Employment
Support for Syrians looking to resume careers, start-up businesses or enter the workforce for the first time.
Most Syrians in the UK come from well-educated or professional backgrounds, some of them used to be teachers, builders, professionals or business owners.
They came to a completely new ‘professional culture’ with so many differences in the system and so many obstacles standing between them and access work. They face multiple barriers including language, a lack of recognition of their educational or professional qualifications and the radically different professional culture of the UK.
Syrian Futures work with a variety of local and national partners to support Syrians as they navigate their way through an unfamiliar job market and into employment.
We offer professional internships and volunteering opportunites, all with specialist support tailored to the needs of Syrians. In addition, we offer free English language classes and work closely with the Department for Work and Pensions in order to remove obstacles to employment experienced by so many highly qualified Syrians who are building new lives in a very new environment.
Employment Projects and Initiatives
Professional Internships
Syrian Futures organises professional internships for Syrians looking to gain experience in a variety of organisations and roles. Although in its early stages, our internship project has already witnessed some remarkable success stories, highlighting the effectiveness of internships both for Syrians and the organisations they work with.
If you feel your organisation would benefit from joining the scheme, please do not hesitate to contact us: syrian.futures@ed.ac.uk.
Volunteering Opportunities
Syrian Futures works with a number of local charities and thrid sector organisations to arrange stimulating volunteering opportunities for Syrians of all ages. Through volunteering, Syrians can improve their language and commuications, master new skills and add value to their CVs.
If your organisation has any volunteering opportunities you feels might be of suitable for this programme, please do not hesitate to contact us: syrian.futures@ed.ac.uk.
Free English Classes
Language is often the primary obstacle for Syrians looking to enter the UK job market. As a response to this, Syrian Futures offers regular spoken and written English classes led by our extraordinary volunteer Colin Hodgetts MBE. Colin delivers four free classes a week: 1 beginner, 2 intermediate and 1 advanced.
Colin has a long history of supporting refugees in Edinburgh. He was responsible for Save the Children's Vietnamese resettlement programme which included setting up a residential school to enable youngsters to access higher education. He founded, and was Chief Executive of, and later Chair of, Refugee Action, for which he was awarded the MBE.
In light of the Covid-19 crisis, Syrian Futures has moved much of its English teaching online. Although this presents many challenges, it does mean that the classes are avaialble to Syrians across the UK.
Department for Work and Pensions
syrian Futures works closely with the Department for Work and Pensions to help and support Syrian refugees who are actively looking for work. Initiatives include:
- Workshops for DWP managers and work coaches helping them to understand Syrian Culture and be more inclusiv in their practice.
- Syrian Futures supports the DWP in the delivery of it 'Diverse Job Fairs' by providing Arabic interpreters to help Syrian attendees get the most out of the opporunities
- One-to-one ad-hoc support for DWP workers and their Syrian clients.