European Social Fund

Seminar 1Advice, education and training

22-24 May 2007 – Malmö (Sweden)

EUROPEAN THEMATIC GROUP ON ASYLUM SEEKERS

Seminar 1Advice, education and training

22-24 May 2007 – Malmö (Sweden)

EUROPEAN THEMATIC GROUP ON ASYLUM SEEKERS

European Social Fund

Why advice, education and training?Why advice, education and training?

Access to advice, education and training is an

essential part of the socio-vocational integration

process of asylum seekers:

Basic information on the host society (how things

work, ‘do’s and don’ts’, services available etc.)

Language training: essential to be able to go about

everyday life and function independently.

Vocational training: can enhance existing skills and

qualifications and bridge any gaps in the training or

experience needed to find eventual employment.

European Social Fund

What is the problem? (1)What is the problem? (1)

1. Legal restrictions

In many EU Member States, asylum seekers

have no or only restricted access to education

and training.

Result: this can be detrimental not only to asylum seekers’ integration into the new society but also to their health and well-being.

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What is the problem? (2)What is the problem? (2)

2. Other restrictions

Often asylum seekers do not have easy access

to information.

Result: they do not know where to find

language courses and other educational and

training opportunities.

In many Member States, there are no education

and training programmes aiming to assist

asylum seekers’ integration into the labour

market.

Result: Missed opportunities lead to

dependence on welfare and higher costs to host

and support asylum seekers

European Social Fund

What does the Reception Directive say? (1)What does the Reception Directive say? (1)

Article DescriptionInformation and advice

(Articles 5, 14, 21)

Within 15 days of arrival, Member States must inform asylum seekers about relevant organisations that can assist them and of health care services, in a language that the asylum seeker understands. Information and advice about access to accommodation is also to be provided. In relation to appeals in case of a negative decision on the asylum application, procedures for access to legal assistance must be provided in national law.

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What does the Reception Directive say? (2)What does the Reception Directive say? (2)

Article DescriptionEducation / School (Article 10)

Minor asylum seekers and minor children of asylum seekers have the same right to education as nationals (the education can be provided in accommodation centres). The children must be able to access the education within three months from the date the asylum application was lodged.

VocationalTraining(Art. 12)

Member States can allow asylum seekers to participate in vocational training whether they have access to the labour market or not (but only if the vocational training is not linked to an employment contract).

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What has been done within EQUAL? (1)What has been done within EQUAL? (1)

Almost 85% of the 61 EQUAL asylum seekers partnerships operating in Round 2 (2005-2007) are implementing AET activities, including:

general orientation;

face-to-face counselling;

activities to encourage empowerment and self-

confidence of asylum seekers

education, training programmes and courses

on-the-job training

Skills assessments

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What has been done within EQUAL? (2)What has been done within EQUAL? (2)

What are the specifics of programmes developed by EQUAL partnerships compared to mainstream advice, education and training?

Many DP activities have combined language

training with the acquisition of other skills, e.g.

computing or in the context of vocational

training programmes; and,

Several DPs have developed programmes,

courses, methods and modules targeted at the

individual needs of asylum seekers (e.g. using

flexible training methods and subjects).

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What has been done within EQUAL? (3)What has been done within EQUAL? (3)

The following success factors have been identified:

Integrating language teaching into a vocational

programme and/or on-the-job training is not

only cost-effective – it is also empowering for

asylum seekers and speeds up their eventual

integration;

The development of specific vocational training

programmes for asylum seekers facilitates the

learning process and enables them to better

‘profile’ themselves on the labour market;

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What has been done within EQUAL? (4)What has been done within EQUAL? (4)

The following success factors have been identified:

Civic education, including intercultural learning

helps asylum seekers to better understand and

integrate in the host society;

Traineeships and other forms of work

placements are a first and important step to

integration into the labour market, and can also

lead to ‘real’ employment;

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What has been done within EQUAL? (5)What has been done within EQUAL? (5)

The following success factors have been identified:

Direct involvement of asylum seekers in

developing and running the activities were

positive for the creation of new models of

empowerment; and,

It ensures that the period during which asylum

seekers await the decision regarding their

asylum application can be purposefully used to

kick-start their integration process.

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What has been done within EQUAL? (6)What has been done within EQUAL? (6)

What are the results of EQUAL activities?

Positive outcomes for asylum seekers

observed by the DPs include improved:

Language skills;

Health;

Self-esteem;

Knowledge about the host society; and

Increased integration.

European Social Fund

Recommendations (1)Recommendations (1)

For amendment of the Directive:

1. There is scope for “exceeding” the

minimum standards of Article 12 of the Directive

on minimum standards for the reception of

asylum seekers (Vocational training)

Whilst the phrasing leaves a decision on access

to vocational training to the Member States, the

experience of the Development Partnerships illustrates

the benefits this can bring not only to individuals but

also to the host society.

European Social Fund

Recommendations (2)Recommendations (2)

For the implementation of the Directive:

1. The development of specific vocational

programmes for asylum seekers facilitates the

learning process and enables them to better

“profile” themselves on the labour market

2. Civic orientation and intercultural learning help both asylum seekers and the host

society

3. Traineeships and other forms of on-the-job training are a first and important step which help the integration of asylum seekers and can lead to “real ” employment

European Social Fund

Recommendations (2)Recommendations (2)

For the implementation of the Directive:

4. Transnational work encourages learning and the identification of approaches and methods, which are applicable in different contexts