European Conference MaastrichtVocational training for asylum seekers: effects & methods

Panel 2Panel 2

Vocational Training and Labour Integration

Conceptual FrameworkSituation of the Asylum Seekers

The labour integration is the basis for the social integration in host country

The employment of the Asylum Seeker can be increased through vocational training

Preconditions: language proficiency and labour market knowledge

It is necessary to keep and increase the abilities and competencies of the Asylum Seeker

Conceptual FrameworkAccess to Training and Employment

Differences among the European Governments regarding the access to education, training and employment of the Asylum Seeker

Differences between the social and labour integration programmes and the national and European regulations concerning Asylum Seekers and immigration

There is no correlation between the present and future situation of the Asylum Seeker and the objectives of EQUAL

It is necessary to discuss the above-mentioned and draw conclusions and proposals towards the national politics

Scope of Practice in the 5 DP’s

All he DP’s have developed projects that encourage the labour integration

JobShop and ENEAS plan their programmes according to the real

possibilities of employment

BTW offers resources with neutral options (useful for both, returning and stay)

SEPA and HIT prepare the Asylum Seeker for both, the European labour market and the return

DP SEPA, GermanyMr. R. Hans

Results: About 250 Asylum Seekers followed a training program

70 internships in firms (“practical”) could be carried out as the second best solution for working experience

Employers are satisfied with the work performance of Asylum Seekers during internships

Problems: High administrative barriers blocking the German labour market against

Asylum Seekers

Employers are not content with possibilities to hire Asylum Seekers

High drop-out rate

DP Back to Work, NLMr. H. Brouwer

Results: 163 Asylum Seekers have taken vocational training courses

Asylum Seekers keep closer to the labour market

Social activation

Problems: Asylum Seekers skills decreases because they do not have access to

jobs

Dutch language acquisition (main reason for dropping out)

DP HIT, NetherlandsMr. F. Bastiaens

Results: 450 Asylum Seekers started a vocational training course

225 Asylum Seekers did internship: good opportunity for further labour integration

More than 50% of employers taking an Asylum Seeker for an internship want to repeat

Problems: Drop-out-rate: 120 Asylum Seekers left prematurely the course

Very limited possibilities to work: 12 weeks per 12 months

Language: Dilemma of how far to go (Stay / Return)

Link to home countries

DP JobShop, AustriaMs. M. Weinberger

Objectives: Language proficiency and vocational training Integration into Tyrolean job market

Results: Few drop-outs in complete training Labour integration: ~30% despite difficulties obtaining a work permit Good practise:

Special methods and didactic approaches for Asylum Seekers Training for entering the job-market Specific language training (workplace terminology)

Problems: No work permits except for jobs in tourism and agriculture New EU members as competitors Insufficient language skills in vocational training courses

DP ENEAS, SpainMrs. Mª Fuencisla Rodriguez Martin

Objectives: Capacity building and re-training in the host country

Raising the possibilities and the quality of employment

Contributing to the psychosocial welfare and integration in the host country

ENEAS-Equal DP members work for the same objectives: Networking, Derivation system, Resources use

Activities: Individual itinerary of insertion or individual program, active, flexible

and tailor-made

DP ENEAS, SpainMrs. Mª Fuencisla Rodriguez Martin

Results: Near 700 Asylum Seekers got a labour contract (210 women/ 484 men) -

40% of contracts are directly related to the received vocational training

More than 2.000 Asylum Seekers followed an individual itinerary of insertion

Few drop-outs: Most of them because they found a job

People from Spanish speaking countries integrated easier and faster - people from Sub-Saharan countries take a period of time

Problems: Legal and administrative conditions of Asylum Seekers

Qualifications recognition

Comparative Table Access to Vocational Training and

Employment VOCATIONAL TRAINING EMPLOYMENT

AUSTRIA Yes, however A.S. are rarely able to pay the high costs of training.

Access in fact, very strict – limited to one season. Most of the jobs are found in tourism and the agricultural sector.

GERMANY

Possible but requirements are difficult to meet for A.S. due to the length of stay permit and academic level (German included).

After 12 months. Access only when not competitive with German nationals or EU citizens. Stay permit and work permit must be renewed every 3-6 months. Regional differences: Obstacles for an employer at the labour office or not.

NETHERLANDS

Yes, till 30 years. Up 30 years must pay an annual fee. A.S. oddly can register for vocational training within the Dutch system (only in sectors that do not require a steady job). Possible to choose courses in English language.

After 6 months. Are allowed 12 weeks per 12 months. (If stay at a Centre, they give back part of the earned money). Allowed to do internships up to 1 year maximum. In both cases (work and internship) need get a licence (this takes 5 months).

SPAIN

Yes, but problems with qualification recognition). Possible to ask for grants. Possible to be financed by European Fund projects like ENEAS.

After 6 months having applied for asylum (holding the “yellow card” and under conditions): - Must ask for work permit to authorities (takes 2-3

months). - Must present a job offer - Every 3 or 6 months must renew the yellow card. - The special permission ends when the asylum procedure is finished.

General Conclusions

Different projects have tried successfully different approaches and techniques to achieve Asylum Seekers integration in spite of national regulations

There are enormous differences between the legal systems in the EU-Member States

EQUAL is designed as a field-laboratory, but the EQUAL-projects are not allowed to leave the juridical system for a defined time and defined persons, which is pre-condition for testing

The perspective of the asylum seeker has a double difficulty: prepare for potential participation in the European labour market or an unknown labour market in the country of origin

Political Conclusions

Integration is less dependent on the capacities of Asylum Seekers, than on the barriers of Governments

Harmonisation of European legislation should be speeded up

The time-span between asylum application and final decision should be shortened

For the time being, all measures which give access to the world of leaning and working should be promoted

To establish sustainable solutions for the Asylum Seekers once they have left this situation

Countries of origin need special employment promotion programmes embedded in development assistance

European Conference MaastrichtVocational training for asylum seekers: effects & methods

Panel 2Panel 2

Vocational Training and Labour Integration