Refugee integration is a pressing issue in the UK, and one of the most critical aspects of this process is employment. Despite various support systems, there remains a significant gap in employment rates between refugees and the general population. According to recent figures from the Home Office, refugees are 20% less likely to be employed compared to the wider UK population.
Maximising Refugee Employability in the Southeast
To address this, my current research focuses on understanding the role of local councils in improving refugee employability in the Southeast. I aim to uncover the on-the-ground realities faced by local council employees, councillors, and charity workers who are directly involved in supporting refugees. My goal is to identify not only the challenges and barriers that hinder refugee employment, but also to highlight successful strategies that can be shared across the region.
Recently, I had the opportunity to discuss this topic at Kent Business School during a Business Soundbite event, where the audience asked thought-provoking questions that reinforced the importance of this work. However, to truly make an impact, I need your help.
Do you have contacts? Can you help?
I’m currently seeking insights from local council employees, councillors, and charity workers who have experience working on refugee employability issues in the Southeast. If you or someone you know fits this description, I would love to hear from you. A short interview could provide valuable insights that will not only contribute to my research, but could also help inform broader strategies for supporting refugee employment.
Your input is crucial. By sharing your experiences and knowledge, you can help create a clearer picture of how local councils can better serve refugees in their communities. Together, we can work towards closing the employment gap and ensuring that refugees are not just surviving but thriving in the UK.
Email me at jjwm@kent.ac.uk – your insights could contribute to making a real difference to the lives of refugees seeking to rebuild their careers in a new country.
Joel Montgomery, Lecturer in Management at Kent Business School