Deutsche Bahn (DB) is working with the German government to train refugees as railway engineers.

This month, the first intake of 15 refugees, hailing from eight different countries, began training in Munich to become electronics technicians.

DB has been developing the programme with the Federal Employment Agency (BA), the City of Munich, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Munich and Upper Bavaria (IHK) and the Institute for Economic Research for the last 18 months.

The 28-month course will help give refugees a “foothold” in Germany said Raimund Becker, Federal Employment Agency board member.

Germany is at the centre of the ongoing crisis in Europe, welcoming a huge influx of refugees in recent months. DB is hoping to use the situation to provide something of small solution to its current skills shortage. DB predicts that it needs to recruit around 7,000-8,000 people annually between now and 2020.

If successful, the trial will be extended around Bavaria. DB Netz, DB Fahrwegdienste and DB Regio have also created a course for young refugees called ‘Chance plus’.

Of the first 15 to enrol, some have only been in the country for several months. As well as receiving a technical education, the qualification scheme includes a four-month language course.

Dr Josef Amann, head of vocational training at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Munich, said: “The IHK Munich supported this project from the deep conviction that education and employment are the best and fastest way to integrate refugees.”