Government seeks proposals to help place refugees in workforce

Government seeks proposals to help place refugees in the workforce

Achieving better outcomes for all residents and communities of Newfoundland and Labrador is a priority if refugees are to find a way to enter and survive in the workforce, the government says.

Social, economic and cultural integration of newcomers to the province supports retention, and a pilot project introduced by the government on Tuesday aims to meet those goals.

The government has committed to working with service providers to develop and launch programs aimed at attaching refugees to the labour market more quickly.

“Refugees are eager to rebuild their lives in Newfoundland and Labrador, supporting future social, cultural and economic growth,” Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour Al Hawkins stated in a news release Tuesday.

“By partnering with organizations and service providers on these pilot projects, we can help remove barriers that prevent refugees from fully participating in our province’s workforce.”

Refugees tend to experience transitional challenges in labour market integration, Hawkins stated, and in many cases they have employment experience and are eager to contribute to the labour market, but face challenges due to lack of formal education or training credentials and language barriers.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Settlement and Integration Program (NLSIP) is designed to make the settlement and integration of immigrants in Newfoundland and Labrador smoother through supports to service providers, with the ultimate goal of successful integration and long-term residency in the province.

In 2016-17, the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism provided funding to organizations to deliver seven programs and services.

A request for proposals has been issued for pilot projects to test new, innovative approaches to further support the integration of refugees into the workforce.

The eligibility requirements for the request for proposals can be found online at www.aesl. gov.nl.ca/immigration.html. Proposals can be submitted by email to immigration@gov.nl.ca. Applications must be received before the close of business on Jan. 26.