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General
Africa Educational Trust (AET)
Information Forum and Refugee Mentoring (INFORM) project
This project gives refugees the opportunity to gain skills through voluntary work. Its newsletter, the 16+ Finder, researches and publishes details of education, training and advice services provided by refugee community organisations
Africa Educational Trust (AET)
This provides free education, training and employment advice to African refugee women and produces bulletins containing details of courses and provision (e.g. childcare) which are particularly suitable for women.
Basic Skills Agency, in partnership with Be Consultancy and the National Foundation for Educational research (NFER)
Have commissioned the Adult Basic Skills Strategy Unit to produce a suite of diagnostic assessment materials matched to national standards including the ESOL Curriculum, for use with adult learners.
Contact
Basic bank accounts
A Basic Bank Account has now been created following consultation with those working on social exclusion and in preparation for changes in benefits payments from JobCentre Plus. The basic bank account is ATM based and does not have an overdraft facility, but will accept direct debits and payments such as salary cheques. Following tightened security after 9/11 regarding the opening of accounts and the provision of personal identification, the BBA is working to extend the list of specified identity documents in order to prevent the exclusion of refugees and asylum seekers.
Council for Assisting Refugee Academics
Recently obtained Refugee Challenge Fund Grant to help refugee academics to return to quality employment.
Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)
This is a confidential advice service for businesses on equality. The website contains information about refugees and asylum seekers that includes definitions, employment rights and contact details for key organisations.
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
New Deal/Ethnic Minority Jobseekers
Arising from the Green Paper published in March 2001 entitled 'Toward Full Employment in a Modern Society', the Government is investing £15 million in new outreach activities by the New Deal Task Force to benefit ethnic minority job seekers, through voluntary and community based intermediary bodies. This is part of the Government's aim to equalise employment and unemployment rates regardless of ethnic origin. This service will be run until March 2004.
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
'Hard to help' refugee pilot scheme
This will provide £300,000 to help 100 refugees in early 2003 through initial stages of ensuring that they are accessing the appropriate benefits and a language and vocational assessment, up to establishing an employment and training plan and intensive language provision as required.
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Draft strategy on employment
The draft strategy provides an overview of different government departments' initiatives aimed at refugees and asylum seekers, and analyses the impact these have on their search for employment in the UK. The contribution that can be made by employers to enhance employment opportunities is also considered. The strategy outlines the needs of this group as identified by recent research and will include a section on the activities and policies that should be implemented to meet these needs. Consultation with various groups, including the National Refugee Integration Forum subcommittee on employment, adult education and training, is currently taking place on the first draft.
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
New Deal and Work Based Learning for Adults (WBLA) and improved ESOL pilots
Using a new basic skills ESOL curriculum and set in a work context, these aim to deliver labour market instruction and preparation and vocational/IT skills through Work Based Learning for Adults (WBLA) (over 25s) as an initial vehicle. They link in with colleges using the new ESOL curriculum e.g. City and Islington, Park Lane in Leeds, North Warwickshire College, Liverpool Community College.
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Goldsmiths College
Refugees: opportunities and barriers to employment and training research project
This research has now been completed and its findings and recommendations will feed into the DWP refugee employment strategy.
Contact Alice Bloch e:
This contains descriptions and comparisons of the different situations relating to permission to work for asylum seekers across European countries including an analysis of relevant sections in the European Draft Directive on Minimum Standards for the Reception of Applicants for Asylum in EU Member States; surveys of employment practices within ECRE member organisations and refugee assisting organisations; models of good practice and other information relating to employment and refugees in Europe.
New good practice models
The project is collecting new models of employer good practice which will be shown on the ECRE/ERF website. Please contact the project if you know of potential models that could be included. Models of good practice that ECRE has already come across are now available online.
Contact Saba Khan e:
Good Practice in the Reception and Integration of Refugees: networking across Europe
One strand of this work, headed by the Refugee Council, focuses on models of practice and policy implications. It also looks at approaches to employers and employment-related special measures for refugees.
This was set up in 1998 to promote employment for well-qualified displaced professionals who were finding it difficult to get jobs. It provides practical help through events and projects and seeks to influence government policy, where necessary, to dismantle obstacles to employment.
Contact Patrick Wintour e:
The ESF EQUAL Fund will allocate 365 million Euros (£233 million) to the UK over years 2000-2006. Seven of its eight themes are defined in the context of the four pillars of the European Employment Strategy and the eighth covers the specific needs of asylum seekers. EQUAL operates by bringing key partners in a geographical area together in Development Partnerships (DPs). Information on all Development Partnerships (DPs) can be accessed via the Equal Common Database (ECBD). There are currently 45 asylum seekers' DPs, each of which has to involve at least one EU partner who is leading an EQUAL DP. Action 1 plans were approved by member states in November 2001. Action 2, covering two or three years, started on May 15th 2002. The EQUAL Asylum Seekers European Thematic Group (ASETG) are prioritising employment and training issues and is developing a workplan which will include a number of European meetings in 2003-4 where EQUAL projects can meet to debate these issues. It is important to note that the recent Home Office ruling that removes the concession to work for asylum seekers who have not received a decision on their case after six months renders many asylum seekers ineligible for support from the ESF. However, the EQUAL information note of December 2002 states that asylum seekers may still be eligible for a certain level of EQUAL support, but only under Theme 1. This support, it states, should focus on enabling asylum seekers to play a more active role in society, and to enable those who are subsequently granted leave to stay to make a more rapid transition to the labour market. The note advises that intensive levels of support should only be provided after positive decisions have been made.
Contact EQUAL t: 0121 616 3660 (helpline) or 0121 616 3661 (information line) e: . Contact also David Hutson e: .
Framework for Regional Employment and Skills Action (FRESA), London
Collaborative approach to addressing London's skills shortages targeting refugees with health care and construction skills needed to meet extra demand over the next five years.
Hawk Plant Hire Limited
Training and employment programme
The Hawk Group (one of the leading hirers of construction equipment) in cooperation with North Shropshire College, have formed a specialised training and employment programme for refugees and asylum seekers with permission to work in the UK.
Contact Sarah Hayward at Employability e:
Home Office
National Refugee Integration Forum Subgroup on Adult Education, Training and Employment
This subgroup supports the work of the Home Office strategy for the integration of refugees in the United Kingdom. The integration strategy outlines cross-departmental activity to build successful lives and recognises that however integration is defined, refugees need to find work which makes effective use of their skills and experience, maximises their potential and provides an income for individuals and families. Its work is aimed primarily at people who have been given positive decisions on their asylum applications by the Home Office, but also takes into account the needs of asylum seekers before decisions are taken. Its membership is drawn from key stakeholders in the voluntary, public and private sectors. The Forum is in the process of drafting a document called Welcome to Britain that will contain information on employment and training in the UK and be included in a pack sent out to those receiving refugee status.
Contact Anne-Marie Trimblett e:
Refugees and employment pilot project
This organisation is developing a small pilot initiative that will introduce employment focused support to refugees. It is anticipated that the project will be delivered by a specialist external organisation with experience of working with refugees in an employment setting. The initiative is likely to provide support in relation to social needs, vocational and needs assessment, and ESOL.
Contact Sue Couldwell at Welfare to Work e:
Jobcentre Plus and Department for Work and Pensions
New multi-lingual leaflets
Jobcentre Plus has produced and translated into 35 languages a leaflet on its activities to accompany NASS 35 letters. It is hoped that these will encourage refugees to register with their local job centres.
Jobcentre Plus and Department for Work and Pensions
Assisting Iraqi Kurds from Sangatte - Operation Concorde
1, 200 mainly Iraqi Kurds and a few Iranians from the Red Cross camp in Sangatte were given Exceptional Leave to Enter for four years and given GV3 forms allowing them to work in that period. These new entrants are being processed by JobCentre Plus Personal Advisers. The DWP has been involved in ensuring the route into employment is as straightforward as possible and has issued National Insurance numbers to those arriving from Sangatte. Special arrangements were made with banks in order to set up accounts for individuals. English language, literacy, numeracy, and employment skills assessments were made on arrival. All individuals have a CV and are interviewed regularly on a one to one basis to help with information on, for example, interviews or financial assistance for travel. The time limit on assistance from the Home Office was 15 March, although this may have been extended. It is possible that lessons learned from this intake could be transferred to the asylum process in the future, but very little English language provision has been available and few have found jobs so far.
London Development Agency (LDA)
Research into employment barriers
The LDA has recently commissioned a research project that will identify the main skills, employment, enterprise and economic development barriers and issues which prevent refugees and asylum seekers from fully participating and contributing to the capital's economy. The project will make policy recommendations and establish a skills, qualifications and employment baseline. The research is to be undertaken by Michael Bell Associates.
Contact MbA e:
Merseyside Racial Harassment Prevention Unit supported by NACRO
The Renaissance Project
This will identify the educational, training and employment needs of asylum seekers and refugees across Merseyside in order to help them to settle and integrate successfully. The project will contribute to a sub regional racial harassment prevention strategy. A website will also be set up. The project is funded by Expanding Horizons and Nationwide Foundation.
National Asylum Support Service (NASS), UK Immigration Services (UKIS), Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Her Majesty's Customs and Excises (HMC&E), the Inland Revenue
NASS pilot on illegal working
This project will set up a joint NASS/UKIS Investigation Team to work with DWP, HMC&E and the Inland Revenue to tackle illegal working by removing offenders and reducing NASS fraud. The project has received £390,000 in funding from monies allocated to the Home Office by the Treasury's annual Invest to Save fund.
Contact Home Office Press Office, t: 020 7273 4545.
National Institute for Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), funded by EQUAL
Expanding and developing the work of the Asylum Seekers' Skills and Qualifications Audit Pilot Project
This will involve placing a guidance worker in five towns in the East Midlands to audit the skills, qualifications and experiences of asylum seekers in the area and then to facilitate appropriate opportunities for volunteering and work experience alongside learning support.
Contact Fiona Aldridge e:
Funded by EQUAL
Rolling programme of 12 regional events (including Wales, Scotland and N. Ireland) to identify and disseminate good practice of work with asylum seekers, particularly in the area of education and training. This project will culminate in the production of a good practice guide to be further disseminated.
Contact Fiona Aldridge e:
Migrant qualifications project
This project was initiated in May 2003.
Contact Vic Seddon t: 020 8929 4744
Refugees in Employment Campaign
Personnel Today launched this campaign to persuade the government to make it easier for refugees and asylum seekers to be employed. In an open letter to Lord Rooker, then Minister of State at the Home Office, they called for a standard permission to work document, removal of the red tape preventing refugees who are entitled to work from gaining employment, a database recording the skills of refugees and asylum seekers, and concrete plans to co-ordinate the employment of refugees and asylum seekers.
Personnel Today and the Refugee Council
Survey of employer attitudes
This survey looked at attitudes of UK employers as perceived by refugees and asylum seekers who are seeking jobs. Set up to highlight the issues facing unemployed refugees and asylum seekers and help address them, the study has been completed and a report will be published. Among other results the analysis of refugees' experiences found that 61.3% had been out of work for between six months and three years although 58.9% had some sort of UK qualification and 61.3% had some relevant UK work experience. Over half said employers did not recognise overseas qualifications and 66.7% were offered no reason for unsuccessful job applications.
Contact Deng Yai, Refugee Council Policy Development Adviser for Employment, Training and Adult Education
e:
Employing the skills and experience of refugees in the international development sector
This is a feasibility study to investigate how refugees can be enabled to work in the international development sector. The study, involving a postal survey, in-depth interviews and focus groups with skilled refugees and potential employers, has now been completed. The report is available from Praxis.
Contact Theodros Abraham, Praxis t: 020 7749 7610 e:
Refugee Assessment and Guidance Unit (RAGU), London Metropolitan University, Camden Jobtrain, Central London Learning Partnership, European Social Fund
Diversity Works (Placement Programme)
This project aims to provide three-month part-time unpaid work experience to highly skilled and/or professionally qualified refugees. All candidates have permission to work and are 'job-ready'.
Contact Louise Salmon e: , or Sheila Heard at
Refugee Assessment and Guidance Unit (RAGU), London Metropolitan University, Learning and Skills Council Central London, European Social Fund
2003 courses for refugees and asylum seekers
RAGU is running a number of courses for refugees and asylum seekers with permission to work in 2003. These include several English courses targeted at education and health professionals, community and management development for women, and a course towards the Certificate of Professional Development (APEL).
Contact t: 020 7753 5044
Refugee Council, Refugee Assessment and Guidance Unit (RAGU), The Basic Skills Agency (BSA), London Language and Literacy Unit (LLLU), National institute for Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities (NICEM), Sheffield College (SC), Midlands Refugee Council (MRC)
Asset UK
This project, led by the Refugee Council, will provide a range of services and resources to asylum seekers and staff working with asylum seekers in the regions of the UK where large numbers of asylum seekers are now being dispersed. Provision will include advice and guidance, the development of orientation resources and delivery of ESOL and Basic Skills programmes. It will also include a skills audit of asylum seekers in dispersal areas and work with employers. The programme seeks to disseminate good practice in education and training and to support policy development in this field. As part of its contribution to this initiative, NIACE has recently organised a series of regional seminars entitled 'Empowering asylum seekers to support the regional economy and local communities' which will be used to raise awareness, inform, collate and promote good practice and identify needs in working with asylum seekers.
Contact Lynda Lawrence, Asset partnership manager e:
Refugee Mentoring and Employer Network
This is a pilot programme to work with unemployed clients from refugee and ethnic minority communities. Aimed to enhance employment and further learning opportunities by encouraging clients to gain accredited qualifications which recognise the skills they already use on an informal basis within their communities. The pilot was completed in September 2002. The mentoring scheme was complemented by the Employer Network, which worked towards engaging employers with vacancies in order to secure employment, work placements and voluntary work opportunities for candidates. Quality guidelines on mentoring for refugees have now been produced by the programme.
Contact Lawrence Garry at Renaisi, 300 Mare Street, London E8 1HE. t: 020 7683 8300 e:
Client survey
This survey will study at least 100 refugee and asylum seeker clients who are members of Reed in Partnership's Action Teams to establish whether their education, skills and experience are being fully utilised.
Contact e:
Refugee Employment, Education, Training and Advice Partnership (REETA)
This project within the community-led Pepys Community Forum aims to break down barriers to employment for refugees in the London Borough of Lewisham. It works with local organisations and employers to enable refugees to obtain and retain jobs.
Contact Hilary Morgan, Job Link, 124 Deptford High Street, London SE8 4NP, t: 020 8700 8407
Refugees into Jobs
Refugees into Jobs aims to empower refugees in Brent and Harrow through training and employment. It offers guidance to refugees and employers through consultancy, outreach and counseling; provides information on training and employment opportunities; runs a Job Club, volunteering placements and a study programme for health professionals; and provides financial and training support for those beginning work.
Contact Refugees into Jobs, 3-7 Carlton Avenue East, Wembley, Middlesex, HA9 8UA. t: 020 8908 4433,
f: 020 8908 3917 e: .
Renewal is a partnership of refugee organisations and the statutory sector across six West London Boroughs which has set up a refugee community organisation (RCO) projects fund to help refugees overcome barriers to health, education and economic opportunities. The fund is supporting projects under three heads, one of which is employment and training. Funding of between £5,000-£90,000 will be allocated for up to three years. RCOs are encouraged to work with borough refugee forums and capacity building organisations.
Contact Stephen James e:
RETAS, Islington Education Authority and University of North London
Fostering Refugee Enterprise and Employment (FREE)
This is a comprehensive support package to help refugees into jobs including one to one advice on Information Communication Technology and Personal Development Training, business, start up, job search and education grants advice.
Contact RETAS t: 020 7426 5800 e: ; Islington Enterprise Agency t: 020 7226 2783
e: ; Refugee Assessment and Guidance Unit (RAGU) t: 020 7753 5044 e:
University of Surrey School of Educational Studies
Employment HORIZON Project- European Refugees and Migrants Advice and Guidance into Employment 1995-1997
Funded by the European Social Fund, this project sought to develop and disseminate a knowledge base on refugee employment founded on individual advice and guidance. Individual casework was established as a catalytic activity between the established actors in the field.
Contact Nicolas Walters t: 01483 562 142 e:
University of Surrey School of Educational Studies and the Guilford Institute, and INTEGRA
Refugee Communities - Labour Market Advice and Guidance Project
This project was designed to help refugees find appropriate jobs through advice, counseling and guidance training and to equip refugees to help others in their own communities to find jobs. The project was funded by the employment initiative of INTEGRA.
Contact Nicolas Walters t: 01483 562 142 e:
University of Surrey, Refugee Assessment and Guidance Unit (RAGU), London Metropolitan University, University of Sussex, University of Warwick, University of Bristol, Centre for Local Policy Studies at Edge Hill College
SEQUAL
This EQUAL programme is led by the University of Surrey. The project is based on the rationale that most interventions to combat social exclusion are local and practice oriented. Despite the proliferation of local projects, the lessons learned often remain with the local practitioners involved in delivering projects. The SEQUAL partnership is designed to address this issue. Each higher education partner will carry out a research project into one area of discrimination: gender, race and ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, belief and political conviction or age. All the partners in the SEQUAL partnerships are active in the field of social exclusion, unemployment and dissemination.
Delivers specialised assessment, guidance, training and employment services for clients with a wide range of barriers to work, including English as a second language. Services include weeklong residential courses. Initial assessment and guidance services are free and available to refugees across London. The project is working in Tower Hamlets and through Hackney Action Team for Jobs and is supported by the New Deal Innovation Team for Jobs.
Contact t: 020 7613 4467
Yorkshire/Humberside Asylum Consortium (YHAC)
YHAC has set up a regional project to record skills and prepare refugees and asylum seekers for employment. It will provide skilled refugees with a detailed employment portfolio to help them get jobs appropriate to their level of qualifications and also to help deal with local skills shortages. Providers of National Asylum Support Service (NASS) accommodation will distribute blank employment portfolio forms which asylum seekers will be encouraged to fill in with information relevant to job seeking. The pilot project began in autumn 2001.
Contact Liz Westmorland, Asylum Services Manager YHAC e:
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Last Updated: 03/03/09
