New Beginnings in Frankfurt
The newly launched documentary series "Welcome to Frankfurt - New in the City" follows the lives of eight individuals embarking on fresh starts in this vibrant metropolis. Among them is Zakaria Ben Moussa, a former social educator and accomplished athlete from Morocco, who is now making strides in the city’s waste management sector.
Zakaria refers to his job as a form of sport, noting that he walks an impressive 30,000 steps and covers 25 kilometers on foot during each shift. Since September 2025, he has been undergoing training with FES, the Frankfurt Waste Management and Service Company, as part of a year-long qualification program aimed at becoming a driver and loader in waste disposal. Currently, he is focused on obtaining his truck driver's license, and this significant milestone is being documented by a film crew, as he is one of the featured individuals in the new hr documentary series that highlights the experiences of newcomers in Frankfurt.
The Challenges of Adaptation
As he prepares for his first driving lesson, Zakaria is reminded by his instructor, Marco Neun, of the importance of safety, emphasizing the need to use all the steps and grips available when entering the large truck. Zakaria, who has already achieved his Class B and C driver’s licenses as part of the qualification program, admits he feels a bit anxious about the many rules he must adhere to before even beginning to drive. Remarkably, he has only been in Germany for a year.
Ben Moussa learned about this program while in Morocco, where his family still resides. He holds degrees in philosophy and social pedagogy and previously worked at a school while also competing as a middle-distance runner for the Moroccan national athletics team until an injury curtailed his career. Although he found his job at the school meaningful, he struggled with low wages. This financial pressure ultimately led him to relocate to Frankfurt in April 2025 with just a suitcase and a backpack.
Leaving his country, family, and profession was a challenging decision for him, but Zakaria was determined to build a stable life for himself, complete with a home, a car, and opportunities for travel—something he felt was unattainable in Morocco. Now, he speaks fluent German and has passed an IHK examination, expressing pride in his achievements with a smile.
Despite being a newcomer, Zakaria has never felt out of place in the culturally diverse city of Frankfurt. In his leisure time, he enjoys exploring the numerous restaurants offering a variety of cuisines. He has even become proficient in sushi dining, teaching friends and colleagues the art of using chopsticks. Residing in a shared apartment in the Fechenheim district, he frequently visits the nearby Bornheim area, where he has found camaraderie with other Moroccans, many of whom hail from Nador, his hometown by the Mediterranean Sea. While he misses his family and the ocean, he has found a warm community in Frankfurt.
On his waste collection routes, he often communicates with his FES colleagues without words, preferring to pick up residual waste over organic waste, which he humorously claims is more enjoyable. His interactions with the local residents have been positive, as he is pleasantly surprised by the respect accorded to waste collectors in the city.
Initially, Zakaria planned to save money and return to Morocco, but after becoming well-integrated into life in Frankfurt, he now envisions establishing a family here. The qualification program, which spans 12 months, includes critical components such as vehicle maintenance, obtaining the proper licenses, responding to accidents and incidents, and understanding operational planning and logistics. Applicants must already possess a Class B driver’s license and be physically fit and open-minded, with a solid grasp of the German language and basic math skills. Successful participants will complete three of the four components to qualify for registration with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for the final examination, ultimately earning a vocational certificate as a professional driver for freight transport. The program starts every March and September, offering a pathway to a stable career in Frankfurt.
As reported by hessenschau.de.
