Examples of Best Practice Examples
What is The Bridges Project? The The Bridges Project is a work shadow The scheme open to both refugees and asylum seekers. Refugees Refugees and asylum seekers are matched with a Scot of the same profession.
The The refugee or asylum seeker works alongside their host, one day each week for a period of twelve weeks. During this time the refugee will help the host with their normal daily tasks.
The scheme has been running for almost The two years, during which time we have placed more than 70 individuals.
Which occupations have been placed? have Some of the skills which have been Some placed so far:
Plumbers IT Technicians
Architects Electricians
Managers Accountants
Doctors Teachers Doctors Social Workers Engineers
Administrators Academics
Pharmacists Vets
Lawyers Graphic Designers
What are the benefits for the employer? employer? Work Shadowing demonstrates a Work company's commitment to: company's Equal Opportunities E
Social Justice S
Partnership Working Partnership
Work Shadowing also helps a company to develop employees as coaches or mentors coaches
What are the benefits for the refugee? refugee? Work shadowing gives an asylum Work seeker or refugee: seeker 1. Their first glimpse of the Scottish Their workplace. workplace.
- An opportunity to see first-hand hand how his or her job operates in Scotland. Scotland.
- The chance to meet like-minded minded professionals. professionals.
- An opportunity to get references. An
What works? What A good vocational match between a A skilled individual and a welcoming company. company.
The The more detailed the plan of activity for the shadower, the richer shadower the placement. the
When When The Bridges Project can work in partnership with other agencies capable of giving specialist advise e.g. Refugee Doctors Programme. Refugee
When When one person in an organisation is given specific responsibility for the welfare of refugees or asylum seekers. refugees
What doesn't work? What
When a refugee or asylum seeker has so many immigration or welfare problems they cannot concentrate or attend their placement.
When a refugee or asylum seeker has been given bad advice, leading to unrealistic expectations of the Scottish working environment.
When there is no route for the asylum seeker or refugee to return to their former profession, leading to long-term frustration.
Case Studies Case (all names have been changed)
Abdel is an asylum seeking Civil Engineer from Iran. He took up his work shadow placement with a large construction firm soon after arriving in the UK almost two years ago.It soon became clear that his skill level was far higher than most Scottish engineers and the company let us know they wanted to offer Abdel a job. The company were able to apply for a work permit on his behalf. Last week his work permit application was granted and he will now be working with the construction firm on a full- time basis.
Arnold is an asylum seeking accountant from Zimbabwe. He was given a work shadow placement with a large financial services department. After missing the first two days of his placement, Arnold let us know that his wife and new baby were having health problems due the stress of living in temporary hotel accommodation over a nine month period, and that he believed he could be transported to Dungavel in the near future. He cancelled his placement and disappeared from contact.
More Case Studies More Thomas is an electrician from Pakistan who has been having trouble getting his skills assessed. He was given a placement within the building department of a large University. Over a three month period Thomas' confidence and commitment soared. He is now going to be one of the first electricians tested under a new pilot scheme to accredit and upskill refugee tradespeople.
Aisha is an asylum seeking teacher from Egypt. During her placement in a local primary school, she was given responsibility for coaching a small group of pupils who were behind in their class work. Over a three month period she was able to turn around both their test results and their confidence. When she had an accident recently, four members of the school staff surprised her with a home visit.
What next? What
In the future we hope to:
· Work in partnership with other Work agencies to create a number of fast-track retraining routes. fast
· Continue and expand our work Continue shadow placements shadow
· Help with the development of a Help thorough system of career advice throughout the city advice
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