Page 145 - valuing-diversity-guidance-for-labour-market-integration-of-migrants

Valuing diversity: guidance for labour market integration of migrants

schools/VET suppliers, employers and employment services. Some countries
appear to have a stronger tradition in establishing network-based projects
(examples are Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden) also due to their
decentralised administrative and political structure.
The downside of non-institutionalised extensive networking is the lack of
coherence of initiatives in terms of quality criteria (such as competence of
professionals), monitoring tools and methodological frameworks. Almost all
European countries refer to effort to achieve a minimum level of inter-regional
coordination of integration networks, either through technical cooperation or
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central definition of minimum guidelines ( ). This process is, however, slow.
Exchange of experiences with other countries in analogous situations has been
quoted in interviews as an important source of inspiration to achieve greater
coherence of practices. Again, this would require an effort in developing an
evidence base on the effect of integration practices and corresponding guidance
activities, with shared principles and standards across European countries.
OSSs for immigrants are a growing demand in Europe. There is a clear need
for an integrated approach in the reception of immigrants, given the severe basic
needs that many of them feel, on arrival, in such diverse areas as housing,
health, language skills, the understanding of the local norms, culture and
institutions. From both a logistical and human perspective, it is often more
amenable and efficient to provide all relevant services for immigrant integration
under a single roof. This delivers swift help to arriving citizens to overcome basic
obstacles and prepare them for further stages of integration. Basic guidance for
labour market integration can start at this stage, informing and advising
immigrants about training options, labour market regulations, recognition of
qualifications and forwarding them to other relevant organisations. CNAI OSSs,
from the Portuguese High Commissariat for Immigration are a well-established
national network.

6.3. Quality and adaptability of practices

Quality assurance and evidence collection occurs in a non-standardised way.
Although most of the practices identified report some form of evaluation – often
enquiring about client satisfaction – there are no shared methods of evaluation.
Some of the identified methods include:
(a) number of users per provision;

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( ) See, for example, the European migration network factsheets.

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