German luxury car manufacturer Daimler has opened its doors to refugees, setting up a paid internship programme in partnership with the German Federal Employment Agency and the Stuttgart Job Centre.

The company has announced it is launching 14-week “bridge internships”, starting 9 November with 40 trainees at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Stuttgart. 

The refugees will be taught basic practical skills for work in industrial production and will also attend German courses each day. 

The company hopes to extend the programme to other Mercedes-Benz plants and train several hundred refugees.

Participants who have successfully completed the programme will be referred to other companies, temporary employment agencies or professional training programmes.

In a statement, Wilfried Porth, Daimler AG board member responsible for HR and director of labour relations, IT and Mercedes-Benz vans, said immigration was an opportunity for Germany, adding the internships “offer an unbureaucratic entry into the labour market”.

• Want to comment on this story? The Comment box is at the bottom of the page. Sorry for the glitch but just scroll right down and share your opinions!