The shortage of skilled workers is one of the biggest challenges for the economic development of the Görlitz district. To support companies in attracting and retaining skilled workers, the district is focusing on developing a welcoming culture. A further component of this strategy is the recently completed training program for "Welcome Guides.".
Over three workshop days on June 17, June 24 and July 1, 2026, representatives of regional companies, together with the educational institution Arbeit und Leben e. V. and speaker Anna Rothmann, addressed the question of how international specialists can be successfully supported in their daily work and integrated into companies in the long term.
The focus was not only on legal or organizational aspects, but above all on the interpersonal perspective. What challenges does a fresh start in a foreign country entail? How can companies overcome linguistic and cultural barriers? And what role does an open corporate culture play in the integration of new employees?
The participants engaged intensively with diverse life experiences and developed practical approaches for their daily work. It became clear that successful integration often begins with small gestures – clear communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to broaden one's perspective.
“The influx of international skilled workers is crucial for the economic future of our district. They are not just choosing a company, but a new home. With initiatives like the Welcome Guides and our Welcome Center, we are working together with regional businesses to create a welcoming culture. This makes it easier for them to settle in and helps retain talented individuals in the Görlitz district for the long term,” says District Administrator Dr. Stephan Meyer.
The training is part of the "Welcome on Tour" project, which is funded by the Skilled Workers Alliance. The aim is to make the welcoming culture in the Görlitz district visible, to further develop it, and to support companies and international skilled workers on their shared journey.
The Görlitz district is pursuing a holistic approach. Two years ago, the Welcome Center was opened as a central point of contact for international professionals, returning residents, and businesses. It provides support for settling into the region, connects people with relevant contacts, and offers information on topics such as housing, work, language, education, and leisure activities.
This service is complemented by the multilingual INTEGREAT app. It compiles important information for everyday life in the Görlitz district – from authorities and advice centers to language and educational opportunities and leisure activities – making it easier for newcomers to find their way around. Since its launch, the app has been accessed more than 40,000 times and is continuously being developed. With the new "tünews INTERNATIONAL" module, current multilingual news will also be available directly in the app.
Another component of the welcome strategy will be the digital "Welcome Walk." This interactive route will guide international professionals through Görlitz, Weißwasser, and Zittau to key locations, while simultaneously providing them with initial impressions of their new home. Companies can then use the "Welcome Walk" to support new employees during onboarding and facilitate their integration into the region. The "Welcome Walk" is scheduled to be published in September on the website https://www.welcome-kreis-goerlitz.de/ .
The "Welcome on Tour" project also visits and presents social, cultural, and community institutions in the district. Stops have already been made at places like the Hillersche Villa in Zittau and the Rabryka in Görlitz. The impressions gathered are published on the platform welcome-kreis-goerlitz.de, showcasing the diverse support services available in the district. On July 23, the tour will visit the Telux cultural center in Weißwasser.
The training of welcome guides is an important component of this overall strategy. A welcoming culture doesn't end with the first day of work. It develops where companies, administration, institutions, and society work together to ensure that people in the Görlitz district not only find career opportunities but also feel permanently at home.
