ibu institut für berufsbildung und umschulung gmbh
FoodConnect
Strengthening workplace integration for skilled workers from non-EU countries
At a glance
FoodConnect strengthens workplace integration for skilled workers from non-EU countries in the meat-processing industry.
Questions & advice
Do you have questions? Get in touch; we are happy to help.
Your contact
You can reach the ibu team at 038757 5070 or by email.
Practical support for meat-processing businesses in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district
Finding workers is difficult. Keeping them over the long term is often harder.
In the meat-processing industry, demanding requirements, shift work, time pressure and international teams meet every day. Many businesses already employ staff from non-EU countries or would like to recruit international workers and skilled professionals. Successful collaboration, however, needs more than a signed employment contract.
It needs guidance, mutual understanding, trust and workplace structures that do more than induct people: they genuinely include them.
If any of this sounds familiar, FoodConnect was developed for exactly these situations. The project helps businesses address them and build supportive structures.
Integration happens in everyday working life
Integration does not happen in strategy papers. It happens in the changing room, during breaks, on the production line, at shift changes, in conversations with managers and when the first misunderstanding arises.
This is where it becomes clear whether people feel safe, know what is expected, can ask questions and become part of the team.
FoodConnect therefore starts directly in everyday operations. Working with businesses, we develop practical solutions suited to local processes.
What FoodConnect offers businesses
Make it easier to get started
International employees need clear guidance from the start. FoodConnect helps businesses structure onboarding, responsibilities and information in an understandable way.
Improve communication
Plain language, visual aids and clear work instructions can reduce misunderstandings, improve safety and make collaboration noticeably easier.
Strengthen leadership
Managers and shift leaders are key to successful integration. They receive ideas and tools for culturally sensitive communication, clear instruction and confident handling of challenging situations.
Bring teams together
Mentoring, buddy schemes and welcome guides can help build trust, make questions easy to ask and integrate new employees into working life more quickly.
Encourage retention
People who feel informed, understood and included are more likely to stay. FoodConnect helps businesses turn short-term employment into long-term prospects.
Our programme
We offer modular advice, courses and training for participating businesses.
Content is tailored to workplace realities rather than supplied off the shelf. Depending on needs, the focus can include:
Collaboration & communication
- Intercultural cooperation at work
- Clear communication in everyday working life
Onboarding & leadership
- Structured induction and onboarding
- Culturally sensitive leadership
Mentoring & HR practice
- Mentoring, buddy schemes and welcome guides
- HR practices that support integration
Language & funding
- Language support and everyday guidance
- Advice on funding options
This creates support that moves beyond theory and works where businesses need it.
Who is FoodConnect for?
FoodConnect is designed for small, medium-sized and larger meat-processing businesses in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district that employ staff from non-EU countries or want to attract and retain international workers and skilled professionals over the long term.
It is aimed particularly at:
- Business leaders
- HR professionals
- Managers and shift leaders
- Employees in international teams
Your benefits: why get involved?
- Good integration saves time.
- Clear communication improves safety.
- Managers' workloads are eased.
- Teams become stronger when everyone understands what matters.
- Retention begins when people feel taken seriously, well supported and needed.
FoodConnect brings structure to integration
Not every business needs the same solution. But every business benefits from clear processes, reliable contacts and collaboration that works in international teams too.
FoodConnect helps you shape integration actively rather than leave it to chance, with practical support that fits your operations and focuses on long-term retention.
FoodConnect – Project leaflet
Information about the project and our programmes, available to read and download (German).
pdf · project leaflet (German)
Information about the project, our programmes and contact options.
Locations & contacts
Would you like to learn more about FoodConnect or involve your business? We are happy to advise you.
Thomas Knüppel
Neustadt-Glewe
Ludwigsluster Str. 3
19306 Neustadt-Glewe
Christopher Cronin
Hamburg
Ludwigsluster Str. 3
19306 Neustadt-Glewe
