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Valuing diversity: guidance for labour market integration of migrants

CHAPTER 8.
Key messages

Chapter 8 synthetises the conclusions and discussions from previous chapters
and derives key messages from the lessons learned. The key messages are
divided into system level, primarily aimed at policy-makers and organisations,
and delivery level messages, mainly aimed at managers and practitioners.

8.1. Key messages at system level

8.1.1. Cooperation, coordination and commitment at and across sector
and levels of administration
Good interministerial cooperation will help guidance services to support
immigrants more effectively from the moment they enter the country until they
find a job. Across Europe the process for immigrant admission is normally shared
between several ministries, usually including foreign affairs and justice. The
support that immigrants receive to integrate into society and the economy is also
shared between a number of ministries, such as economy, employment,
education, health and social security. The more intensive and structured the
cooperation is between these ministries, the better will be the outcomes of
integration strategies.
Effective coordination ensures that, at the moment of arrival, besides being
informed about administrative procedures, people are directed to services that
help them have their diplomas recognised, their non-formally or informally
acquired competences and work experiences validated, and enable them to
access employment services and education and training as necessary. Certain
tools, such as portfolios, can be used to document the results of skills audits and
the information provided by guidance services, and to carry them on to the next
organisation’s career support service. Good cooperation and documentation
create the conditions for good follow-up, further labour market integration and
career development. Effective lifelong support to the career of immigrants implies
the need for solid linkages across policy fields.
Coordination challenges derive partly from integration policy and partly from
guidance policy. Career development services are inserted or embedded in other
policy areas. For example, career development support generally tends to be
fragmented: it exists in education via schools counsellors and career education

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