About Welcome Package

Welcome Package for Migrant Workers seeks to promote mobility of workers in Europe. It aims to make the workers’ integration in the host country and the workplace easier by preparing them  from their country of origin , and creating a network that will help these workers when they finally settle to their new jobs.

In spite of the current world economic crisis the, current prognosis show that Europe – specifically some countries – will need to import labour force especially in specific sectors to sustain economic growth and to maintain living standards.

Prior to the current economic downturn, increased  worker mobility from New membar States to EU15 had never been more intense. Northern European countries especially look to the new EU states to augment their scarce labour supply. Countries represented in this partnership – DK, NO, UK -- are among those in need of foreign workers, and currently the most popular destination for economic migrants. The exporters of labour force are represented by Poland and  Lithuania.

 These migrants assume their new jobs in a foreign country, unprepared – they do not speak the language, are unaware of the culture (social and workplace), of the country’s labour laws and their rights, are not aware of the difference in standard in their chosen job. Some do not have a job at hand – they go to these countries believing that finding a job would be easy. In general migrant workers (legal and illegal) travel to their destination unprepared. Thus, performance at the workplace is not optimised (language and culture barriers, local standards for specific professions). There are documented cases of workers being exploited (underpaid, unsafe working conditions, no safety nets), with some ending homeless in a foreign country. This is also a concern for employers, as workers’ productivity is not optimised.

The project will seek to prepare the migrant worker prior to leaving their country, and prepare a ‘Welcome package’ that will facilitate their adoption and integration to the workplace and the local community. The project will develop a flexibile and coherent training system with mentorship support consisting of:
1.   linguistic and digital competence module – containing a course on basic, survival language and  language related to specific professions. Initially we will identify professions occupied by migrants and profession-related vocabulary, work standards, safety, etc. A training on digital competence building to enable them to use the LCM platform and participate in e-learning will be conducted in the home country.
2.  cultural module – with the content on cultural differences, cultural codes as well as work culture, safety, rights, responsibilities, etc.
3.  social module – with the specification on important working law regulations as well as safety, health and environment information, with available Working Union consultation service

Apart from online multi-modules courses, the platform will offer possibility to build networks among learner’s supportive connections between mentors and learners. This e-learning will be complemented by periodic visitation of local mentors. The DK and UK partners will focus on the migrants from Poland; NO will focus on workers from Lithuania;  each ‘hiring’ country will identify the professions commonly entered by migrants in their country.

The following will be produced:

• training materials in Danish, Norwegian and English with the support translation in Polish and Lithuanian
• established network between employees and local networks between job offices and adult education providers
• dissemination plan – project promotion strategy and Final conference 
• brochures , promotion materials
• mentors online training together with mentors guidebook
• Basic ICT skills on line training for the target group

 This method provides the migrant worker flexibility in learning as well as provide information that he/she needs to be fully prepared before migrating, and upon arrival to the country.  Once in the country, a « Welcome package » that contains lessons on language and culture learning, mentoring, networking, logistical support (housing, schooling, unin, etc) will be provided.

The envisioned impact of the project will be :
Extension of the project product  and  serving as an innovative learning tool possible to transfer to other countries
Provision of lifelong learning for adult migrant workers by allowing them to learn another language and understanding other EU cultures, Improve their competences in their chosen profession,  provide compretence building  in digital-based learning and technology.
Increased sense of security og migrant facing the new work and culture reality
Increased mobility among workers within the union, and prevent  illegal hiring/working  and exploitation of workers.
Development of best practice to support mobility of workers in Europe.

The project is funded by the European Commission’s  Lifelong Learning Programme – Grundtvig Multilateral Partnerships sub programme.

The Partnership :

Videnscenter for Integration, (VIFIN, Resource Centre for Integration) , Denmark  - Coordinator

VFIN  was established in 2001 by the Vejle Municipality to facilitate the integration of migrants into the Danish society. It collects, adapts, develops and disseminates best practices on migrant integration. Its direction is set by a multi-sector Board composed of representatives from the municipality, regional government, labour union, employers confederation and the local Integration Council. It conducts researches and surveys on language learning, employment & cultural integration, and training programmes. Its flagship program involves the teaching of Danish as a Second Language using digital platforms: www.dansk.nu , a learning management system with grammar lessons, a mobile language laboratory, Our Common Language–a digital version of grammar comparisons of Danish with 10 other languages.The projects, dansk.nu and Our Common Language won in 2002 and 2007, respectively, the European Label for Innovative Project in Language Teaching  & Learning. At present, VIFIN is establishing an e-school, to teach Danish as a Second Language. The Centre has has 15 fulltime staff, and a  reach of over 5000 migrant students, accessed through its network of local and national public and private organisations, learning institutions and NGOs.

Polarsirkelen videregående skole, Opplaerings- og utviklingssenter Rana (OPUS Rana, Training and Development Center Rana, Polarsirkelen Upper Secondary School) - Norway

OPUS Rana is a part of Polarsirkelen upper secondary school. The school has 1300 pupils and 250 teachers. It has classes and teachers in all vocational areas, and classes preparing for higher education (academic, sport and art). During the last 20 years, more than 2500 adults have acquired vocational education (health personnel, electricians, industry related educations), courses in the school, and shortr courses (job related, ICT and others). OPUS Rana’s targets groups are aAdults that need re-qualification, mainly due to smaller physical damages in earlier jobs), and adults who did not get an education when they were young. Depending on the unemployment rates, the school conducts a variety of courses for the local job office. It also runs courses for migrants (language courses and job-related). OPUS delivers local guidance and lessons for the participants from the region.

Švietimo, tyrimų ir konsultacijų centras (ERCC, EducationResearch and Consultancy Centre) - Lithuania

ERCC is a non-profit, non-government organisation operating in the field of: employment, internship organising, formal and informal adult education, consulting and research. It provides such services to public and private sectors’ representatives and community members such as:  employment services, organising internships, assisting with staff selection; organisin courses, workshops and seminars for business enterprises and individual subjects on: Communication, Team and Conflict Management, Time Management, Presentation and Moderation Techniques, Projects’ Management, organising conferences, exhibitions and fairs; providing consultations on law, business, psychological, project preparation and management and other issues; implementing applied scientific and research activities in: education, work, culture, intercultural issues, psychology, gender and family, among others.

Fundacja Inicjatyw Lokalnych I Oswiatowych (FILO, Foundation of Local and Educational Initiatives) – Poland

FILO is a social development foundation that aims to: develop people’s skills and professional qualifications to address long-term and sustained unemployment; facilitate the development of a knowledge society by promoting modern teaching methods; and promote intellectual and organizational growth by supporting the local society and promoting social partnerships. To realize these objectives, the foundation: organizes and finances extracurricular and informational courses and conferences for the youth and adults; supports enterprises willing to facilitate the employment of disadvantaged groups in the open market; and publishes/co-finances book publication and periodicals. It has relevant experience in organizing adult education professional courses designed to combat sustained unemployment, and has a large network ok government and private institutions.

Edinburgh University Settlement, Community Learning Centre (EUS-CLC)- Scotland

EUS provides training, education and guidance to people from disadvantaged and or marginalized groups, enabling them to gain employment, enter further education or aid in life’s journey.  This is achieved by using a holistic educational platform which will empower learners in accordance with the principles of life long learning. Its aims are to: Assess participants' employment or training/education options; enable adults, who have gained little from the formal education system, to improve their basic skills and intellectual competences; enhance participants' job prospects through training, job-search training and work experience placements; provide and training equally; pperate and promote best practice and provide access to certification of skills and knowledge.