Page 2 - euroguidance-insight-newsletter-2016-autumn

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Integration of Refugees and Newcomers through Employ-

ment and Job Coaching

In Flanders, as in the rest of Eu- tives. target group. To guide refugees
rope, participation in the labor and newcomers towards the la-
market has proven to be a sig- In 2016, VDAB set up a communi- bor market, partner organisa-
nificant factor in the long-term in- cation campaign to inform refugees tions can use flyers in different
tegration of asylum seekers and and newcomers directly about its languages, information through
immigrants into society. Their services. The campaign kicked off the VDAB website, online videos
first priority is usually housing on July 14th, when the Flemish on VDAB services (available in
and residency, closely followed Minister for Work and State Sec- 7 languages) and appointment
by employment. retary for Asylum and Migration to- cards.
gether signed a declaration of intent
In 2015, the Flemish Public to form a structural partnership be- Integration through employment
Employment Agency (VDAB) tween VDAB and Fedasil (Federal is also facilitated by encouraging
launched ‘Integration Through Agency for the Reception of Asylum employers to engage newcom-
Work’: an action plan that facil- Seekers). Cooperation agreements ers or refugees who do not (yet)
itates accelerated activation of were also concluded with the Flem- have the required skills. VDAB
refugees and newcomers in the ish Integration Agency, the Union of offers three programmes: Dutch
labour market. Referral of refu- Flemish Cities and Municipalities on the workfloor (professional
gees and newcomers to VDAB (VVSG) and the Ministry of Educa- Dutch language training in the
mainly happens through its part- tion and Training. workplace), On-the-job training
ners: Public Centres for Social (paid or unpaid internship with
Welfare (OCMW’s), Flemish The communication campaign in- clearly defined learning out-
Agency for Integration, the shel- volved several tools developed by comes) or Job coaching.
ters and local reception initia- VDAB to meet the needs of the