17 November 2023. WBI congratulates the 6th cohort of our Employment Support for Migrants for successfully completing the course. To celebrate this achievement, and to highlight the overall success of the programme tailored in partnership with Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) and City of Portsmouth College, we are releasing a video featuring two of our former students, Abdalazeez Alsaleh and Karla Martinez, alongside WEA Tutor, Bahar Mouland.
The video was made using behind-the-scenes material from WEA’s visit to our learning hub in the summer, to speak to participants and tutors in preparation for WEA’s national video, released earlier this autumn to celebrate the organisation’s 120th birthday.
WEA’s Learner video spotlights the amazing hub of adult learning that WEA has continuously cultivated for over 120 years. We are so pleased to add to such an amazing and multi-skilled community through our joint Employment Support for Migrants programme.
In light of the potentially daunting aspects of studying as an adult, especially when new to this country, we want to introduce the course in an open and friendly manner by sharing the experience of two former students and speaking directly with one of our tutors.
We hope you enjoy watching the video as much as we enjoyed making it!
The Employment Support for Migrants was launched in February 2022 as WBI’s first key community service project. Funded by us as our community service, the programme has run for 6 terms consecutively, and still counting!
[Photo from our first cohort in February 2022]
The program helps migrant job-seekers (refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants) professionally integrate into the local economy in and around Portsmouth through employment or volunteering.
It also stresses the importance of transferring migrant skills to the local job market, as many are talented and professional practitioners in their countries of origin.
[5th Cohort with WEA Tutor, Bahar Mouland]
“Mostly we are focusing on personal and professional skills – communication skills, body language, how to present yourself clearly and effectively, how to answer interview questions.” – Bahar Mouland
The programme offers targeted workshops in CV and cover letter writing, job search, interviewing strategies and introduction to UK work culture, as well as important soft skills on confidence building, time management and positive mindset.
“It made a difference to me because I had an interview a week ago. I used the strategies I learned from the course, then I passed the interview and got the job.” – Abdalazeez Alsaleh.
[Video screenshot featuring Abdalazeez Alsaleh and WEA interviewer]
Latest report figures show that around 60 percent of participants during the 2022-23 period found either employment or volunteering roles, achieving a sense of purpose and belonging through active involvement in Portsmouth’s public life.
It was such a reward to hear the students’ feedback emphasise not only the practical, but also personal benefits gained thanks to attending the program.
“Now I feel more confident, more happy because I know new vocabulary for work.” – Karla Martinez
[Video screenshot featuring Karla Martinez]
“It taught me how to become more confident and how to be positive in every situation” – Abdalazeez Alsaleh
To further assist our participants in their career development beyond the course, we are hosting WBI’s first Employment Support for Migrants Conference next week to help more migrant job-seekers connect to potential employers! Stay tuned for more!
[Photo of our 6th Employment Support for Migrants cohort]
