The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, have jointly launched a new “train-to-hire” programme targeting displaced individuals in the Asia-Pacific region. Funded by the Government of Australia for an initial 22-month period, the initiative aims to equip refugees with relevant skills and connect them to international employment opportunities. This programme addresses labour market shortages while promoting refugee self-reliance and reflects Australia’s commitment made at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum to support refugee employment pathways.
This initiative promotes enhanced inter-agency collaboration and aims to demonstrate that inclusive and safe migration benefits not only displaced individuals but also host communities and States. By expanding access to orderly and regular migration routes—also known as “refugee labour mobility” or “complementary labour pathways”—the programme offers a viable alternative to irregular and unsafe migration practices, thus contributing to greater global stability.
While many skilled refugees are willing and able to take up jobs abroad, actual employment placements remain limited. Between 2019 and 2023, only about 183,000 skilled refugees from eight nationalities were granted job visas in OECD countries, according to data from UNHCR and the OECD. This underscores the significant gap between refugee potential and current migration and employment systems.
To address this gap, the programme will deliver specialized training to a selected group of refugees, focusing on enhancing existing skills and overcoming hiring barriers. The training will be tailored to meet labour demands in sectors experiencing medium- to long-term shortages, thereby aligning refugee capabilities with market needs in Australia and potentially in other countries. The broader vision is to develop a scalable and sustainable model for refugee labour mobility across the Asia-Pacific region and eventually on a global scale.
This initiative is part of a growing strategic partnership between UNHCR and IOM, recognizing the urgent need for coordinated solutions amid record global displacement. With over 42 million refugees worldwide, many of whom have marketable skills, the programme seeks to unlock their potential and enable safer, more dignified futures through access to gainful international employment.
