«Young refugees can score points with their motivation»

Ms Baumann, young refugees are in a difficult starting position when it comes to finding their way into vocational training. What basic requirements are necessary for them to be able to enter this process at all?

Legally speaking, young refugees are allowed to take up an apprenticeship as long as they do not have an N permit. It is practically impossible to work with this permit. Even if this would theoretically be permitted after a blocking period of three to six months, the Cantonal Office for Economic Affairs and Labour does not issue work permits in practice. Experience has also shown that it is very beneficial if the initial orientation phase has already been completed.

There is often a great deal of scepticism about hiring refugees if they can only present themselves on paper.

Does that mean they should have already settled in Switzerland?

It is very difficult to integrate into a country with little money and few contacts. This process takes a lot of time. When starting a new job, it helps if at least the initial arrival process has been completed and resources are free to get involved in something new.

What else is needed to ensure that the search for a career start for refugees is successful?

Initial language skills are important, and familiarisation with the Swiss education system is certainly useful. It is also very important to protect young refugees in particular, who may even be here alone, from social isolation.

At incluso, volunteer mentors support young people in their search for an apprenticeship. This creates direct contact with the local population.

We have had very good experiences with these tandems. Mentors become important reference persons for refugees - but also for other young people with a migration background. This enables cultural understanding, but also opens up access to the network of someone who has lived and worked here for years.

If refugees can introduce themselves in person and demonstrate their skills, any concerns quickly disappear.

This is certainly helpful, but there are often language and academic deficits that make it difficult to start a career. How can these be overcome?

For late migrants and refugees, it is important that they are allowed to introduce themselves personally to decision-makers at a company. Many are extremely motivated to find an apprenticeship. If they are given the opportunity to show this in a taster apprenticeship, their chances increase significantly. There is often a great deal of scepticism about hiring refugees if they can only present themselves on paper.

Why is that?

Refugees often have a less linear school career. In addition, there are cultural differences that lead to misunderstandings, the uncertain situation that comes with an F permit, for example, or the fear that someone might not be able to complete vocational school and the apprenticeship would therefore have to be filled again. This is associated with effort in everyday working life. However, if refugees are able to introduce themselves personally and score points in practical work with their skills and interested demeanour, these concerns quickly disappear.