Unique collaborative project helps to establish foreign-born jobseekers on the labour market

Publicerad: 19 June 2023

While many similar projects demand that participants first learn the language, Etableringslyftet [Establishment Boost] sees potential participants from the moment they arrive in Sweden. Shagol, a housewife in her homeland, lacked both work experience and knowledge of the Swedish language; today, she is a much-appreciated member of staff at the Snäckbacken preschool in Sollentuna.

Shagol arrives at work at 8am each morning, even though she actually starts at 9. For Shagol, the opportunity to go out to work has never been something she could take for granted. In her homeland she was a housewife and she was unemployed for almost eight years after arriving in Sweden. She encountered many job coaches over the years but it was not until she heard about the Etableringslyftet project funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) that a door to the labour market opened.

“It was physically trying to be unemployed for so many years. At one place, I had a work placement for four years but it never led to a job. I felt terrible and wondered if I was doing something wrong. When I heard about Etableringslyftet, I got in touch immediately,” says Shagol.

Today, she serves food at Snäckbacken preschool in Sollentuna. She was offered a work placement there through Etableringslyftet, and that led to employment at 75 per cent of a full-time equivalent. While her aim is to work full-time, Shagol is delighted to finally have a job.

“Now I’m someone who fulfils a function in society”

“Having this job makes me feel good. I used to be on medication but I’ve stopped that, because nothing helps as much as being at work and meeting the kids and my colleagues. Now I’m someone who fulfils a function in society. I even have an apartment in my own name and no longer need to worry about how I’m going to pay the rent.”

Working has also helped Shagol to expand her network and improve her Swedish.

“I get on really well with my colleagues and they make me feel really welcome. And it’s going really well with my Swedish; I talk a great deal to the kids at the preschool and they understand what I say,” says Shagol.

“Having this job makes me feel good. I used to be on medication but I’ve stopped that, because nothing helps as much as being at work and meeting the kids and my colleagues. Now I’m someone who fulfils a function in society. I even have an apartment in my own name and no longer need to worry about how I’m going to pay the rent.”

Working has also helped Shagol to expand her network and improve her Swedish.

“I get on really well with my colleagues and they make me feel really welcome. And it’s going really well with my Swedish; I talk a great deal to the kids at the preschool and they understand what I say,” says Shagol.

Collaboration across the north of Region Stockholm

Funded by the Swedish ESF Council, Etableringslyftet is a collaborative project involving three municipalities in the north of Region Stockholm: Sollentuna, Sigtuna and Upplands Väsby. The project continues to work closely with the Swedish Public Employment Service, which previously played an active role. Launched in 2018, the project was intended to address both the need to bring foreign-born jobseekers into the labour market and difficulties employers were facing in finding staff.

“Much of the project consists of matching participants to suitable workplaces. Most places are in kitchens and restaurants, preschools, schools or manufacturing. After taking part in the project, an impressive 75 per cent of participants have either found work or started studies that entitle them to student finance from CSN,” explains project manager Annika Nordgren.

The enormous success of the project can largely be attributed to its unique approach to language and culture.

“Many similar projects and activities only accept those who have passed Swedish for Immigrants (SFI) with at least a C or D grade. There is too much faith that knowledge of the language solves everything. We see potential participants from the moment they arrive in Sweden. To help them overcome the language barrier, participants have access to our intercultural case managers,” continues Nordgren.

Sanaz Mirzajee is one of the project’s case managers. She offers linguistic support, but her role is much broader than that. She helps participants to understand cultural differences and other things about the labour market and Swedish society that are useful to know.

“Much of my time is spent getting to know participant and identifying the reasons why she or he doesn’t have a job. Many have lost faith in themselves and they find the system demoralising. The great challenge is often getting people to realise their own potential.”

The future

The project ended in February 2023. Etableringslyftet has now been granted funding until 2025 to develop social innovations. Objectives include expediting the establishment of migrants on the labour market and reducing segregation. Using social innovations as a toolbox, the project will focus even more on women. Annika Nordgren is hopeful about the new project:

“For our part, we don’t think there is any problem that can’t be solved. Between us, we always find solutions. We work cross-sectorally with participants, government agencies, the business community and civil society. Municipalities tend to be constructed in organisational silos, which doesn’t always benefit the goals. It also makes delegation difficult. We address these problems in a new way.”