[Editor's note: Article republished with permission from Sean Hillyer. Hillyer is a U.S. Army veteran heading such initiatives as career fairs geared toward Americans living in Schweinfurt after garrison closure. He currently lives in Schweinfurt.]
SCHWEINFURT, Germany (Feb. 4, 2014) -- A short time ago, years of speculation finally solidified into concrete fact: U.S. Army Garrison Schweinfurt, which has been home to thousands of American military and civilian personnel since the end of World War II, will cease to exist as of October 2014.
It is something that we all saw as inevitable, and yet it came as a shock to everyone. In the weeks and months following the decision, Soldiers and civilians who had made Schweinfurt their home and wished to remain here were forced to ask themselves some tough questions. What can I do to make my transition easier? What resources are available to me? Will there be events and briefings to inform me of my rights and obligations as a future resident of a foreign nation? How will I support my family?
It was in response to these questions that Schweinfurt Expats was formed. The goal of Expats is to provide information, support and opportunities for Americans whose goal is to live and work in Schweinfurt.
Over the past year we have built partnerships with organizations such as the city's Integration Council, the Wirtschaftsjunioren Schweinfurt, ACS and others in order to create events, educational opportunities and connections for community members facing transition.
Over the past year we have had the pleasure of assisting scores of Soldiers, civilians and Family members with the difficulties that they are facing due to base closure. Visitors to last June's "Settling in Germany" seminar received information on obtaining a visa to live and work in Germany, on where they can take classes to improve their German skills, and on what resources are available to them at Germany's Federal Employment Agency.
Hundreds of visitors attended our German-American Job Fair and had the chance to engage local employers, hand out resumes, and receive invaluable information about the job market in Schweinfurt.
Last fall, ZF Sachs -- one of the largest employers in the region -- and Schweinfurt's Handwerkskammer invited Schweinfurt Expats to bring groups to their respective open houses. This allowed us to introduce members of the community to the training and employment programs that each institution has to offer. These events, coupled with employment readiness classes conducted by ACS and the city's ABBI-Projekt, have allowed us to help prepare community members for employment on the German economy.
Last year's momentum continues to carry us into 2014. The employment readiness courses from ACS and the ABBI-Projekt will continue through the spring and we also offer free resume assistance through our partnership with the Wirtschaftsjunioren (WJ) Schweinfurt. Anyone may submit to us a copy of their German Lebenslauf or Bewerbung, and one of the business professionals from the WJ will review it and provide personal feedback free of charge.
We are also working with the WJ to create a program specific to American visitors to the Schweinfurt Berufsinformationstag (BIT) at the Mercure Hotel March 22. The 2013 BIT saw thousands of visitors interacting with over 80 companies from around Franconia. This year's event promises to be even better, and we are excited about the opportunity to be a part of the experience.
From now until closure and beyond, Schweinfurt Expats is dedicated to assisting any member of the community whose goal is to live and work in Schweinfurt. We invite you to join us, take advantage of our programs, and make sure that you are prepared for the next chapter in your life.
If you have questions or need more information, call 0157-3951-3284 or send an email to Sean.hillyer@live.com.
Upcoming ACS Classes listed in the "Meetings & Training" calendar include:
• Financial Assistance for Job Seekers -- Feb. 6, 6 p.m.
• German Job Interview -- Feb. 20, 6 p.m.
• Financial Assistance for Job Seekers -- March 6, 6 p.m.
• Germany's Dual Education System -- March 20, 6 p.m.
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