Qualification recognition support for refugees at face-to-face event
UK ENIC provided face-to-face support at a Resettlement Job Fair in Gloucester, UK, last month.
Organised by Gloucestershire County Council, the event - attended by nearly 100 people - aimed to assist Ukrainian refugees and asylum seekers. It also attracted many other people living locally who came along to discuss various aspects of potential routes into employment.
Katherine Huang, UK ENIC Head of Migration Services, and Alina Davodova, Senior Information Officer, spoke with over 40 people on the day, explaining how we can support them with qualification recognition, and providing advice to those with missing or partial documentation.
‘Those we spoke with were really interested to hear about what we do and how we can help them,’ said Alina Davodova. ‘They were pleased to learn that there are ways for them to have their qualifications recognised to help them into employment.
‘Some of those who came along had already had qualifications recognised by UK ENIC, and were asking for advice on how and where they can use our Statements of Comparability.’
A number of other local support organisations were also on hand to offer advice and support, including the Department for Work and Pensions, Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers, and Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service.
‘It was a very impressive effort on the part of all the organisations involved. As with similar events we have attended it was clear to all that UK ENIC plays an important role in helping refugees and asylum seekers to convert their qualifications into meaningful career prospects as part of a truly international workforce,’ added Alina.
Members seeking guidance on recognition of refugee qualifications - for example in respect of applicants who have incomplete documentation - can email us on [email protected]. Members with access to our online Member Enquiry Service can use that facility to get advice on a refugee’s overseas qualifications.
UK ENIC is able to assess qualifications, obtained outside of the UK, which are nationally recognised in the country of origin at the time of award, via our Statement of Comparability service. This includes school, vocational and higher education awards.
We also offer advice and resources to organisations dealing with refugees - admitting institutions, refugee welfare organisations, local authorities etc. The evaluation and verification of qualifications and skills of refugees presents particular challenges, especially missing or incomplete documentation.
UK ENIC has played a leading role in international initiatives on refugee recognition, such as the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees (EQPR). We also delivered the year-long ‘Syrians in Jordan’ project, which engaged with over 1,000 refugees. The SIJ scheme provided recognition statements containing information about the levels of qualifications and skills of Syrian refugees living in Jordan, and gave guidance on work and study opportunities available.
This work has provided insights and experience in how recognition in cases of partial or missing documentation can be practically achieved and managed.