
The name says it all: “¡Adelante!” means “Forward!”—and that’s exactly the spirit behind the project. While many young people in Spain struggle to find job opportunities despite having completed their training, Germany is facing a shortage of skilled workers. ¡Adelante! builds a bridge—practically and effectively. Participants have the chance to enhance their primarily theoretical training through what's known as a "skills adaptation program." This allows them to gain hands-on experience in German companies and obtain full recognition of their qualifications.
First steps at Leadec
David began his new role in Garbsen on April 1, 2025, and Adelin will join him in June. Both had already spent a trial week at the site in March, getting to know the team, the projects, and the workplace. Since then, it's been clear: it's a great fit.
“A shortage of skilled workers is also a problem at Leadec; we have a lot of vacancies. We were immediately convinced by the ¡Adelante! concept, as we can give young people the practical experience they need and assign them to our teams right from the start,” says Ada Margineanu, who is responsible for international recruiting at Leadec. “This makes them fit for the German job market and we gain motivated new employees.”
At the Garbsen site—where Leadec serves clients like Volkswagen and Continental—David is working on projects in the fields of energy and building technology, side-by-side with the international team led by site manager Luca Mastroberardino. At the same time, he is attending a weekly German course focused on technical language to further strengthen his already solid language skills.
Integration as a key to success
For site manager Olaf Goldenstein, one thing is clear: “We are delighted that we have been able to win David and Adelin for our team. With us, they can acquire the necessary specialist knowledge from the ground up and start working for exciting customers straight away. It is important that we integrate them well and develop them beyond the project.”
After all, a successful start in Germany involves more than just a job. Things like finding housing, getting around, dealing with local authorities, and making the most of free time all need to be taken care of. This is where the Caritas Association of Hanover comes in—with Spanish-speaking staff and a central role in supporting participants. Other partners include the Hanover Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) and the International and Specialized Services Division (ZAV).
Moving forward—together
With initiatives like ¡Adelante!, Leadec shows that international professionals are not only welcome but actively supported and guided. For David and Adelin, this marks the beginning of a new professional chapter—and for Leadec, it’s another step toward tackling the skilled labor shortage with creativity and compassion.