Mini case studies – meeting 28 -29 April Sweden

1. Mini case studies – meeting 28 -29 April Sweden Kunskapsbolaget Integra AB (Sweden) has been providing adult and labor market education and staffing solutions since 1995 to various authorities such as employment offices, municipalities, EU agencies, Health Care centers ,as well as to private companies and public employers in Sweden and abroad Mission statement: • To provide skilled and competent manpower. • To enhance individual's employability status through life-long learning. • To train individuals to adapt to the demands of a competitive labour market. • To empower individuals and organizations by the use of diversity variables

2. THE MANAGEMENTS PERSPECTIVE • Q: What is your perspective on how you treat migrant and /or mobile workers? • A: We welcome potential employees of any background. In fact migrants and immigrants are much needed on the swedish labor market. • However in our field of work there are requirements such as langauge skills and vocational competency demands which have to be taken in account. • The question of validation of merits and documents is also an obstacle whick has to be atken in account. • This means that the period of training and introduction is an obstacle for may migrant workers which can cause a threshold. • In short we welcome migrant workers but at the same time the inital cost for training is an investement that has to be made. Very few are job ready from day one. • Q:Do you feel migrants/mobile workers are welcomed in your company? • A: As mentionded we welcome potential employees of any background. Our company has strategies for diversity and equal treatment, and we view having a different background as an added value in our organization. This also facilitates for us to meet our customers demand. • Q: How do you feel you facilitate training and development for migrants and / or mobile workers in your company? • We have been allocating funds for the specific purpose of raising the competence of our employees with migrant background. This measure is an indicator of our willingness to faciliatet the introduction and employability of the migrant workers. • THE MIGRANTS PERSPECTIVE • Q:How do you feel migrants and /or mobile workers are perceived in this company? • A: Most migrants feel grateful to have an employer who regards them as resources, however some might feel that they have to preform less skilled jobs. • Q: Do you feel your training and developmental needs are being addressed by your company? • A:Yes to a great extent however they feel the employer is making to high demands • Q: Are there any other issues re training and development in your company that you would like to be addressed by management? • A: The group feel that the company should offer more extensive vocational training. • Q: Hasthe company designed any social activities or created any opportunities to help you integrate into your local community? • A: Not really, they just encourage them to take part in general societal activities.

3. Training objectives and perspectives • Q: Company Management - what the training objectives are: • A: Swedish langauge and vocational language training. Training on manuals, routines, laws and regulations. Customer service • This training is provided exclusively for the migrant workers at the cost of the company. • Q: Migrants / mobile workers- perspective: • A: It is easy to see the benefits of learning swedish and vocational langauge. However they feel the management is making to high demands when it comes to swedish laws and regulations and service matters.