Talent Beyond Boundaries Partners with MPI to Release First-of-its-kind Report on Refugee Labour Pathways
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 30, 2024
Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) is thrilled to announce the release of a pioneering report by the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), Engaging Employers in Growing Refugee Labour Pathways. This comprehensive study highlights the unique value of refugee labour pathways for employers and offers insights into their experiences, challenges, and opportunities in this emerging field.
As a growing number of industries face acute labour shortages, complementary pathways have become essential in providing safe and legal migration opportunities for refugees and other displaced individuals to address these needs. This report marks a significant milestone as it is the first in-depth research project focusing on the private sector’s role in hiring refugees and facilitating their migration to safe countries on labour mobility pathways, shedding light on the untapped potential of leveraging refugee talent.
“Hearing from employers reveals a powerful truth: refugee labour mobility is a win-win-win solution,” said Steph Cousins, Global CEO of TBB. “It provides industries with access to a skilled talent pool and gives refugees the chance to rebuild their lives with dignity.”
The Migration Policy Institute (MPI), an independent, non-partisan, non-profit think tank dedicated to the analysis of the movement of people worldwide, collaborated with TBB on this report. MPI provides policymakers, researchers, and advocates with authoritative research and practical policy ideas to address complex migration challenges. For this study, TBB provided access to employer data and worked with MPI on interviews and focus groups conducted in 2023 with employers in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
“The report by the Migration Policy Institute highlights the transformative potential of these pathways to not only change lives but also strengthen our communities and economies.”
Key Findings:
Positive Employer Experiences: The study reveals that companies participating in refugee labour mobility pathways report high satisfaction with the quality of candidates. 93% of employers reported that they were likely to recruit displaced people again in the future.
Successful Pilot Programs: Refugee labour pathways have been successfully implemented in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. These programs have resulted in job offers for displaced individuals, benefiting nearly 2,000 people, including their family members.
Broad Employer Participation: The study highlights the diverse set of motives driving employer participation, including the desire to diversify workforces, address labour shortages, and contribute to humanitarian efforts.
Barriers to Expansion: The study highlights that there are still significant barriers that remain for employers which limit the expansion of current programs.
Talent Beyond Boundaries has been at the forefront of advocating for and implementing refugee labour pathways, partnering with governments, civil society, and private sector organizations to create opportunities for displaced individuals. TBB’s Talent Catalog, an innovative online platform, has connected thousands of refugees with potential employers, facilitating successful job matches and supporting the migration process.
For more information and to access the full report, please visit this link.
ABOUT TALENT BEYOND BOUNDARIES:
Talent Beyond Boundaries is building a world where displaced people can safely migrate for work and fully realize their skills to rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose. Founded in 2016, TBB’s mission is to help refugees who have talents that are in demand in the global market find employment opportunities in countries where their skills are sorely needed. As the first organization in the world to focus on refugee labour mobility as a complementary pathway to traditional humanitarian resettlement, TBB works directly with governments to design skilled migration pathways that are accessible to refugees.
Learn more about TBB by visiting its website: talentbeyondboundaries.org.
ABOUT REFUGEE LABOUR MOBILITY PATHWAYS:
Australia’s Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot allows employers to hire candidates through three existing visa channels. Co-designed by TBB, the pilot aims to remove barriers that displaced people face when trying to access employer-sponsored skilled migration pathways and make it easier for Australian employers to hire from this overlooked talent pool.
Canada’s Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot grants access to economic migration streams at the federal and regional levels. It is a ground-breaking initiative that welcomes displaced people with the skills that Canadian employers need through Canada's existing economic immigration streams.
United Kingdom’s Displaced Talent Mobility Pilot and Healthcare Pilot enables employers to hire and sponsor candidates through the Skilled Worker Visa route. The pilots aims to identify and address the administrative and legal barriers that refugees and other forcibly displaced job seekers face when seeking to move internationally as skilled workers.
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Alec Regino | Communications Manager
