projects

Labour mobility pathways through digital skills and internships

Ongoing
A group of people pose in rows and smile at the camera
UNHCR Indonesia is testing approaches to enable refugees to improve their employability and mobility through the practical application of digital and vocational skills via internships. Original photo: UNHCR Indonesia.
Start Date
Total Project Cost
USD 113,439.000
Country
Indonesia
Project Team
UNHCR Indonesia , Caregiver Indonesia , Alterra Academy , Refuture Indonesia , and Yayasan Karya Kasih Medan

Challenge

Refugees can struggle to access traditional employment due to their legal and documentation status. Digital livelihoods offer opportunities for economic empowerment, but refugees often lack the necessary skills, experience and digital access to take advantage of these opportunities.

Solution

Establish a phased digital livelihood strategy to facilitate learning-to-earning pathways, building on findings from a recent project. This will include training in IT skills, internships with identified partners that are crucial for future employability, and connections to work opportunities in third countries.

Impact

Around 190 refugees benefit directly from the training programme, with greater access to livelihoods and labor mobility options. Peer-to-peer learning and acquisition of skills that are highly sought after in receiving countries amplify chances of success.

Project impact

190
refugees upskilled in aged care & paediatrics, storytelling, caregiving, & digital
51
participants gained practical experience through internships
30+
institutions & companies engaged to facilitate on-the-job training

Other information

Four refugee participants were able to secure online freelance jobs soon after completing the programme, demonstrating that efforts to build refugees’ vocational and digital skills – while providing support to develop their portfolios – can directly improve their employment prospects, even in restrictive environments. Having successfully established valuable connections with various organizations, and demonstrated the potential of on-the-job training, the project laid the groundwork for future opportunities. Read more about this initiative here.