Integrating Asylum Seekers: Challenges, Opportunities, and Best Practices in Västra Götaland, Sweden

1. Region Västra GötalandLabour market and Integration Fredrik Adolfsson, Director of Regional DevelopmentBrussels 12 October 2016

2. Västra Götaland • 25% of Sweden’s trade • Major transport hub in Scandinavia • European top position in R&D investments • Region Västra Götaland • Main tasks: • 18 hospitals, 200 primary care units, 175 dental clinics • Regional development; business development, public transportation, R&D, environment, infrastructureplanning, culture.. • 5billion Euro annual budget • 53,000 employees • 1.6 million inhabitants (Sweden 9,9 million) • 24 000 km2 • 49 municipalities • Major city: Gothenburg

3. The regional strategy for growth and development - Västra Götaland 2020: • A leading competence region • A region for all citizens • A region wherewetake global responsibility • A visible region thatengage the people

4. Our regions role in integration.. • Proper analysis • Big organisation – many internship possibilities and manyownrecruitmentneeds • Culture activities • Public transport to remoteasylum camps • Helpfinancing to spread best practise, not the least in asylum period, f ex language • Long term financingofentrepreneurshipsupport and Science discoverycenters • Connection with business organisations withmany different companies as members • Acknowledge the goodexample and the peoplewhostealmostgoodideas • Push legislation

5. Somegoodchallenges on one hand..

6. Asylumseekers per month in Sweden January 2011-September 2016 Total per year: 2014: 81 301 2015: 162 877 2016 (sept): 22 330 Source: The Swedish Migration Agency

7. Opportunities and challenges • Statistical differences in the level of employment (2016) • 65,5 % born in countries outside Sweden • 58,2 % born in countries outside the EU • 50 % of all unemployed in VästraGötaland are born in a countries outside Sweden • Immigration at the age of 7 and below have later the same employment ratio as people born in Sweden, after 7… • Lack of apartments Source: Sweden’s Public Employment Agency

8. The factthat the public sector in Sweden.. • haveverydecidedroles – we start oftenwithwho, thenwhat • From a leadership and resultpointofviewoneshouldconsider the opposite

9. On the other hand.. growth in the workforce is too small inside Sweden

10. 2025 wewill in Västra Götaland lack… 3000 Primaryschoolteachers 9500 nurses and similar 1000 universityengineers

11. Challenges for Region Västra Götaland as a provider of healthcare, medical care and dental care 2017-2021 Estimatedyearlyneedto recruit: 500 doctors 1000 nurses and midwives ….dentists, psychologists

12. Sometangiblefocuses

13. PLUS IntroCourse in Swedish languagewithintroduction to the healthcare system for newlyarriveddoctors, nurses and dentists Background: Inflowof immigrants withmedicaleducation+ long waitingtime for residencepermit+ lack ofhealthcarepersonnel = pilot 2015 Framework: Close collaboration and cofinancingwiththe Public Employment Service. Provider: Region Västra Götaland’s Folk HighSchools Purpose: To offer languagetraining at an earlystage, in targetgroups and with focus on occupation. Aim: Languagelevel C1 and a relevant preparation for work in Swedish healthcare. Extent: 150 participants in twoyears, 2016-17, courselength maximum 1 year.

14. “Fast tracks” – a national initiative applied in VästraGötaland • Initiative from the government to create faster ways into the labour market with special focus on newly arrived that has education and skills that are in demand • Every fast trackDEPENDS ON A DEAL between the EMPLOYERS AND THE TRADE UNION Components: Early language training, early assessment of experience, skills and motivation, validation and assessment of training and professional skills for sectoral demands, occupational and educational guidance, matching the fast track and work, Swedish Education relevant to the professional field. Language support, tutors and mentors in the workplace… Source: Sweden’s Public Employment Agency

15. Exampleof regional structuressupporting the entry to the labour market for immigrants • Initiatives from volounteers helpnewcomers to make contact with civil society and work during the waiting time to get the permission of residence • Wellfunctionning system for validation and recognitionof professions in about 30 branches • Good access to information on the Web for new arrivals in many languages • Welldevelopedcounselling for starting business available in the most common minoritylanguages. Koncernstab regional utveckling

16. Examplesof best practice in SOCIAL INCLUSION OF ASYLUMSEEKERS IN Västra Götaland: Support Group - Successful volontaryinitative for and by refugees in Sweden www.supportgroup.se DoubleCupcreate a simple meeting over a cup of coffee between asylum seekers and the business community in the City of Trollhättan. www.doublecup.se WELCOME CENTERS, pilot projects in small municipalitieswith a relativelyhighnumberofasylumseekers Film produced by Region Västra Götaland about Restad Support Group and Doublecup. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qHWXQhLHW4

17. Conclusions: Turnchallengesintoopportunities Urgent need to find new and sustainableapproaches to integration …sharingofgoodpractice---international interregional cooperation Här skriver du in sidfot