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Refugees, migrants and employment in the Midlands Leicestershire Branch CIPD 24 February 2011 Ken Lowles. Data based on research by the Applied Social Studies Dept at Birmingham University 2010 and Warwick University Institute of Employment Research 2007. How Educated / Skilled Are They?.
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Refugees, migrants and employment in the MidlandsLeicestershire Branch CIPD 24 February 2011Ken Lowles Data based on research by the Applied Social Studies Dept at Birmingham University 2010 and Warwick University Institute of Employment Research 2007
How Educated / Skilled Are They? • Mainly 25-35, single, male • Increasing number of women • 35% college education • 25% university • 25% no education • 51% employed in country of origin • 29% skilled 21% managerial • 9% technical 6% professional • 20% never employed
What Can They Do? 36% wholesale / retail trade / motor vehicle repair 11% manufacturing 7% transport and communication 6% business activities 6% construction 5% health 4% hotel / catering 3% education 2% finance
Profile of Refugeesfrom Wardlow Road Refugee Centre 22 out of 32 previously employed Six highly skilled or semi-professionals – for example midwife, radiographer, social worker, veterinary nurse. 3 skilled workers – mechanics (2), electrician. 3 semi-skilled – bulldozer driver, welder, aluminium worker. 2 who worked on the family farm. 2 who worked in the family shop. 1 who managed a sizeable factory. 6 employed in 2007, one in a skilled job.
Why are they unemployed? • Only 14% employed in 2003. • 18% emmployed in 2007. • All in low skilled work. • Barriers to employment. • Language - 66% can speak / write English • UK qualifications • UK work experience • Understanding UK system • Employers beliefs and attitudes • Lack of resources in JCP to link refugees to appropriate employment or learning. • Re-qualification impossible under Job Seekers Allowance. • 16 hrs per week or more lose Job Seekers Allowance.
What do employers think about refugees and migrant workers? • Don’t know difference between categories • Unsure about their legal position. Worried about:~ • language, cultural barriers • What workforce will think • What customers will think • Burden of bureaucracy • Most suitable for unskilled & hidden work
About Economic Migrants • About 122,000 non-UK nationals in East Midlands 2006 * • Majority : from Indian sub-continent • Worker Reg Scheme: 48,000, and majority are Polish. Seasonal Agricultural Work Programme • Of Accession country migrants 20% aim to stay; 80% to earn money then go home, and set up business *Labour Force Survey
How Skilled Are They • 28.8% respondents had a degree • 14.5% a Masters • But 32% did not respond • Degree rate likely to be between 12 and 24% (slightly higher than the Midlands average) Green et al. (2007) study covering West Midlands web at Warwick.
What do migrant workers do? • 87% employed at the time of this survey (2009) • 3% unemployed • 53% employed prior to UK • 30% had been students • EU migrants more attractive than others Daily Mail 1st June 2009
Conclusions & Suggestions Migrant labour an important part of region’s workforce. IPPR * argues that skilled migrants key to competitiveness and economic recovery. Tendency to under-employ except in health. Refugees tend to be overlooked. Look at your company’s application process. Offer work trials / internships Engage with the organisations developing work experience and employment initiatives.*Institute for Public Policy Research
