Integration of immigrant and minority groups
Good practice case study
Programme for Employment, Sweden
The programme started in year 2000 when Stockholm was facing a labour shortage in some occupational fields, especially in the elderly care services. At the same time the number of unemployed immigrants and refugees was very high. The Programme for Employment was designed to address the needs of refugees, immigrants and elderly care services. Today the programme also focuses on other trades experiencing labour shortages.
Almost one hundred percent of the participants who completed the programme achieved work after participating the Program for Employment. The project was originally located in two District Councils of Stockholm, but due to the good results and political support, the programme was introduced in all 18 District Councils of Stockholm.
Key lessons
- Local partnerships can be particularly beneficial in matching gaps in local services (for example elderly care services) with gaps in employment within the labour market.
- Language is a key aspect of any project to ensure the integration of migrant groups into the labour market.
- Domestic and personal services are particularly likely to become delivered within the informal economy. Providing regularised employment in these areas is one way of offering people a route into the formal labour market and away from unregularised employment.
Case study
Programme for Employment [pdf, en, 18kb]
