps with many large and small everyday challenges. This leads to international professionals committing to Jena for the long term and wanting to build a new home here for themselves and their families. Bertram Pelzer was nominated by Kindersprachbrücke Jena e. V.
In this interview, he explains how tradition and innovation work together in his company and what role international experts play in this. In addition, trainee Rajan Verma has his say. Despite the language barrier, he can always count on a sympathetic ear from Mr Pelzer for questions and problems.
Fagus Pauly – UnternehmenDigital GmbH
With his digitalisation company, Fagus Pauly follows the motto “Everyone is welcome who wants to achieve something – regardless of origin.” He implements this, for example, through appreciative communication and consideration for other cultural or religious holidays. Fagus Pauly was nominated by its employees Mohammed Benziane and Ben Bawey.
Sven Heubel – Heubel Ihr Friseur in Jena GmbH
At Sven Heubel, the young Syrian hairdresser apprentice Ragheed Almutlak continued his apprenticeship and now works there as an employee. Sven Heubel supported Ragheed in particular with patient explanations of the subject matter and a large portion of motivation to continue pursuing his dream even if he had problems with the language or finding a place to live. Sven Heubel was nominated by Uwe Lübbert fromKreishandwerkerschaft Jena Saale-Holzland-Kreis (KHS).
Ramona Scheiding
+49-3641-87300-36
ramona.scheiding@jena.de