PROJECT CONCEPT

  • Small scale partnership project

  • Vocational education and training sector

  • Duration: 14 months (01/03/2023 – 30/04/2024)

  • Funded by the Erasmus+ programme by the European Union

Based on a labour force survey published by the European Commission and OECD in 2021, refugees are one of the most vulnerable group of migrants on the labour market. Data indicates that among economically active refugees, 1 in 5 is unemployed and 1 in 8 is unemployed for over a year or longer. The study observes that it takes refugees on average up to 20 years to reach an employment rate similar to that of the native-born population. Comparing refugees with other migrants, their different employment rates can be explained by their differing education levels. That being said, the education level of refugees also varies between countries of origin. Labour market participation forms part of a wider integration process, whereby third-country nationals legally residing in the EU may access not only employment, but also vocational education and administrative goods and services. While mostly pertaining to the national as well as regional and local levels, this topic has gained importance on the EU political agenda in recent years, as policymakers have come to acknowledge that the economic, social, cultural and civic participation of migrants in European host societies is essential to overcome challenges and benefit from the opportunities of migration.

So far refugees and immigrants are lacking from support to the labour market in partners’ countries and the supported employment model is a complimentary action to support their labour inclusion. However such practice exist in Portugal and we would like to explore it also in Bulgaria. The high supply of labour resources and the low demand reduce the possibilities of refugees and immigrants to find jobs in the open market and limit the chances of successful support programmes and projects. Existing career support providers are not able to deal with the refugees’ complex needs since they do not have adequate knowledge, skills and competencies to assist them, neither written methodological guidelines. There is still a general understanding that refugees do not need a job. Even that in some employment initiatives are realised in sheltered workshops and social enterprises. With this project we will provide additional knowledge and concepts to career and supported employment counsellors for adapting employers’ conditions, preferences and challenges.

By its objectives and planned project deliverables, our project is coming as innovative approach and solution in the same time to tackle the labour exclusion of the refugees and immigrants by creation of an accessible and supportive labour market pathway by implementing the career guidance methods as part of the 5 stages process of the supported employment model. Whereas some of the member states have considerable (and positive) experiences with the concept of Supported Employment – with transfer of know-how from Portugal to Bulgaria. This innovation will be invented by our partner Consultis as EUSE member.