Refugee Employability Programme - London & North East’s Post

Several years ago, a family of seven refugees from Russia stood at my doorway on campus, each with dreams shaped by their past and hopes for the future. The second oldest, inspired to follow in her mother's footsteps as a nurse, spoke of their challenges and aspirations as she spoke on their behalf in her broken English. Her father, a figure of quiet strength, shared their search for safety and faith, while a shy, black-haired daughter expressed her dream of becoming a teacher. The younger children holding tightly to their hands. Their journey toward these aspirations was initially supported by state grants, which helped them navigate the complexities of a new culture and language—showing up each day driven by their individual motivations to contribute. This assistance proved crucial in facilitating their transition into North American society, enabling them to build on their professional experiences from back home. Maria, for example, moved into childcare, while Petr found work in hospital maintenance, benefiting from targeted language courses and work culture integrations. The two oldest daughters completed their integrated EFL courses, enrolled in and graduated from college, achieving their career goals and contributing to the community with gratitude, empathy, and compassion. While their story is one of success, many immigrants and refugees continue to face significant barriers when integrating professionally into the U.S. This is where organizations like Upwardly Global play a vital role. They provide crucial support for immigrants and refugees, helping them transition into meaningful careers that reflect their skills and experiences. This support benefits individuals and their families and enriches the broader community and economy. Today, as I engage with professionals navigating work visas and spouses rebuilding careers in a new country, I am reminded of the importance of such programs. Employer partnerships with nonprofits like Upwardly Global create win-win situations, advancing humanity, impact, and good business. As funding landscapes evolve and competition for resources intensifies, the continued support and expansion of nonprofits like Upwardly Global are essential. They bridge gaps between qualified talent and industries in need, enhancing the impact and fostering integration in ways that benefit us all. #CareerIntegration #ProfessionalDevelopment #CommunityImpact #CareerCoaching #BusinessPartnerships

Imagine trying to find employment as a refugee in a new country: you’ve left everything behind, including your professional network and you might not even speak the national language. While a recent LinkedIn survey of hiring managers finds that 80% of employers agree that refugees have the right job skills or experience, these individuals are often overlooked by employers who focus too heavily on a checklist of qualifications or typical backgrounds. We want to help solve this problem. Over the last 12 months, we supported more than 12,000 refugees through a combination of upskilling programs, job training, mentoring and donating 4,600 free LinkedIn Premium subscriptions (worth $1.4 million). This success is a testament to the power of collaboration, involving 18 nonprofit organizations serving refugees around the world, our incredible employees and many of our customers. One of those collaborations is between Upwardly Global and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. They help refugees access meaningful jobs in healthcare – and it changes lives. Let me share a story: Vanessa went through rigorous medical training to earn her degree as a medical doctor in the mountain town of Merida, Venezuela, establishing herself as a specialist in anesthesiology. After more than a decade of building her medical career, she was forced to flee her country, ending up in New York, NY. It took five years for Vanessa to find Upwardly Global’s Career Coaching Program, which connected her to a career coach who specialized in supporting international medical graduates. Fast forward to today, where Vanessa is working as a Senior Anesthesia Technician at NewYork-Presbyterian. There are millions of individuals like Vanessa in the world. To mark #WorldRefugeeDay, we are unlocking a LinkedIn Learning path about skills-based hiring to help more talent acquisition professionals and hiring managers learn about this approach:  https://lnkd.in/epuk_4zq Together we can create more opportunities for qualified individuals from overlooked talent pools to contribute to the workforce.   Our immense gratitude to all the amazing organizations collaborating with us to support refugees: UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, Talent Beyond Boundaries, Tent Partnership for Refugees, Breaking Barriers, ReDI School of Digital Integration,Kiron Open Higher Education,Imagine Foundation e.V., CareerSeekers, Metro Assist, Upwardly Global, INCO, Sistech, Refugee Talent Hub, , More Than One Perspective (MTOP), International Rescue Committee, Irish Refugee Council, Open Doors Initiative, Skills for Change, Skill Shift Initiative

This is Eiad. Eiad was a young graduate when he fled Syria in 2012. He did not want to be conscripted into the national army, now held responsible for killing over 200,000 civilians. With few other options, he made a treacherous journey across the Mediterranean in a wooden boat. Protected under the Geneva Convention, he was immediately granted asylum in his new home. But despite being a qualified dentist, and living in the UK where there is a talent shortage, it took Eiad nearly 6 years to start practising in the UK. As part of Chatterbox’s ‘Festival of Stories’ this Refugee Week, Eiad shared his story with Dan Vahdat, unicorn medical technology founder. It’s an eye-opening, honest conversation. Eiad’s experience reminds me of the experienced faced by a dentist (also a refugee) who shared my home for a couple of years. He has been here 5 years and is still trying to get back on track with his career. He has taken 3 dentistry exams each costing around £900. It's so frustrating given the shortages we have across so many sectors. We desperately need the staff yet our systems obstruct companies from accessing talent from this untapped pool of individuals. That's why at The Launchpad Collective, we are all about systemic change - our Inclusive Recruitment Toolkit (created with partners City & Guilds Foundation) has been designed using the voice of lived experience to help companies remove the obstacles within recruitment systems, so that employers and individuals can connect. If you'd like to learn more about removing barriers so that refugees can enter the workplace, please get in touch. Together we can change systems to ensure everyone is able to join the workplace. For my fellow People professionals and leaders looking to do more to support refugees in the workplace – you can join me in making a pledge and accessing a community of others making work more welcoming for refugees. Join the movement to #ElevateRefugees here: https://lnkd.in/emAmDnti #ElevateRefugees #RefugeeWeek

#𝗥𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗴𝗲𝗲𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 – "𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲" 🧑🏽🤝🧑 With the dawn of Day 3 of Refugee Week under the theme of "Our Home", I'm reflecting on the immense contribution by refugees and forcibly displaced individuals when welcomed into inclusive workplaces that embrace justice, equality, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) principles. Organisations that create an environment where diverse backgrounds and lived experiences are valued unlock transformative perspectives and untapped talent pools - accelerating business growth while making a powerful societal impact. The statistics speak for themselves: gender-diverse companies see 15% higher financial returns, racially diverse companies up to 15x higher sales revenue, and inclusive teams make hugely impactful decisions 2x faster. By creating an environment where diverse backgrounds and lived experiences are valued, employers gain a sustainable competitive advantage through increased profitability, innovation, and decision-making quality. I'm honoured to serve as a Board Member and Advisor to The Launchpad Collective (TLC), inspired by the visionary leadership of Joint CEOs Jane Lancashire and Summerly Devito, together with the incredible team. Celebrating their 4th birthday, TLC is addressing systemic barriers refugees face in navigating employment through language support, skills training, tailored career guidance, and community integration initiatives. Their comprehensive #TLCToolkit in collaboration with City & Guilds provides a roadmap for businesses to embrace best practices in hiring refugee job seekers - unlocking an immense talent pool to drive real change. By collaborating with purposeful employers, TLC is empowering refugees to rebuild their lives and livelihoods while enhancing organisational performance through increased diversity and inclusion. 👉🏽 https://lnkd.in/evJC7GEc The economic case is clear: Skilled refugees contribute nearly £1M annually to the UK economy and globally too through taxes. Yet the opportunity goes far beyond finances - it's about recognising our shared humanity and creating an equitable, welcoming "home" for all. As we reflect on Refugee Week, I encourage leaders to explore how your organisation can benefit from the immense value refugees bring to our workplaces and communities. ⭐ 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿. 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆⭐ #refugeeweek #jedi #diversity #inclusion #businessgrowth #unlocktalent

The ROI of being welcoming This is a picture of a fishing boat on which my parents escaped Vietnam.  My mum is wearing pink, pregnant with me, the last person to step onto the tanker that rescued them and took them to a refugee camp.  Every year on my birthday I look at this picture fresh — a literal reminder of where I came from so I can ask myself “Where am I now?” I was conceived in Nha Trang, Vietnam as my parents were waiting to escape. I was born in the refugee camp in Kowloon, Hong Kong as they hoped to be free. I grew up in Melbourne, where they began building their new life. My Mum called me, "What do you want to eat for your birthday?" They came to my house with canh chua and as we ate I asked about their early days of arrival. A bus picked them up from the airport, government settlement workers helped them find an apartment in blocks for refugees, they cooked in communal kitchens and wore donated clothes. Amongst their community, they'd carpool to work, rotate childcare duties & meet at church on Sunday. Groups like the Australian Vietnamese Women's Association and Vinnies Victoria Victorian Multicultural Commission St Vincent de Paul Society Australia were, and still are, crucial. Lately, I've worked with some of these organisations and call myself a 42-year-old case study in organisational effectiveness. That photo captures the beginning: refugees on a boat, hoping for a better life. Now I'm a Business Director at Today, a purpose driven design agency, engaged to help them shape their future. What are the metrics of being welcoming? How do you quantify a donated coat? Or the ripple effect of getting someone a job? My parents' first jobs—farm work, factory shifts, home sewing—wouldn't appear impressive on an impact report. Yet those entry-level positions funded mine and my sisters’ education, which led to professional careers, enabling the next generation to contribute to Australia's economic and social fabric.  Most KPIs would be numbers served, services provided, or outcomes achieved within a fiscal year. But let me offer a different timeframe for your consideration as every policy decision, program design, budget allocation has consequences that extend beyond the strategic plan's timeline.  Your real impact timeline isn't annual, it's generational. Our lives unfold over decades. It's in the next generation that grow their careers, then return as contributors to the very organisations that once helped them. "What was the plan?" I asked my Dad. "There was no plan," he replied. "We worked, saved money, bought a house."  But there was a plan—it just wasn't theirs alone. It was embedded in the systems and organisations that welcomed them, in the commitment of leaders who knew supporting refugees wasn't just about immediate aid—it was about investing in the future. - Inspired by Sam Alderton-Johnson, who shares generously from his life. To Nicky Chung Lucy Saaroni Charlie Spendlove Vivienne Nguyen who do the doing.

🧡 Simple Acts: Make a New Connection 🧡 Building communities and making new connections is one of the most important things when moving to a new place and creating a home away from home. Often single gestures of care and welcome can give newly arrived people hope and a sense of belonging. That’s why, this Refugee Week, we’d like to encourage you to make a new connection. What would happen if we all extended our warmth and hospitality beyond our own homes and made entire neighbourhoods more welcoming? Whether you choose to volunteer, join a befriending service, or simply strike up a conversation, every interaction has the potential to spark a meaningful connection and form life-long friendships. Easy ideas to take part: 🌍 Attend our Refugee Week events - you're guaranteed to make a new connection! See what's on: https://lnkd.in/eudRjxjS 💬 Have a chat – say hello to someone new in your neighbourhood, workplace, school or community. Ask how they’re doing, lament or celebrate the weather. It might just make their day! 💓 Volunteer in your local community - Why not join our work as a Trustee? Or, get involved with St. Augustine's Centre, Halifax Befriending Service or activities? One step further: Do you work for a retail or hospitality business? How can you welcome newcomers and long-time residents alike? Perhaps you can place conversation starters on your tables or showcase the work of a local group in your window displays. Every small gesture contributes to a more inclusive and connected community where everyone feels valued, welcomed, and at home. Refugee Week #SimpleActs #OurHome #RefugeeWeek

This #RefugeeWeek, we want to highlight the talent and skills that refugees bring to our communities. With job vacancies remaining high in the UK, it's crucial for employers to explore new talent pools to thrive. That's where our #OpeningDoors campaign comes in. Discover the business advantages of embracing #InclusiveRecruitment and learn how your organisation can get involved. https://lnkd.in/e8CHCuik

🧑🏽🤝🧑🧑🏽🤝🧑𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 -  𝗟𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗼 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱 Today marks Day 2 of Refugee Week, fittingly themed "Our Home" - a concept that is cruelly stripped away from over 114 million forcibly displaced people worldwide. As we reflect on creating inclusive communities, we must address the higher education enrolment gap that marginalises the immense talents of displaced populations. Only 𝟳% 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱'𝘀 𝟯𝟲.𝟰 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗴𝗲𝗲𝘀 have access to university and tertiary studies, compared to 42% globally. This represents an unacceptable violation of human potential and an economic self-impairment no nation can afford. Education, especially post-secondary, is a catalyst for socioeconomic mobility, innovation and community advancement. '𝙀𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙨 𝙋𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧. 𝙋𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙤𝙢. 𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙤𝙢 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙍𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩' The recent escalation of student protests at universities across the UK and worldwide voicing anger underscores the pressing need to amplify young leaders' and refugee voices in driving meaningful change towards integration. As Chair of the Board of Trustees at STAR | Student Action for Refugees, I am fortunate to work alongside inspirational individuals, particularly the incredible young university leaders tirelessly advocating for this worthy cause. I extend immense gratitude to CEO Emily Crowley and her brilliant team for their steadfast stewardship as STAR prepares to celebrate it's 30th anniversary milestone this year 🎂🎉. Their unwavering commitment to empowering forcibly displaced persons through education access is exemplary. The economic case is compelling - UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency aims to raise refugee higher ed enrolment to 15% by 2030, but we must think bolder. UK data reveals achieving a mere 0.1% tertiary attainment increase by enabling 8,748 more students could fuel a £𝟵-𝟭𝟴 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗗𝗣 𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟬 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀, making this a high-return investment. On this Refugee Week, I call on leaders to treat widening tertiary participation for the forcibly displaced as an unprecedented opportunity to catalyse socioeconomic prosperity for all. The path forward requires collective action - funding scholarships, fostering university partnerships, legal reforms enabling access, NGO skill pipelines and amplifying displaced voices - partner with STAR! Our shared home and future hinge on unlocking the full potential of these resilient individuals. We have a moral and economic imperative to act now. Their resolve must become our opportunity to shape a thriving, inclusive society where no brilliance is left behind. Together, we're stronger! #refugeeweek #unlockpotential #educationforall #inclusion #sharedequity #humanrights #differencemakers #leaders

Global Talent Pathway creates skilled migration opportunities for refugees and displaced individuals by guiding them into the workforce through pathways that recognize their talents and qualifications. They offer a comprehensive talent catalog for refugees to register and showcase their skills, educational background, and work experiences and for employers to find talent and fill workforce gaps. They assist employers with remote recruitment, skilled visa processes, and post-arrival check-ins. 🙌 Global Talent Pathway provides language learning and skills development programs for refugees and works with local governments, charities, and resettlement organizations to provide housing assistance, cultural orientation, and social support services to make the migration journey smoother. ❤️ They contribute 30 percent of their profits to refugee resettlement programs.☺️ Global Talent Pathway Sans Souci, New South Wales, Australia https://lnkd.in/gYFYPp_k

Companies of the Netherlands, take the lead! As our founder Hamdi Ulukaya says "The minute a refugee gets a job, is the minute they stop being a refugee". At Tent Partnership for Refugees we can help you take the steps to make this a reality and do your part. #WorldRefugeeDay #HiringRefugees