The project examines how to improve the labor market integration of highly educated immigrants from third countries in the Nordic countries, with a focus on Sweden. Although this group is more likely to find employment compared to low-educated immigrants, they face challenges such as language barriers, lack of professional networks, and difficulties in validating foreign qualifications.
These obstacles can lead to underemployment, wage stagnation, and loss of human capital, affecting immigrants’ career opportunities, inefficiencies on the Nordic labor markets, waste of valuable human capital, and increased social inequality.
The project supports local and regional actors in improving strategies to help highly educated immigrants obtain jobs that match their qualifications. It will map their labor market situation, identify barriers and enablers, compare successful integration initiatives, and develop recommendations.
The expected outcomes and impact of the project:
1. Evidence-based policy development: The project provides local and regional authorities with data and research findings from focus groups, interviews, and quantitative analyses of labor market trends. This evidence can support public actors in developing effective integration programs.
2. Develop recommendations: Based on our results, we will create practical recommendations on how to improve the labor market integration of highly educated immigrants. These recommendations will help authorities implement measures ensuring that immigrants find employment matching their qualifications.
3. Knowledge exchange and networking: Through webinars, workshops, and seminars, the project will disseminate research results and enable local and regional authorities to network, exchange strategies, and learn from one another.
