The Migrant Access Programme (MAP) is one of the services delivered by New Communities Partnership (NCP). NCP is an independent national organisation of migrant led groups in Ireland: set up with the mission to be an effective network, representing and empowering migrant groups and individuals at all levels, in order to influence positive change in policies that impact on their lives. For over 16 years, NCP has identified challenges that people from new communities face in Ireland, and through their services provide supports to migrants to achieve positive and better outcomes in the areas of child protection, social inclusion, youth empowerment, citizenship or access to services and employment.
It is a known fact, as confirmed by research, that migrants have high qualifications, yet either work in low paid jobs or have much higher rates of unemployment when compared to the national average. Reasons such as English language barrier, time spent in asylum process were cited for the imbalance and lack of progression. In addition, specific groups like the long-term unemployed, lone parents, black Africans, people with disabilities were also identified as facing barriers in accessing employment. It is in order to support Government efforts at addressing this unequal access, and for migrants to have equal opportunities and access to the Irish labour market, that MAP was set up in 2017 by New Communities Partnership.
The Migrant Access Programme is designed to empower and provide support to migrants who are work-ready to understand the Irish labour landscape, overcome societal, cultural and personal barriers to access quality employment in Ireland. MAP is unique in that it is delivered nationwide, involves group and one-to-one sessions of employment training, in which participants have the opportunity to learn about writing a successful CV and cover letter, finding career opportunities, presentation and effective communication skills, English for job seeking and basic IT skills. Additionally, the programme provides public information sessions for larger groups of people on employment rights and entitlements, employment supports and services, qualification recognition, and volunteer and training experience in Ireland. MAP is funded by the European Social Fund Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020 and co-funded by the Irish Government.
MAP has achieved great success by supporting unemployed and underemployed migrants to increase their employment opportunities and to gain quality jobs in their field of study in Ireland, building participants’ confidence and providing them with a toolkit for their chosen career or education path. MAP have delivered over 15 public information and 15 Employment training sessions in identified locations nationwide including Monaghan, Tralee, Carrigtwohill, Cork, Dublin, Limerick, Sligo and Galway. MAP has supported participants from over 55 countries, organized two successful Migrant Expo and Job Fairs, and reached an estimated number of 1,400 migrant job seekers, over 25 companies, Government agencies and non-governmental organisations participating. The Migrant Expo and Job Fair raises awareness of the diversity of migrant skills and provide a platform for companies and recruitment agencies to interface and meet one-to-one with highly skilled and multilingual migrant professionals from different fields.
MAP have also delivered specialized sessions to special interest groups like migrant teachers, Programme refugees, people interested in programming, people with temporary work permits waiting while their International protection application is processed, and religious bodies.
Funding remains a challenge to developing MAP’s work. There is increased demand and a waiting list at the end of 2019, however based on allocated funding only a specific number of sessions can be delivered yearly. There is also uncertainty after 2020, so the future of this in-demand service is precarious.
MAP will continue to work towards the empowerment, support and inclusion of people from migrant backgrounds and their progress towards achieving equality in economic, social, political and cultural aspects of Ireland. In 2020 MAP sessions will be delivered to more migrants in new locations. Plans are in the early stages for the 2020 Migrant Expo and Job Fair which will be hosted by TU Dublin towards the end of summer/early autumn. A special thank you to Technological University Dublin for hosting the Migrant Expo and Job Fair for the third year running.
New Communities Partnership also thanks their funders, MAP advisory committee members, companies and other stakeholders including local organisations who have collaborated with and supported MAP over the past two years in its work.
If you would like to know more about MAP, refer participants, support or collaborate with MAP please email map@newcommunities.ie