Economic migrants and refugees take massive risks when leaving their former lives behind and moving to a foreign country. But, even after they arrive, they face several barriers to achieving prosperity, one of which is the recognition of their overseas qualifications.
Often, overseas diplomas cannot be recognised and migrants and refugees cannot use these qualifications to apply for the jobs they had in their former country. This drives many migrants to apply for lower-wage jobs or go back into education to try and obtain the equivalent UK qualifications – often while working part-time jobs. Consequently, many migrants and refugees have a lower standard of living than what they had previously.
This can be referred to as ‘occupational downgrading,’ where the occupation of an individual post-immigration does not match their credentials and previous professional experiences. Consequently, this means that it takes more time, effort and possibly more financial investment to get back to one’s original profession and live a relatively similar quality of life as they did before.
Though there are schemes in place in the UK to combat the challenges that migrants and refugees face when it comes to utilising their qualifications, the UK seems to lack a variety of different national programmes that allow migrants to take a bespoke training route back into their original professions. Not only that, but there is relatively less tailoring to the individual in terms of providing specific goals, in the UK schemes compared to other countries internationally.
The UK has the Centre for Professional Qualifications (CPQ) which provides information for non-UK qualified individuals wishing to get their qualifications recognised. However, there seems to be little guidance on what migrants should do if their diplomas are not valid, and no references to any possible training programmes they can take. The Refugee Council offers the Specialised Training and Employment Programme (STEP) in South Yorkshire, Leeds and York. STEP supports refugees by having an employment action plan that includes vocational training, English classes and networking opportunities to progress into a career.
Despite this opportunity, STEP is only delivered in Yorkshire, meaning that there are migrants and refugees in other areas of the UK who are possibly missing out on this tailored service. Moreover, even if the migrants within those areas do take part in the STEP programme, it is likely that they will still need some form of income to support themselves whilst they are in this programme. Either, they would have to apply for a low-skilled job or apply for welfare, which will require certain paperwork and documentation that a migrant will need to have.
As the UK schemes could still put migrants in a lower standard of living, Britain must take inspiration from international schemes.
In comparison to the CPQ, the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees (EQPR) outlines a refugee’s qualifications and professional experience which are used for employment applications and admission into studies. This programme has been successful as when the programme initially started in 2017, migrants in Greece that were interviewed, almost 80% received their EQPR.
Furthermore, the EU’s Employment for People from Immigrant Communities (EPIC) has supported migrants to find employment by providing them with tailored pre-employment training. From 2008 to 2012, 79% of people who participated in the programme were helped either into employment or further along the path to being employed. As a result, this programme has allowed migrants to improve their standard of living either by giving them the opportunity to be employed in a higher-level job or by taking up intern placements to improve their skills.
The EPIC programme is also far more efficient than the UK STEP scheme as it only lasts for 6 weeks, meaning that migrants will receive training and support for a short period of time, whilst also seeing great results for their employment chances.
Schemes such as the EQPR and EPIC are great opportunities for migrants to maximise their capacities and ensure that they have access to prosperity and a higher standard of living. The UK should learn from EU schemes on how to support migrants and refugees so that they can achieve upward social mobility and prosperity.
Marie Goneta is undergoing work experience at Bright Blue. Views expressed in this article are those of the author, and not those of Bright Blue. [Image: pkozmin]
