The CIPD Trust published guidance to help employers and HR professionals recruit and retain refugees.
The guide highlights relevant legislation, and organisations that have supported refugees in finding employment. The guide also looks at the benefits to businesses of hiring refugees. These include addressing skills gaps and shortages in the labour markets, creating diverse teams, and promoting social responsibility.
UNHCR data shows that there were more than 488,000 refugees in the UK last year. According to research by the Commission for Integration of Refugees, 33% of refugees have a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree. 26% of refugees have a graduate degree or an equivalent degree.
Refugees are often endowed with important skills, such as adaptability and resilience.
Sally Eley is the head of the CIPD Trust. She said, “At the CIPD Trust we are passionate about helping those who face the greatest barriers to employment. Refugees are often forced to rebuild their lives in the UK after fleeing conflict, climate disaster or persecution.
The organisations that help them start their lives over can make a meaningful difference.
Jen Stobart is the director of Tent UK. A network of more than 70 companies that connect refugees with work. She said, “Hiring refugee workers is a win-win situation.” Securing meaningful employment is an important step for refugees in rebuilding their life and integrating themselves into their new community. Businesses can access a talent pool of dedicated and resilient individuals who bring fresh perspectives, strong work ethics, and high retention rates. Hiring refugees is a way to strengthen our economy and solve the labour shortages in our country.
“Yet as they try to secure meaningful employment for refugees, they face many structural obstacles that businesses can help overcome.” HR professionals are essential in successfully recruiting refugee talent and onboarding them.
In 2017, Starbucks launched a programme to hire refugees in partnership with Refugee Council UK.
Russell Butcher is the director of strategic programs and partner resources for Starbucks EMEA. He said, “Refugees have many of those winning qualities and skills that we are looking for.” It goes beyond the skills and attributes refugees bring to Starbucks. We want to help them thrive in new ways.
In the UK, we work in collaboration with Refugee Council UK. Over 400 refugees have enrolled in a program that provides training to help them rebuild their lives by finding employment.
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