Migration and integration strengthen elder care in Saxony-Anhalt—that is the goal of the MIASA project at Magdeburg University of Applied Sciences. How can foreign nursing professionals help meet staffing needs, and how can they be successfully integrated in the long term? These questions are not only on the minds of Mr. Biere and Mr. Stein from MIASA; local companies in the care sector are also grappling with this issue time and again. For this reason, MIASA organizes local professional events for companies, with the first one taking place on March 11, 2026, in the Burgenlandkreis district. Under the title “Elderly Care Between Castle Walls and Vineyards,” the MIASA team—supported by Anja Reißmann from the WelcomeCenter Saxony-Anhalt as well as other local stakeholders—drew 40 participants to Naumburg, including companies in the care sector and representatives from relevant support and advisory organizations.
Companies were able to gather information through keynote presentations and at thematic discussion tables. In attendance were not only the advisory team from the IQ Network for the Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications in Healthcare, but also representatives from the Office of Immigration, the Employment Agency, and the NETWORK “Companies Integrate Refugees.”
For the state initiative “Fachkraft im Fokus,” Anja Reißmann from the WelcomeCenter Saxony-Anhalt and Peter Breier from the management consulting firm were on hand to offer their expertise to the companies. The questions at their table centered on key topics that the two consultants frequently address:
- How can immigrant skilled workers connect with their new community and begin to feel at home?
- What financial support options are available for employees who need further training?
- And what can companies do to help international skilled workers settle into the team?
The Median Clinic in Bad Kösen presented a welcome folder for international skilled workers that it developed in-house, offering valuable information on life in Germany—such as finding housing, doctors’ offices, government office hours, taxes, and insurance, as well as transportation and childcare.
The companies left the event with fruitful discussions, new ideas, and a wealth of information on local support structures.
