Shropshire businesses encouraged to recruit highly-skilled refugees

 

Enable has recently launched a new Refugee Support Scheme to help Ukrainians resettling or temporarily residing in Shropshire. The scheme will support individuals to secure employment as they integrate into their new homes, learn the English language or begin training courses. It’s free to access for any Ukrainian refugee residing in the county.

Operating initially through Enable’s base in Shrewsbury in partnership with the Shropshire Supports Refugees Hubs, the programme will also be working from centres in Ludlow, Oswestry and Market Drayton, with other venues to be agreed upon and online appointments available throughout the week if preferred. 

Upon joining the scheme, each client will have regular meetings with a dedicated Employment Officer. Each meeting is designed to offer a wide programme of employability skills, with a focus on creating or converting a CV document and tailoring a job search to help clients reach their career potential in their chosen sector of work or to assess alternative employment options if they choose. 

Employment Officers will also signpost to other relevant services like housing support and volunteering opportunities. Younger refugees can also be supported through Enable’s Step Up Programme.

“Our primary focus is to support individuals into paid employment, but we also want to help them live fulfilling and independent lives in Shropshire,” says Sarah Harley, Senior Refugee Employment Officer at Enable.

The Refugee Support scheme is already working face-to-face and online with refugees throughout the county to secure employment opportunities. Key to the scheme is the support of local businesses, who are encouraged to consider recruiting a refugee to their team. Enable can provide a wealth of resources and information on how this can be achieved, and are eager to meet with employers to talk about the many advantages of taking on a highly-skilled refugee. 

“Our refugee clients have an outstanding work ethic, a willingness to pick up new skills and the desire to always give their best,” says Sarah. 

“Many are vastly qualified in their respective fields, but they may need to achieve UK accreditation to refresh and fully transfer their skills. We hope to find placements in schools where the support of a Ukrainian-speaking Teaching Assistant may benefit their students as they settle in and are working with a number of qualified accountants looking for UK experience.”

To refer to the programme, find out more information or make an enquiry about employing a refugee contact Sarah Harley and the team at refugeeemploymentsupport@shropshire.gov.uk