Senate allocates EUR 20 million for further training amid corona

7 January 2021

Measure targets unemployed and employees in companies hit by pandemic

The senate has allocated EUR 20 million for further education measures targeting the unemployed and employees in SMEs badly hit by the corona crisis, a press release said Wednesday (January 6, 2021). The measure is part of Hamburg's economic stabilization program HWSP, which the city initiated in the wake of the corona crisis. The programme complements federal measures and will come into force in the short term.

Promoting employee training, mitigating impact of crisis

Hopes are now high that employees can gain further qualifications and that the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on companies can be mitigated. The funds may help seal funding gaps in federal programs, said Andreas Dressel, Senator for Finance, and noted: "We want to do our utmost to help people, who have become unemployed because of corona, and to offer short-term support and to get them back into good and secure employment quickly. The EUR 20 million from the HWSP economic stabilization programme can help to set priorities specific to Hamburg in addition to measures by the German government and Federal Employment Agency. Our principle was, is and remains: 'We fight for every job'."

Support for unemployed and trainees

Trainees and unemployed persons can benefit from this latest measure which foresees boosting collaborative in-company training and would see companies work with employment trainers. Low-skilled workers are to receive further training in language skills and digital competencies. Debtor and social counselling services will be available for people in financial difficulties. The long-term unemployed are to receive a monthly grant for further training.

Corona crisis impacting labour market

Dr. Melanie Leonhard, Senator for Labour, noted: "Crisis as an opportunity does not sound particularly appealing, if you have just lost your job. Yet, we want to make the best out of the present difficult situation. That's why we're investing in people across Hamburg, who wish to use this period to prepare for the coming years and are keen to learn more." Unemployment in Hamburg has risen by around 30 per cent as a result of the corona crisis. Around 83,000 people in Hamburg were registered as unemployed in late November. Low-skilled and young people have been particularly badly hit by the pandemic's repercussions.

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Sources and further information

www.hamburg.de

Hamburg Economic Stabilisation Programme (HWSP)

The HWSP tool allows the senate to help companies weather the corona induced crisis and gives them long-term prospects. In 2021 and 2022, around EUR 900 million is to be channelled into various urban measures that will be effective in the short term or brought forward to help business in Hamburg exit the crisis. The programme focuses on the future topics of climate protection, mobility transition, digitalisation, research, education and innovation.