Omer I Project Manager and Mechanical Engineer Guest Speaker 26/02/2018 MY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & POINTS ABOUT EFFECTIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH REFUGEE PROFESSIONALS IN THE UK JOBS MARKET

My own employment/professional development route Sudan University for Science and Technology (Power Sector). Training programs and internships Samsung Sudan (Sales and Design engineer). Coventry University. Forced migration to UK 2013. Westminster University. Prince2 Practitioner certified. Almond Media. Transitions London Community Interest Company (CIC) Arcadis U.K.

Refugee professionals and UK employers

Problems and Solutions for employers Slow integration into the jobs market. Skills wastage. Skilled refugees can help fill gaps in workforces & bring diverse problem- solving skills into teams Skills, Experience and Qualifications Equivalencing - central obstacles to competitiveness Employers offer work experience to assist in evidencing, accessing, assessing skills Transitions helps through targeted guidance, Naric and Professional Bodies Linguistic (English and other languages) and cross-culturally skilled teams Courses, experience, mentorship – for refugees and all staff

Continued… . UK job application system familiarity Coaching, mentoring, information for refugees is essential. Transitions holds regular workshops for refugees and employers. More employers can do them ! Refugee legal status for employment Transitions helps employers get the right information Need for more positive images of refugee workers. Employers give refugee candidates with the right skills a chance to prove themselves.

Arcadis/ Transitions Placement

How is the placement assisting? Significantly improving competitiveness Possibility of offer of permanent employment Applying theory and practice Time to learn organizational, management and personal skills, and develop an awareness of the workplace culture. Develops skills such as technical, social and communication skills. My understanding and awareness of the UK construction industry has increased significantly. Personal development and self-confidence increased significantly. The business English workshops are very useful indeed.

Transitions’ services

Enabling employers to access and develop candidates’ skills and experience. Levelling the playing field for refugees to access UK professional experience.

Transitions positive action placements Co-developing role descriptions for 3-6 month paid positive action placements Carefully matching of candidates and roles Co-arrange interviews & provide interview support for candidates and employers If the fit is good, the candidate is offered a placement. Transitions supports the placement throughout, with: Set-up of mutual candidate/manager objectives and workplan Monthly scheduled meetings for staff and candidates Facilitating written employer feedback on skills and achievements Provision of guided reflective learning journal & support Facilitating engagement with professional bodies Intensive job search support if not retained by 6 weeks before the end of placement

Questions