“Government Strategies for Employing High Skilled Immigrants” Sam Yildirim, Integration Policy Expert County Administration

Introduction to the Administration The Stockholm County Administration is a knowledge-based organization, which guarantees that the Parliament and the Government’s decisions are realized. The Administration coordinates the county’s different interests and assures sustainable economic, social and environmental development. It is assigned to very many different duties including supporting equal rights for all despite ethnic and cultural background. It prevents discrimination and racism as well as supports social development.

Introduction Many of the immigrants and refugees that come to and the Stockholm region have high academic degrees as well as many years of skilled labor behind them. As an example, 80% of the newly arrived in Södertälje, a city south of Stockholm, are high skilled immigrants. This is an important asset to our society, both with regards to a socioeconomic and labor market perspective. A study carried out by the Swedish National Labor Market Administration, shows that only four out of ten high skilled immigrants have jobs equal to their level of education. Most immigrants feel forced to take jobs far below their level of competence. At the same time the labor market, despite the current slowdown in economy, lacks high skilled labor. The labor market has, simply far too many times failed to take advantage of the available skilled labor.

The Need to Recruit is Extensive There is a large shortage of skilled labor within the public sector and the need to recruit teachers, guardians, nurses and doctors is extensive. The shortage of skilled labor within health care sector will amount to 3 400 persons by year 2007. 1

Studies show that approximately 114 000 persons were employed by the different municipalities in the Stockholm county during 1999. Due to job changes and pensions the Stockholm County Administration estimates that the shortage within the public sector between 2002-2009 will amount to 129 000. Consequently, the need to recruit in the future will be larger than the collected number of personnel employed by the county in 1999.2

These are a few scenarios of today’s labor market in Sweden. Scenarios that have encouraged the Stockholm County to initiate two projects, Swedish for Academics (SFA) and the employment fare Rekryteringsbazar .

Swedish for Academics (SFA) The labor shortage within the health care sector is alarming. There are many high skilled immigrants such as doctors and nurses living in the county that could reduce this shortage. The road from a residence permit to a job is long and tedious. It is marked by a lot of obstacles that makes the high skilled immigrant restless, he or she looses motivation and rather than waiting they take a job that is far below their level of competence. A special course adapted to the health care sector would shorten the road to a work permit and employ an increasing number of immigrant doctors and nurses.

Language Skills as a Means For Integration Must Not be Undermined.

1 “Rätt man på fel plats”, report by the Swedish National Labor Market Administration 2 Swedish Association of Local Employees Language is often the sole factor to how fast a foreigner can enter the employment market. Swedish courses for immigrants are offered throughout all of Sweden. But they differentiate in style and at some places immigrants are only given the opportunity to study part time. Motivated students with experienced study skills often want to study full time and thereby complete their studies faster. The first SFA-program was started at Södertörn University in January 2001. The goal was to offer a more individual program for high skilled immigrants and to shorten the study period. The vision today is for the project to become permanent and to set up an organization called “SFA Academy”, which teaches Swedish to high skilled immigrants.

Focus on the Health Care Sector SFA, which will run until December 2003, mainly focuses its efforts on high skilled immigrants that hold university degrees in medicine or nursery. At Södertörn University there are two programs for medical education (SVA-vård). The focus on health care is partly a result of a rising labor shortage within this sector and partly because the profession demands permits. The road to work is a little bit more complex for this group than for other high skilled immigrants. When the project period is terminated, we hope for the SFA program to become part of the ordinary education program. In addition, we hope to widen the project to include other disciplines such as pedagogy, technology and economics.

High Tempo During Class SFA’s main goal is to simplify the road to work for new arrivals to Sweden. The road is mapped and individually adapted from the day of arrival to Sweden. So far the SFA program has shown good results and the students have completed the education in eight months, a program that usually takes two years. The students feel motivated and enjoy learning with peers of similar profession, and when they see that their studies progress. Full time studies and internships are also attractive.

SFA Points the Way to Work The road to work for immigrant nurses or doctors has in the past been very complicated. It is many times very difficult for newly arrived to know how to get around and to understand the language and the functions of the different authorities.

One example: In order for a foreigner to practice as a nurse or a doctor in Sweden The National Board of Health and Welfare must authorize the foreign degree and the evaluation is done on a case-to-case basis. members are automatically granted the authorization, however immigrants from outside the European Union must complete a number of tests in order to receive a Swedish work permit. They are tested for language skills and medical proficiency and must complete courses in social sciences. They need to complete internships and complete probationary service. 3

The goal of SFA is to assist high skilled immigrants to get a job that they are trained to do. A job should already from start be natural and easy access.

3 The National Board of Health and Welfare The Education Process:

SFA After SFA

Swedish for immigrants (Sfi) Complimentary schooling granted by the National (Intensive course) Board of Health and Welfare Swedish as a second language (Sas) (Intensive course, elementary level) Health Care Swedish at Folkuniversitetet

Health Care Swedish Additional medical terminology studies at for example the Stockholm project for foreign doctors nurses Study visits within the health care sector Other forms of health care education including Social and work orientation internships

Computer litteracy Other professionals

Swedish as second language high school level courses held at universities.

SFA in short

• SFA students with a university degree shall reach the second level of education and shall be able to study professional Swedish within in a year • 250 participants will complete the SFA program between January 2001-December 2003 • The program shall strengthen and improve the current SFA education • The goal is to dramatically shorten the study time and to facilitate the road to work • The SFA project is a cooperation between the Swedish ESF Council, Växtkraft Mål 3 and the Stokholm County Administration • The project’s budget amounts to 22,6 million Swedish kronor. The municipalities contribute 17,9 million Swedish kronor and the EU Goal Three 4,7 million Swedish kronor. The remaining funds are shared between the Stockholm County Administration, the Stockholm County Council and the Swedish National Labor Market Administration • Prior to the SFA program it took on average 4-5 years to get a certificate to work within the Swedish Health Care sector, the goal to shorten this process to two years.

Recruitment Bazaar- A Meeting Point and the Importance of a Network for Jobs The employment fare, Rekryteringsbazar is another example of an effort to increase employment and improve integration in the Stockholm region. Behind the project stand among others the Swedish National Labor Market Administration and the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise. 4

Personal contacts are often the main ingredient when finding a job. Rekryteringsbazar serves as an arena for networking between job seekers and employers. The bazaar, which took place during two days in September 2001 at the Stockholm Cultural Center, was a real success and above everyone’s expectations. It was visited by almost 5000 job seekers who meet with approximately 40 exhibitors. Visitors gained tips and were consulted on how to successfully apply for a job. The tempo was high to meet employers and to set up interviews.

4 Rekryteringsbazaren 2001 was arranged in cooperation with The Federation of Private Enterprises, The Swedish Integration Board, Swedish Association for Local Authorities, SACO, Stockholm City, ESF council, Växtkraft Mål 3, and the Swedish Federation of Enterprises

The evaluation of the first Rekryteringsbazar shows that 62 percent of the visitors came to the bazaar to find a job and 20 percent stated that they gained contacts, which they believe will lead to a job in the future. It is almost impossible to estimate how many visitors got a job in the end, but an educated guess leans towards hundred persons.

A comment from an employer “We hope to find a few foreign dentists who would like to start working with us”, Folktandvården

Rekryteringsbazar in short

• 5000 visitors during the two day fare • Approximately 40 employers ranging from the Swedish Dentists Association to Swedbank exhibited • 53% of the visitors held a foreign university degree • 62% of the visitors came to the bazaar to find a job • Out of all of the job seekers 35% (or 20% of the total number) stated that they had received contacts which they believe will lead to employment • 30 different languages were represented among the visitors • The exhibitors found that being able to get in touch with job seekers very valuable • The majority of the jobs available were found within the public sector • The budget amounted to 1.2 million Swedish kronor

Find out more at www.rekryteringsbazar.nu www.ab.lst.se

For more information on the Stockholm County Administration’s integration policies or more specific questions with regards to SFA and Rekryteringsbazar, please contact Sam Yildirim, phone +46 (0)8 785 40 57 or e-mail [email protected]

Sam Yildirim Sam Yildirim, integration policy expert at the Stockholm County Administration since 1999,took the initiative to SFA, Swedish for high skilled immigrants and for the employment fare, Rekryteringsbazar. He has many years of experience with integration policies and was head of the refugee reception center at municipality for approximately ten years. Sam Yildirim moved to Sweden 1980 and has a degree in social sciences. Parallel to his university he has worked as an interpreter in Turkish, Arabic, Syrian and Kurdish. Sam is an experienced mentor and public speaker and has lectured on the visions for future integration policies before the Nordic Minister Council. During his years in Istanbul, , Sam was an entrepreneur.