Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has forced nearly 6 million Ukrainian refugees to flee to Europe, with 4.1 million benefiting from temporary protection. This status grants them residency and access to the labour market, medical services, and education. This massive influx presents a significant challenge for host countries and their education and employment systems.
Meanwhile, the construction industry faces a severe labour shortage, with up to 1.5 million additional workers needed between 2023-2030, and 1.2 million workers required to replace ageing staff. This shortage offers a significant opportunity to integrate refugees into the workforce.
In 2021, migrants made up only 9.2% of the construction workforce, compared to 18.4% in the overall labour force in Northern, Southern, and Western Europe. Ukrainian refugees, often possessing higher academic qualifications and professional skills, can help fill this gap. However, they face challenges such as discrimination, language barriers, and cultural differences.
Welcome Work aims to address these challenges by providing immediate and appropriate access to employment-related training for refugees while educating construction industry employers on creating inclusive work environments.
