In Pursuit of Integration - Labor Market Integration of Young Adult Refugees in Germany

Study purpose: Migration to and integration in Germany is one of the biggest challenges of contemporary German society. The social work sector in Germany working with young refugees has become an important field of the profession, especially since 2015, when close to one million people came to Germany to seek asylum. Labor market integration is viewed as a key task toward the process of adjustment of young adult refugees (YARs). Toward this end, a collaborative multi-sector project was initiated in a mid-size German city, aiming to prepare YARs, ages 18-25, to enter a vocational apprenticeship as a gateway into the labor market. An accompanying independent evaluation aimed to (1) identify personal and structural factors that affect project success, (2) triangulate perspectives of project participant groups, and (3) use qualitative data as a basis for the development of a quantitative evaluation tool.

Methods: The mixed-method evaluation used semi-structured and key informant interviews as well as focus groups. Three cohorts of YARs (n=3x10) were recruited through the program and interviewed at several timepoints (pre, post, follow-up) over an 18-month period (n=25 YARs, n=48 interviews). Efforts are made to interview participants that dropped out of the program. Key informant interviews are conducted with participating social workers and specialty personnel (n=3+). Company instructors (n=9+) were individually interviewed at one time. Semi-structured interviews are audio-recorded and last about 60-100 minutes. Data are transcribed and analyzed concurrently to the data collection process through thematic descriptive analysis and involve within-individual (2-3 timepoints), between-cohorts and across-participant groups analyses.

Results: Preliminary analysis indicates challenges in multiple areas and high need of support, not only with work-related issues, but also the personal situation of YARs. The important role of supportive and mentoring relationships with social workers and company instructors repeatedly emerged. Despite considerable challenges the majority of YARs completed the program and entered apprenticeships. Converging aims and recognition of the importance of entering an apprenticeship program contributed to program success. A lack of fit between YARs' interests and abilities and the apprenticeship was a primary reason for drop out and the social workers’ role in recruiting and matching YARs is explored. Further challenges to program completion are programmatic structures which are experienced as too rigid by some. Language and communication are primary concerns as reported by all three groups. This involves expectations for language competency and specialized vocabulary as well as misunderstandings due to differing cultural norms around time, gender relations, etc. Social integration within and outside of the project was raised as an important issue that seems to influence how YARs perceive the project.

Implications: Findings point to the central role of social workers in brokering services and providing support to YARs and instructors. Also, instructors are key to ‘leveling the pathway’ into the labor market and the challenges they encounter in their work with YARs involve tasks that at times go beyond their ‘normal’ job description. Process evaluations, such as this, are important in informing program development, thereby removing structural barriers to integration and improving outcomes for YARs.