Upskilling disadvantaged, immigrant, migrant and refugee women with vital skills required for integration and to gain employment

<< Background >>The consortium formed and developed the Skills4Women project as they saw a need for such a project within their countries. The project upskills and provides those from the target groups with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need in order to successfully gain employment in the countries they currently reside.As the partners work with, and have connections with those from the target groups, they knew the project would be valuable to them. So they ensured the project had an inclusive approach with the aim of bringing together the women from the target groups.The project addresses the needs of women, especially those from immigrant, migrant, refugee and disadvantaged backgrounds, who often lack the skills they need to gain employment. The project addresses the needs by focusing on the key areas these women need in order to gain employment in the countries they currently reside. The project focused on four key areas which are vital for the integration: language learning, work and employment, culture, and finance.<< Objectives >>By carrying out the Skills4Women project, the partners aimed to provide unemployed women, especially those from migrant, immigrant, and refugee backgrounds, with the skills, confidence, and knowledge they need to gain employment and integrate into their new local communities.Implementing the project gave the partners the opportunity to provide the target groups with not only the skills and confidence they need, but to also help integrate them into their new communities, build connections, which in turn will also result in them contributing to, and benefiting the economy.Providing the information created during the project allows the women to build networks, and encourages them to adapt and feel confident in their new culture. It fostered inclusion, diversity, social inclusion, development of skills and provided the women with the skills they need to overcome barriers they may face in their new or host countries.When implementing the project, partners ensured the project was designed with an inclusive approach, aiming to bring together women from such backgrounds, including those based in remote and rural areas.<< Implementation >>During the project, partners carried out a number of activities including:-9 formal online meetings that were held between partners. These online meetings were documented with agendas, minutes, screenshots etc. More informal meetings were held between partners when the need arose.-2 TPMs were held throughout the project – the first in Ibi, in Spain, during month 2, and the second in Quarteira, in Portugal, during month 11.-An LTTA was held during month 11, also in Quarteira, in Portugal. This coincided with the TPM to reduce travel and to reduce the partners carbon footprint.-Research was conducted at the beginning of the project, and those from both the direct and indirect target groups were invited to take part.-Content was created by all partners – this was then hosted on the Web Platform created by the partners.-The content was pilot tested by the target groups before being finalised and uploaded to the platform.-Once the Web Platform was complete, this was then pilot tested internally, before being pilot tested externally with the target groups. Amendments were then made to ensure the platform met the needs and requirements of the target groups.-Dissemination activities – a variety of dissemination activites.<< Results >>Concrete outputs that were created include building the content and educational/upskilling materials. The material was broken down into four modules including language learning, work and employment, culture, and finance.A wide range of content was created, including topics such as:Language learning- Everyday expressions- Communication skills- Organisations offering language certificationWork and employment- Obstacles faced when trying to gain employment in a new country- How to write a successful CV- Job and office etiquette in a new country- Interview tips and techniques- How to overcome the gender barrier in the workplace- Confidence buildingCulture- Discover the culture of each country (Portugal, Spain, Ireland and Greece)- How to feel included- Building friendships in your new home- Finding help and support near you- Tips for accessing healthcareFinance- Budgeting- Banking systems- Currency exchange- Employment contracts- Basic terms in taxation- Social benefitsThe modules were designed to specifically meet the needs of the target groups. The content was then uploaded to the e-learning section of the Web Platform, that is the result of the project.