New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy: Delivery Plan 2024-2026 - Year 1 Report

Case study: Supporting New Scots into Employment, Education and Training

The Scottish Local Authorities Economic Development (SLAED) People Group leads a national commitment to “improve and enhance awareness of, and access to, employability support for New Scots” (Action 3.6 of the New Scots Delivery Plan).

Local Employability Partnerships (LEPs), third sector organisations, Scottish Government, and community partners play a vital role in delivering tailored employability support across Scotland.

The overarching outcome is that New Scots have improved access to employability services, language provision, training, and sustainable work pathways.

Key Local Authority Approaches

1. Language & Communication Support

• Aberdeenshire: Refugee Key Workers dedicated to asylum seekers; intensive 12-week ESOL delivered virtually; multilingual leaflets placed in asylum hotels; 125 individuals supported.
• Dundee: ESOL embedded within employability, including a Get Ready for Work course and numeracy qualifications via the Multiply programme.
• South Ayrshire: First council to train and employ community interpreters supporting NHS, housing, education, and DWP appointments. ESOL linked to finance, driving theory, citizenship, and employability.

2. Digital Inclusion & Skills Development

• Argyll & Bute: Basic IT course for Afghan fathers, laptops provided to tackle digital exclusion. Skills included email setup, job search tools, and confidence in online applications.
• East Ayrshire: ESOL Job Clubs combined language learning, Universal Credit support, and employability coaching – tailored responses for groups such as Arabic-speaking women with interests in the beauty industry.

3. Tailored Employability Pathways

• Glasgow (GEMS Project): Consortium support model offering key worker support across Roma, migrant, and minority ethnic communities. Achievements include employment, training, volunteering, and higher education outcomes.
• Renfrewshire: Commissioned ESOL for Employment and English for Work, alongside a Parents’ Drop-in Café with third sector partner REEM. Two New Scots advisers recruited into the council employability team.
• Edinburgh: Strategic focus on ethnic minorities with over a third of NOLB/PES participants from these groups. Commissioned specialist providers (e.g., Saheliya, The Welcoming, Project Esperanza). Introduced employer-focused interventions including toolkits, cultural awareness workshops, and recruitment events.

4. Integration & Community Connections

• East Renfrewshire: Built wraparound support for refugees including unaccompanied minors, linking employability with money management and college transition.
• West Dunbartonshire: Established local drop-ins, integrating ESOL and employability via Working4U.
• West Lothian: Outreach and one-to-one sessions, workshops tailored to Ukrainian experience, and collaborations with arts and family support organisations.
• Falkirk: Use of translated materials and community events such as a Refugee Celebration Evening to connect New Scots with services.

National Partnerships

At a national level, SLAED People Group maintains close partnership with the Scottish Refugee Council and participates in the Education & Employment Opportunities for Refugees & Asylum Seekers (EERAS) working group. Shared priorities include:

• Clarifying status and entitlement issues
• Embedding ESOL within employability pathways
• Strengthening multi-agency collaboration

Outcomes & Impact

• Improved Access: multiple councils reported increased engagement of refugees and asylum seekers with employability pipelines.
• Skills Gained: from basic IT and English language to sector-specific training (construction, beauty, financial literacy).
• Integration: initiatives fostered social connections, peer support, and confidence.
• System Change: recruitment of New Scots into frontline adviser roles (Renfrewshire) and employer-facing toolkits (Edinburgh) show structural embedding of inclusive practice.

Lessons & Next Steps

1.Language remains the key challenge – ESOL must be fully integrated with employability.

2.Digital access is essential – laptops, IT training and online navigation skills transform employability readiness.

3.Employer engagement is vital – toolkits, cultural awareness and tailored recruitment approaches build fairer work opportunities.

4.Peer and community models work – drop-ins, celebration events, and peer support encourage trust and participation.

Conclusion

Across Scotland, Local Authorities are delivering innovative, flexible, and person-centred employability programmes for New Scots. While approaches vary locally, all share the same goal: ensuring refugees, people seeking asylum, and migrants are welcomed, supported, and empowered to access education, training, and meaningful employment, strengthening both communities and the Scottish economy.