107 asylum seekers were presented with a certificate on their successful completion of training in several skills aimed for improving their employability opportunities and integration in society. This training programme is an Equal project for the Integration of Asylum Seekers into Maltese Society coordinated by Agenzija Appogg and was designed to render intense training to asylum seekers in English Language, Life Skills and Job Interview Skills.
The project partners Appogg and Dar Il-Qawsalla and Dar is-Sliem along with training providers, ETC, Red Cross and GWU, extended their service to cater for more asylum seekers than originally planned by the project provision to meet the requested demand.
The commitment of asylum seekers all throughout the training provision was second to none. Training was delivered through nine hours of lectures per week, delivered every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays in a training centre in Birkirkara during the last seven months. Trainees were continually kept motivated by the professional interventions of a vocational, guidance and counselling team of the project.
As with all European Funded Projects, the European Commission monitors the progress and deliverables. This Equal project has been chosen as a “Good Practice” (a role-model project) and Petra Van Nierop, a delegate from GHK Consultancy in Brussels, was in Malta this week and held various interviews with all stakeholders to report on the success of the local project. Ms Van Nierop also met with all graduates.
Addressing the course participants and partners, Joe Gerada, Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services said that these certificates are important keys to a better future for asylum seekers. Imparting knowledge about our traditions, culture and services will enable the asylum seeker to integrate in society and participate in the life of the country. This participation can only serve the country well as it brings down barriers of wrong perceptions and enhances peaceful and rewarding co-existence. Furthermore, integration enables the asylum seeker to demonstrate his or her native culture and therefore increase our understanding and appreciation of other cultures.
Mr Gerada also emphasised the importance of vocational training and the upgrading of competencies and said that these should rank high on the national policy regarding the management of migration.
Imparting marketable skills to asylum seekers gives them dignity and esteem and therefore hope for the future. Competence makes asylum seekers less dependent on the state for support and enhances their chances to move to other countries where they can find more opportunities. “Therefore being proactive works for all of us. It is a win-win situation.” The Appogg social work services understood and adopted this strategy and the fact that this programme was overwhelmingly subscribed by asylum seekers gives credence to this approach.
He added that in spite of the fact that this particular social work service of Appogg is not so vast, the staff proved to be very effective and managed to focus on what is important and in this respect have been critical in providing a better quality of life to asylum seekers, especially children.
Agenzija Appogg, which also delivers services to asylum seekers through an open centre, is the local partner within this EU-funded Equal project.
The agency covers both the basic needs and the social needs of these individuals in order to help them meet their needs with dignity and respect.