Integration of refugees in integration pre-apprenticeships (PAI) and VET programmes: the role of workplace guidance in the development of agency
Recognised refugees and temporarily admitted persons face the difficult challenge of fully integrating into the labour market and becoming active members of society. Vocational education and training and workplace guidance play a pivotal role in this process.
Achieving the integration of recognised refugees and temporarily admitted persons in the labour market is a key public policy objective. For the individuals themselves, it is also an important way to become active members of society in the host country. Given the importance of vocational education and training in this process, the integration pre-apprenticeship (PAI) programme was launched with the aim of preparing migrants over a one-year period for a nationally certified apprenticeship.
During the training process, guidance at the workplace and with the community of practice is crucial. Guidance can help to develop agency among learners during their training. This not only makes it easier for them to fully integrate into the labour market, but also encourages their active participation in society and contributes to their personal growth.
This project examines the various guidance practices used by host companies to help refugees during their pre-apprenticeship and assesses the impact that these practices have on the development of agency. The study is designed to achieve the following main objectives:
- Identify the various workplace guidance practices used at host companies during PAI.
- Identify the contextual elements that influence the creation and implementation of workplace guidance.
- Analyse the experiences of refugees in vocational education and training, and specifically in workplace guidance, in the light of their trajectory and current living conditions..
- Based on the outcome of the previous three objectives, assess the impact of workplace guidance on the development of agency among refugees during their integration pre-apprenticeship, considering the particularities of their trajectory.
The research findings will provide a general overview of workplace guidance given to refugees during their integration pre-apprenticeships at host companies. At the same time, they will provide insight into the contextual factors, obstacles and challenges associated with workplace guidance as well as success factors that facilitate the integration of refugees in vocational education and training. From a scientific standpoint, the research findings will help to fill gaps in knowledge regarding workplace guidance and development of agency by refugees. In terms of VET practices, the research findings will give rise to recommendations and proposed continuing training courses for trainers and supporters of training paths of refugees.
The study is being conducted in four cantons (covering both the French- and German-speaking regions of Switzerland), with a focus on a wide range of occupations covered by the PAI programme. An interdisciplinary approach has been chosen, taking into account psycho-social approaches and workplace learning theory. Qualitative methods will be used, including interviews with workplace trainers, on-site observations at host companies, discussion groups of practices with training managers as well as interviews on life stories with refugees taking part in PAI (and interviews with various stakeholders in the PAI programme).