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Salah’s journey from Gaza to Leipzig
Salah is an accomplished Industrial Engineer whose 15 year career spans quality management, supply chain optimization, technical sales, and renewable energy project coordination. With an MSc in Engineering Management, he has delivered practical solutions, supporting stakeholders, reviewing specifications, and contributing to projects in solar and green energy as well as water infrastructure across Palestine, Jordan, and Egypt.
But more than a year ago, Salah’s life was abruptly reshaped by the deteriorating situation in Gaza. Overnight, the stability he had built—professionally and personally—was replaced by uncertainty. He and his family fled to Egypt. Salah applied for visas in multiple countries, seeking a safe and stable environment where he could rebuild. Germany was the first to respond.
When Salah arrived in Germany in September 2025, he did so alone. His family had to remain behind temporarily, and he lacked both a support network and familiarity with German systems. Salah encountered limited early access to German language learning, administrative processes that are difficult to navigate, and a job market where even international professionals often struggle without local experience or language skills.
Salah discovered jobs4refugees through a LinkedIn campaign promoting the AI Opportunity Fund—an initiative aimed at providing foundational AI skills to workers facing structural disadvantages. Seeking direction and professional orientation, he joined the mentoring programme. His early engagement stood out. Salah’s case revealed a critical gap: skilled professionals arriving through new migration pathways often need structured support immediately—not months later.
Through personalized mentoring, Salah gained insight into the German labour market, application expectations, and recruitment norms. He applied widely and progressed through interview processes with Hugo Boss Supply Chain and Siemens. While some opportunities were out of reach due to language requirements, he remained steadfast. With the program’s support, Salah recently secured a Quality Assurance role at a small civil engineering company in Leipzig, progressing successfully through multiple interview stages.
Parallel to his job search, Salah committed to intensive language learning, enrolling in a five evenings a week course. Today, he focuses on stabilizing his life in Germany, navigating remaining administrative steps, and working toward family reunification.