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Denmark
The Education and Training Centre for Immigrants

  Introduction:

On January 1, 1999 the first Integration Act was introduced. According to this Act all the new immigrants -actually Denmark only receives certain relatives to immigrants and refugees already living in Denmark - that are not self-sustained have a right to an introduction benefit, and a duty of attendance the three- year introduction programme which the Act prescribes and which consists of three basic elements: Danish language training, Employability enhancement programmes and a Course in civic and social studies.
The municipalities in Denmark have been assigned the responsibility of implementing the Integration Act.

  Description of the problem:

In Copenhagen the unemployment rate among ethnic minorities from third world countries who receive social security benefits is remarkably high compared to that of the Danish population. Figures show that 5-6 per cent of the Danish population receive social security benefit whereas for ethnic minorities the figure is 27 per cent. 38 per cent of all recipients of social security benefits are residents with an ethnic minority background. Generally the ethnic residents lack the qualifications needed on the labour market in Copenhagen. The figures show that lack of language qualifications and work experience makes it difficult for ethnic minorities to enter the labour market and if they do it is most often as unskilled workers. The focal point of integration policy in Denmark is that ethnic minorities become self-supporting as quickly as possible. In order to get a job and become self-supporting it is necessary to upgrade the skills and qualifications of the ethnic minorities. The areas in which further upgrading of skills is needed are: Danish language, social and personal qualifications, knowledge of the Danish labour market and vocational skills.

  Description of the solution:

The Copenhagen City is promoting the integration into the labour market of the inmigrants with a ethnic base through Danish language training, the vocational activities and practical labour market experience in a combination.

- Three authorities are united in one institution: the authority of Danish language training, the authority responsible for vocational employability enhancement programmes and the social authority (responsible for payment of benefits)
- Language training supports the vocational activities and is based on practical use in a specific vocational context. Furthermore, it ensures the acquisition and development of basic language skills as prescribed by the law.
- The vocational activities are tailored to the needs of the labour market and to the language qualifications of the individual. Close collaboration with external training and educational institutions.

The individual plan of action is the focal point of our work. Therefore, the courses are also individually built up. The following is an example of how a course is typically organized:

8 weeks of language training, vocational training and labour market studies
4 weeks of practical work experience in a private/public company
jobhunting as an ongoing process

Improvement of personal and social qualifications in relation to the labour market is also an ongoing process that takes place both in the companies and at the training centre.

  Impact and results:

The total annual budget is 10.4 million euro. Hereof 7.7 million euro is funded by the national government and 2.7 million euro by the municipality.

There are 140 employees at the centre (teachers, counsellors and administrative staff)

There are 915 participants in the programme on an annual basis and the total expenditure per hour per participant is about 11,5 euro. The period of time that the participants are in the project is individually planned and varies from a couple of months to several years depending on how far away the participant is from the labour market

All foreigners who are not able to support themselves have a right of a introduction benefit that is equal to the social security benefit.

 

 

  Practical considerations :

The total annual budget is 10.4 million euro. Hereof 7.7 million euro is funded by the national government and 2.7 million euro by the municipality.

There are 140 employees at the centre (teachers, counsellors and administrative staff).

There are 915 participants in the programme on an annual basis and the total expenditure per hour per participant is about 11,5 euro. The period of time that the participants are in the project is individually planned and varies from a couple of months to several years depending on how far away the participant is from the labour market.

All foreigners who are not able to support themselves have a right of a introduction benefit that is equal to the social security benefit.

IF YOU WISH ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT TO:

The City of Copenhague.
Family and Labour Market Administration.
Undervisningscentret for Indvandrere.
Mr. Henning Aglund.
Henning.aglund@faf.kk.dk
Ms Anette Molsgaard Larsen
anette.molsgaard@faf.kk.dk


Hejrevej 10.
Dk-2400 Copenhagen (Denmark)
Tel. (+45) 8256 5200
Fax. (+45) 8256 5210
www.copenhagencity.dk