Welcome Work (2024-2025) Erasmus+ programme

Designation: Welcome Work: Inclusion within the Construction Sector. 

Project: Belonging to the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, call 2022, of the Key Action 2 of the Cooperation partnerships in Vocational Education and Training.

Identification of the project: KA220-VET-302236D2

Duration: 21 months, from April 2024 to December 2025 

Budget: 250,000 € 

Coordinator: Career Plus (Poland). 

Partners: Fundación Laboral de la Construcción (Spain), Momentum Marketing Services Limited (Ireland), First Round Life Skills (Ireland), Halage (France) and European E-learning Institute (Denmark). 

Website: Coming soon.

The Ukrainian-Russian conflict has led to the European Union hosting nearly 6 million Ukrainian refugees. This significant influx of displaced persons poses a significant challenge for host countries as well as educational and employment systems. 

On the other hand, the construction industry faces a serious labor shortage. According to estimates from the Just Transition Center of the International Trade Union Confederation and the European Federation of Building and Woodworkers (2023), over 1.5 million additional workers will be needed between 2023 and 2030, in addition to 1.2 million to replace retiring workers in the coming years. Consequently, there is a significant opportunity to support the refugee population in finding employment in this sector. 

The 'Welcome Work' project aims to facilitate immediate access for refugees to training and, at the same time, to train future construction professionals to create inclusive work environments. 

Results 

The project has a comprehensive approach to improve job opportunities for refugees in the construction industry, addressing several key aspects: 

• Training refugees by providing them with the skills and knowledge necessary to integrate into the sector. To achieve this, an APP will be developed that includes training offers and employment itineraries for all levels of training. 
• Training Vocational Training Centers with the knowledge and skills necessary to train and guide refugees for their employment in the construction sector through the development of a digital Starter Kit. 
• Guidance to employers on how to adapt their labor practices to accommodate refugees, including legal and regulatory information, practical strategies, and case studies. All of these will be integrated into a Good practice compendium. 
• Establishment of partnerships with various stakeholders, such as refugee support groups and construction sector associations, to ensure effective coordination and collaboration in achieving the project's objectives and its use after its completion. 

The ultimate goal is to improve the employability of refugees in construction, which will contribute to improving economic and social outcomes for both refugees and host communities. 

The Welcome Work project is co-funded by the European Union's Erasmus+ programme. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.