More than 180 migrants and refugees participated in training on occupational safety and labour legislation in construction through the In2C project. Organised by the Fundación Laboral de la Construcción, a partner in this EU-funded initiative under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), the training took place across centres in Andalucía, Cantabria, Las Palmas, and Navarra, with support from CEAR Sevilla and Cruz Roja Cantabria. Participants came from Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Venezuela, Morocco, Mali, and Ukraine.

In2C aims to integrate third-country nationals into the European construction labour market through training and networking with companies. The pilot sessions tested a virtual learning platform on safety and labour rights, a construction terminology glossary, and an online assessment tool. Participants found the training valuable, especially the glossary for workplace communication, and expressed interest in further learning.

Sessions were held in Las Palmas, Andalucía (Jerez de la Frontera and Seville), Navarra, and Cantabria, with over 90 trainees in the latter. The initiative is also being piloted in Greece, Cyprus, and Sweden to refine the programme.

Since 2018, Fundación Laboral has been part of this EU-wide consortium, led by the Technical Chamber of Greece, alongside partners from Spain, Greece, Cyprus, and Sweden. The project promotes collaboration between employers and migrant workers to improve employment opportunities and break down barriers in the construction sector.

Spain's Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration is expanding refugee integration efforts through strategic corporate partnerships and sector-specific training programs. Companies such as COBRA Group and INECO are actively recruiting refugees, particularly in the construction and renewable energy sectors. The COBRA Group has trained and hired refugees for photovoltaic plant construction in Cáceres, providing occupational risk prevention training and temporary accommodation support. This initiative is now being expanded to Valladolid. Meanwhile, INECO, a key player in Spain’s infrastructure and engineering sector, conducted 282 job interviews, primarily targeting refugees with technical and engineering backgrounds, highlighting the sector’s potential for skilled workforce integration.

Beyond construction, the Ministry’s broader employment programs include job fairs, mentoring initiatives, and partnerships with multinationals such as Amazon, IKEA, and Cisco Systems. A recent job fair in Madrid, co-organized with the TENT Foundation, facilitated employment for 100 refugees, while the Mentoring Programme for Refugee Women, in collaboration with UNHCR, is supporting skills development and career transitions. These initiatives are helping address Spain’s labour shortages, particularly in construction and green energy, while fostering long-term economic and social integration for refugees.

Facing a significant labour shortage, the region of Galicia in Spain has launched an innovative program aimed at regularizing undocumented immigrants by providing free training in sectors experiencing high demand for workers. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the regional government, the charitable organization Cáritas, and local businesses.

The program is grounded in a government decree known as "arraigo para la formación," which requires participants to undergo professional training and secure employment contracts as a pathway to legal residency. Since its inception, the initiative has benefited hundreds of immigrants, offering them residency permits and stable employment opportunities in industries such as hospitality, construction, tourism, and agriculture.

Due to its success, the regional government has decided to expand the program, allocating additional funds to support more foreign workers. This approach not only addresses labor shortages but also promotes the social and economic integration of immigrants into the community.

Spain's construction industry is currently struggling with a substantial labour shortage, with the Confederación Nacional de la Construcción (CNC) estimating a deficit of approximately 700,000 workers. This shortfall persists despite the sector offering competitive salaries and having made significant strides in improving working conditions.

A notable concern is the industry's inability to attract younger workers, who represent a shrinking 9.6% of the total workforce. Challenge to attract youth is largely attributed to the sector's damaged reputation following the 2008 financial crisis and the perception of construction work as being particularly demanding and dangerous.

In response to these challenges, the CNC, along with other industry stakeholders, has proposed several initiatives. These include promoting the industrialisation of construction processes to modernize the industry, implementing strategies to improve the sector's public image, and facilitating the regularization and comprehensive training of migrants to integrate them into the workforce effectively.

www.gov.ie

The Citizens Information page titled "Supports for Ukrainians in Ireland" provides a range of information for refugees from Ukraine, including:

1. Accommodation and Recognition Payment: Those providing accommodation for Ukrainian refugees can receive €800 per month.
2. Social Welfare: Refugees are eligible for the Temporary Protection Payment, offering financial support (e.g., €38.80 weekly for adults and €29.80 for children).
3. Healthcare: Ukrainian refugees can access health services through the public system.
4. Employment: Information is provided on the right to work and how to seek employment in Ireland.
5. Education: Details on enrolling children in schools and accessing educational resources for refugees.
6. Language Supports: There are language programs available for refugees, including English language courses and translation/interpretation services. These services help refugees communicate effectively while integrating into Irish society.

Website:  www.citizensinformation.ie

The Accommodation Recognition Payment is a government initiative designed to acknowledge the generosity of individuals who have opened their homes to host people arriving in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive. This payment offers €800 per property where at least one person is being hosted. A maximum of 15 properties can be added to a single application.

Eligibility Criteria:

To qualify for this payment, you must:

• Be providing (or have provided) accommodation to a person who has arrived in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive.
• Ensure that the accommodation meets the required standards.

Application Process:

Applications can be submitted online through the MyWelfare portal. A basic or verified MyGovID account is required to apply. Detailed information and the application form are available on the MyWelfare website.

For further assistance or inquiries, you can contact the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection through the contact details provided on their official website.

Website:  www.mywelfare.ie

The UNHCR's "Training opportunities, skills assessment and recognition" page offers resources to assist refugees in enhancing their skills and obtaining recognition for their qualifications. Key components include:

Training Opportunities:

• Coursera for Refugees: Provides access to online courses across various subjects, enabling refugees to acquire new skills and knowledge.
• Skills to Succeed Academy: Offers training programs aimed at improving employability and vocational skills.

Skills Assessment and Recognition:

• EU Skills Profile Tool for Third Country Nationals: Assists in creating a profile of an individual's skills and experience, serving as a foundation for personalized advice on further steps, such as recognition of diplomas, skills validation, further training, or employment support services.
• European Qualifications Passport for Refugees (EQPR): A standardized document that outlines the qualifications a refugee is likely to have based on available evidence. While it doesn't constitute formal recognition, it summarizes information on the applicant’s educational level, work experience, and language proficiency.

These resources aim to facilitate refugees' integration into host societies by enhancing their skills and ensuring their qualifications are recognized, thereby improving employment opportunities and overall well-being.

Website:  www.unhrc.ie

This is a comprehensive guide site for individuals arriving from Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict.

Key areas of support are:

1. Social Welfare Supports:

• Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) Payment: Adults receive €38.80 weekly, and children €29.80 weekly, subject to an income test.

2. Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP):

• A tax-free payment of €800 per month for each property used to provide accommodation to refugees from Ukraine.

3. Temporary Protection Directive:

• Information on temporary protection available for people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Website: www.citizensinformation.ie

The "Rough Guide to Ukrainian Qualifications in the Context of the Irish National Framework of Qualifications" is an information supplement prepared by NARIC Ireland. It aims to assist Irish employers and education providers in recognizing Ukrainian qualifications by providing background information on Ukraine's education and training system and offering detailed insights into individual qualifications. This guide complements NARIC Ireland's free, online searchable foreign qualifications database, which provides advisory comparability statements for individual qualifications. These statements compare an academic qualification to an Irish qualification of a similar major award type and level on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) wherever possible. Recognition decisions regarding a qualification are made by employers, education and training providers, and competent authorities, not by NARIC Ireland.

Website: www.qqi.ie