Barriers to Asylum Seekers and Barriers to Seekers Refugees accessing the workplace workplace maggie lennon
Bridges Project - Institute of 1 7/8/04 Contemporary Scotland
Basic Principles outwith the workplace will Integration never be full integration Denying access to the workplace is to deny a basic human right Denying access to the workplace is to deny the country the benefits of new potential
Bridges Project - Institute of 2 7/8/04 Contemporary Scotland
Don't forget asylum seekers and refugees have Although unique circumstances, their lack of participation is as damaging as any groups in society People are not statistics With the right combination of skills and groups the barriers can be overcome
FOR MORE INFO... www.contemporaryscotland.com Bridges Project - Institute of 3 7/8/04 Contemporary Scotland
Barriers to the work place Access Access to training Accreditation of prior learning Careers Advice Prejudice problems Related
Bridges Project - Institute of 4 7/8/04 Contemporary Scotland
Access to the Workplace Barriers Right of asylum seekers to apply for a work permit has been removed Asylum seekers cannot work and cannot receive any payment Motivation seems to be political
Bridges Project - Institute of 5 7/8/04 Contemporary Scotland
Access to the work place the barriers Removing Re-instate the right to apply for a work permit Lobby for an exemption in Scotland (due to high levels of successful applicants) either on a residency or profession based criteria
Bridges Project - Institute of 6 7/8/04 Contemporary Scotland
Access to Training Barriers The Asylum seekers can access ESOL classes but the resource is limited and waiting lists are growing (600 at Anniesland alone) Last year the Scottish Executive allowed asylum seekers to have some access to HNC courses and limited HND courses, but no extra funding was made available meaning that some asylum seekers are not following relevant or appropriate training There is no access for asylum seekers to vocational training There is no access to Higher Education for Asylum seekers There is no effective strategy for 16-18 year olds especially the unaccompanied minors Those with refugee status have wider access on the same level as anyone unemployed but their personal circumstances may mean that low levels of student support prevent them from taking up placesges Project - Institute of Brid 7 7/8/04 Contemporary Scotland
Access to training the barriers Removing Review of FE and HE funding Engage with Scottish Universities Improve understanding amongst admissions secretaries Develop ESOL in the workplace Greater access to existing workbased training (Proposed UNISON scheme) Greater awareness of existing successful conversion programmes · Refugee Doctors Programme · PEPE (qualified Engineers) · OTAR (skilled tradespeople) · GOPIP (Nurses)
Bridges Project - Institute of 8 7/8/04 Contemporary Scotland
Accreditation Barriers Lack of documents and evidence of prior learning or experience National Academic Recognition information Centre NARIC isn't working
Bridges Project - Institute of 9 7/8/04 Contemporary Scotland
Accreditation the Barriers Removing Creation of a national accreditation system drawing on existing knowledge of the academic establishments, employers, professional and trade bodies Development of more pilots like OTAR Development of profession based ESOL to assess suitability for the job market Bridges Project - Institute of 10 7/8/04 Contemporary Scotland
Careers Advice and job searching Barriers Lack of information and advice Poor quality of service in Job Centres as recognised by DWP Few networking opportunities to build up employability and sector knowledge
Bridges Project - Institute of 11 7/8/04 Contemporary Scotland
Careers Advice and job searching the Barriers Removing Named representatives in Job Centre Plus offices Improved and targeted communication through Job Centre Plus Offices Ready for work training schemes like New Glaswegians Project run by the Chamber of Commerce Increase initiatives that link this group to the workplace eg ESOL in the workplace, Mentoring/Buddy schemes Bridges Project - Institute of 12 7/8/04 Contemporary Scotland
Prejudice and Racism Barriers The Often ignored especially "black on black" Lack of understanding of the "soft skills" and different work ethics Opportunities for exploitation keep workers away from the legitimate job market, becoming a self fulfilling prophecy Bridges Project - Institute of 13 7/8/04 Contemporary Scotland
Prejudice and Racism the barriers Removing Educate the media Educate the public Educate employers and the workforce at large Persuade politicians to remove Institutional barriers Extend the range of groups willing to develop services, eg Trade Union Movement
Bridges Project - Institute of 14 7/8/04 Contemporary Scotland
Other issues Barriers The Poor physical health High level of mental health problems at various levels Poor quality housing The international situation and rise fo the far right
All of these have a bearing on the abilities of this group to make a sustained and worthwhile contribution. Bridges Project - Institute of 15 7/8/04 Contemporary Scotland
Is there a bright side? Always Problems not insurmountable We can all do something The benefits are so worth it If we are serious about integration, serious about welcoming a workforce from overseas, serious about social justice and serious about making workplaces more supportive of all its workforce, then things have to change
Bridges Project - Institute of 16 7/8/04 Contemporary Scotland
Anuerin Bevan, In Place of Fear
"Discontent arises from a knowledge of the possible as contrasted with the actual"
Bridges Project - Institute of 17 7/8/04 Contemporary Scotland