Integration and inclusion of migrants have been declared as a priority in many European countries. A recent study focusing on migrants’ integration in the Nordic countries concluded that they all face serious challenges in integrating immigrants into their labour markets (Calmfors & Sánchez Gassen, 2019). This symposium brings together research that examines integration and inclusion of migrants in education and work. Researchers from three European countries, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland, explore challenges and possibilities of successful inclusion of migrants in their studies.

The European Commission published an action plan 2021-2027 on integration and inclusion. Main actions include, for example, inclusive education and trainingfrom early childhood to higher education, focus on recognitionof qualifications and continuing language learning. The action plan also promotes employment opportunitiesand skills recognition, especially in relation to women’s opportunities as well as promotes labour market integration (European Commission, 2020).

Various kinds of educational programs are available for migrants. However, their position at different levels in the labour market has become a subject of heated academic and political debate. The debate generally revolves around factors that affect the macro level structure such as employment of migrants and their descendants, economic costs and the benefits of migration and integration. The position of underrepresented groups in the labour market is typically explained as a consequence of either discrimination or lack of relevant social capital, language skills, job search strategies and job skills, just to name a few. Generally, studies in this area tend to focus on obstacles that migrants face in the labour market. However, we also need to focus on ‘successful migrants’, who have succeeded in entering education and their vocations and thus integrated in the labour market of their new host countries. In other words, what they have done differently in accessing their vocation, where many with similar backgrounds have failed. What kinds of educational pathways have been open to them? We need to get more knowledge about mechanisms that can contribute to a sustainable integration of skilled migrants via education and work.

The aim of this symposium is to examine these questions by focusing on social, linguistic, cultural, educational and labour market challenges and possibilities across these three different contexts. We start by examining historical changes in VET and migration in Sweden. Then we go on with focusing on how to get a professional driver’s license in Norway. The Swiss study explores a specific program, a pre-apprenticeship for integration, for migrants, and the last presentation examines facilitating factors to access one’s vocational career in Sweden.  

Calmfors, L., & Sánchez Gassen, N. (2019). Integrating Immigrants into the Nordic Labour Markets (eds.). Nordic Council of Ministries. European Comission. (2020). Communication from the commission to the European parliament, the council, the European economic and social committee and the committee of the regions: Action plan on Integration and Inclusion 2021-2027