Page 116 - valuing-diversity-guidance-for-labour-market-integration-of-migrants

Valuing diversity: guidance for labour market integration of migrants

priorities are being observed in their development. The main points are
synthesised below:
(a) the EU has, in the past two decades, developed an incremental framework
of legislation, recommendations, analysis and support instruments which
establishes access to equal rights and obligations for third-country
immigrants. This framework also encourages and supports national states to
take responsibility for integrating migrants in all its dimensions, including
labour market, education and civic participation;
(b) one of the fundamental aspects of the European framework is attracting and
promoting the mobility of highly qualified labour. Reportedly, this has an
inductive effect on national policies: transposition of EU directives is a strong
stimulus for system development at national level;
(c) great effort is being made at national level to create coordination between
ministries and administrative levels responsible for the different aspects of
immigration and integration. In spite of relative success in simplifying
processes, the reduction of process times, and the reduction of bureaucracy,
many limitations remain;
(d) adequate institutional coordination, clear public support for integration
policies and effective engagement of employers, social partners and
immigrant communities are still to be achieved in many countries. These
have been identified as success factors for the establishment of successful
coordination initiatives, such as the OSS;
(e) alongside the effort to simplify and make procedures more effective,
countries have striven to make admission and integration systems more
responsive to the growth needs of the economy. As a result, the admission
of third-country immigrants has become more selective and geared towards
highly qualified citizens. Quotas, occupational lists and point-based systems
have been introduced to intensify the demand-driven character of the
system. Higher rates of employer participation – especially SMEs – in the
definition of the PBS are reported as necessary to increase the efficacy of
these mechanisms;
(f) induction programmes which introduce immigrants to the culture, language,
systems and institutions of the receiving countries are a first important step
towards successful integration. They provide a base for autonomous career
development, by addressing the development of key skills. These initiatives
have more impact when complemented by further CMS development and
initial career planning. For this purpose, formative assessment
methodologies are currently being used (skills portfolios). These
methodologies are reportedly more successful when supported by a strong

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