IOM MIGRANT TRAINING PROGRAMME SURVEY 1998 – 2009 · IOM Nepal: 122 refugees were trained in 2007 and 5,112 in 2008. It is expected that 14,000 refugees will be trained in 2009

IOM MIGRANT TRAINING PROGRAMME SURVEY 1998 – 2009

Funded by CIC Compiled by IOM’s Labour & Facilitated Migration (LFM) Unit

Survey of IOM Migrant Training Programmes for CIC

Page 2 of 68

Programme Title: Canadian Orientation Abroad (COA) Programme Area : Cultural Orientation/Pre-departure Orientation/All categories of Migrants Description of Project The Canadian Orientation Abroad (COA) is a Govt. of Canada-funded pre-departure orientation training

project.

Project Sponsor COA is funded and supported by the Canadian Government’s Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) department, and falls under the Direction of Integration and Refugee Program Delivery, Operational Management and Coordination Branch.

Purpose of Project • To provide immigrants (all categories) and labour migrants with accurate information about life in Canada;

• To help immigrants develop realistic expectations about settlement in Canada;

• To develop immigrants’ awareness and skills necessary for successful adaptation to their new society, especially during their first 6 months of stay in Canada; and

• To address migrants’ concerns and questions.

Target Audience Refugees, skilled workers, family class, and caregivers bound for Canada (from the Philippines).

Service(s)/product(s) Offered to Migrants

Pre-departure group seminars. COA Handbook was developed and is provided to each participant.

How Programme is delivered (number of countries offered)

COA is offered in 15 permanent orientation sites/countries. Last project year 2007-2008, COA was offered in 24 countries and 30 different locations. Such details are not yet available for project year 2008-2009. COA sessions are conducted in 15 permanent COA orientation sites, which include: Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Sri Lanka, and Syria. COA, since January 2009, has a COA liaison and training material developer person based in IOM Ottawa. COA also conducts mobile training units. In project year 2007-2008, 18 mobile training missions were held. This information is not yet available for 2008-2009.


Page 3 of 68

Number of Migrants Served, Broken down by Year and Client Target where possible

Inception of COA: November 2008. Up to end of January 2009, approximately 110,000 participants have attended a COA orientation prior to their departure to Canada. In project period 2007-2008 (data not yet available for 2008-2009), 33% were Skilled Workers; 30% were Refugees; 20% were Live-in Caregivers to Canada from the Philippines; and 17% were Family Class immigrants. 1998-1999: 773 1999-2000: 8,222 2000-2001: 4,949 2001-2002: 7,432 2002-2003: 9,582 2003-2004: 12,681 2004-2005: 11,906 2005-2006: 13,116 2006-2007: 13,831 2007-2008: 14,629 2008-2009: 11,025 (10 months only)

Length of Session/Activities Sessions of 1, 3 and 5 days offered. 3- and 5-day sessions usually target refugees and higher-need groups. For instance, 3-day sessions for urban-based refugees and 5-day sessions for camp-based refugees.

Cost of Project, broken down by year and by significant expenditures (e.g. start-up costs; program delivery, development of materials, etc.)

The budget for COA for 2008-2009 is an estimated $2 million Canadian dollars. Prior to 2008, COA budgets were prepared annually and never exceeded 1 M CAD. Budgets serve all training sites globally as well as the new position in Canada. Budgets are prepared in coordination between IOM accountants in each site and coordinated through IOM-Manila Accounting Services and COA management. Budgets are made based on targets from CIC Ottawa, in conjunction with estimations made through COA numbers trained in previous years as attendance to COA is optional for everyone.

How personnel are recruited (e.g. locally engaged staff, host country nationals, etc.)

Global management of the project is done from Amman, Jordan. Project manager has dual mandate: global management and Jordan site coordination and training. Trainers are locally engaged. A COA liaison and training material developer was recently hired in Ottawa (JAN 2009), and also a Project Officer to assist the Global Manager in Amman, Jordan.


Page 4 of 68

Results/outcomes for participants (e.g. client satisfaction)

IOM delivers a satisfaction survey to each participant at the end of a given session. Feedback is received via a second and nearly identical COA questionnaire distributed abroad, filled out and mailed three months after arrival in Canada. Feedback is also received via emails received from former COA participants now in Canada. CIC is in the final development stage of a new evaluation questionnaire. Questionnaire will be translated into all languages and envelopes will be pre-stamped.

Duration of Project IOM has been conducting COA continuously since 1998. Currently, COA has a two-year mandate up

to March 2010.

Where possible and applicable, reason(s) for halting the project

N/A

Challenges encountered (if applicable)

COA works directly with Canadian Embassies for the referral process of non-refugee participants. COA works jointly with IOM and CIC for the referral of refugees to COA. For some groups (particularly refugees prior to departure), the window to deliver service can be narrow. These challenges are usually discussed with CIC missions abroad and solutions are always found.

Other information

CIC has sponsored the visit of 14 COA facilitators to Canada over the past two years, which included visits to Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal as well as visits to Canadian SPOs (Service Providing Organizations) and service centres. Facilitators met with SPO staff and gave presentations on the overseas training conducted by IOM. These trips provided COA trainers with the rare opportunity to escort refugees to Canada and follow them through many post-arrival steps, including reception formalities, initial accommodation, and services. It is also a rare opportunity for SPO providers to hear about what is done abroad.


Page 5 of 68

Programme Title: United States Cultural Orientation (USCO) Programme Area : Cultural Orientation/Pre-departure Orientation/Refugees Description of Project

The USCO is a US-funded pre-departure orientation training programme for refugees.

Project Sponsor Funded by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM). The IOM USCO Programme is supported by the Center for Applied Linguistics’ (CAL) Cultural Orientation Resource Center.

Purpose of Project • To provide refugees resettling to the US with accurate information about life in the US; • To help immigrants develop realistic expectations about settlement in the US;

• To develop refugees’ awareness and skills necessary for successful adaptation to their new society, especially during their first 6 months in the US, and

• To address refugees’ concerns and questions

Target Audience

Refugees accepted for resettlement to the United States


Pre-departure CO sessions range from a half day to six days in length.

How Programme is Delivered (number of countries offered)

USCO started in 1990.Since then, IOM has carried out USCO in the following locations: IOM Nairobi: Offered CO in over 30 countries in 56 refugee processing sites across East, West and Southern Africa. Refugee populations included: Somalis, Sudanese, Congolese, Liberian, Sierra Leonean, Ethiopian and Burundian refugees. Training took place in a variety of locales, including urban and camp settings; purpose-built IOM premises, and rented training space, according to need. IOM Bangkok: Training has taken place in 9 refugee camps throughout Thailand as well as in urban settings in Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia. Learning materials were also provided to refugees departing from India and Bangladesh. In camps, training takes place in purpose-built classrooms. In Malaysia, space has been rented and developed into a training centre. In other sites, space is rented


Page 6 of 68

How Programme is Delivered (number of countries offered) Continued

on an ad-hoc basis, often in hotels. IOM Middle East (Cairo, Amman and Damascus): The caseload consists primarily of Iraqi refugees, although Cairo and Amman have processed Sudanese and Somali refugees as well. All training takes place in urban settings. IOM Nepal: CO training started in 2007 for Nepalese refugees from Bhutan. Training takes place in 7 camps in Eastern Nepal. IOM Moscow: conducts USCO classes for US-bound refugees aged 15 and above in the following locations: Former Soviet Union (except Moscow) which includes: Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Uzbekistan, Romania; and Malta. Refugee populations include: Afghans, Angolans, Eritreans, Ethiopians, Iranians, Iraqi, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Moldovans, Somalis, Uigurs, Uzbeks and others.


Africa: Between 1994 and 2007, over 96,000 refugees attended cultural orientation sessions offered by IOM throughout Africa. In 2007 a total of 9,092 refugees were trained in 12 locations in 7 countries in East Africa. Middle East (Cairo, Amman and Damascus): 843 refugees were trained in 2007 and 7,530 in 2008. Over 8,000 are expected to receive training in 2009. IOM Bangkok: Between 2004 and 2008 an estimated 36,000 US-bound refugees have attended a course, with 14,170 having attended in 2008. IOM Nepal: 122 refugees were trained in 2007 and 5,112 in 2008. It is expected that 14,000 refugees will be trained in 2009.

IOM Moscow: Between 2004 and 2008 over 12,000 refugees received training. Training takes place across Central Asia and Europe.


Page 7 of 68

Length of Session/Activities

Sessions vary between 1 and 6 days; most sessions, however, are either 3 or 5 days in length. Session length varies due to costs involved, sophistication of the clients, logistics, and time available until the departure of the refugees. In most sites, participants receive a Welcome to America guide provided by CAL as well as a student handbook developed by IOM. In addition of training for adults, in some sites training is offered to children, youth, families and singles, and even to very young children in the day care centres. Training methodology is active and participatory with self-study activities being developed in Thailand so that refugees can study on their own outside of classroom hours.


Per capita costs range from $88 to $150 per person, depending on the caseload and the location where CO is held. Example: Thailand / Malaysia: costs range from $US 1.2 million in 2005 to $US1.9 million in 2009. This includes building of classrooms in 5 camps, offices in 3 locations in Thailand, purchase of vehicles for transportation to camps, refurbishment of building in Malaysia, transfer of staff and other considerable start up costs. There are a total of some 30+ trainers and admin staff.


Senior Migrant Training Officer (SMTO): Based in Manila, this staff member is tasked to oversee IOM’s migrant training programs, including all cultural orientation and pre-departure training for resettlement caseloads. In addition, the SMTO oversees training and curriculum development for migrant training programmes for immigrants, temporary migrants, labour migrants and immigrants. The SMTO serves as the focal point for USCO within the organization and as a liaison with the donor, i.e. the US Department of State (PRM). This position is not funded by individual migrant training projects, but rather through the IOM administrative budget. Regional Cultural Orientation Coordinators: IOM Cultural Orientation Coordinators are placed in strategic locations where large resettlement processing is taking place. The CO coordinators liaise closely with other units within IOM involved in the resettlement process, including Operations (for travel related issues), Medical (for all health assessment and pre-departure medicals), and OPE (Overseas Processing Entities for the US). The CO coordinators also consult with the SMTO on issues related to


Page 8 of 68

How personnel are recruited (e.g. locally engaged staff, host country nationals, etc.) Continued

training, curriculum development and cultural profiles of new refugee caseloads. Coordinators are usually expats with a strong background in settlement services or training. They are recruited internationally. Cultural Orientation Trainers: Trainers are usually host country nationals who have had some living experience in the US, are familiar with the refugee population, and have keen background and/or knowledge of training. They receive intense and on-going training on training skills, updates on relevant country-specific information, and in response to feedback from domestic/on-shore providers, develop curriculum and lesson plans to address critical issues. Each year, the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) organizes CO Trainers’ Exchange Visits which provide opportunities for both US resettlement staff to travel to overseas training sites to gain a first-hand look at the work being done, as well as providing select CO trainers the opportunity to visit the U.S. for two weeks. Trainers attend meetings in Washington, followed by visits to two refugee resettlement sites. Trainers are then required to write reports on their visits and share the information they gained with colleagues back at their training site. This program has been going on for 7 years.


An evaluation of the course is given to participants at the end of each course. The CAL list serve also functions as a de-facto evaluation site as on-shore service providers are able to give off-shore CO sites feedback on how their clients are doing as well as pointing out problem areas.

Duration of Project

IOM has been continuously conducting USCO in various sites throughout the world since 1990.


CO is linked to the Overseas Processing Entity (OPE). CO projects may end if IOM does not win the bid for the OPE. Training sites also come to a close when a refugee caseload is exhausted and resettlement activities are shifted elsewhere.


These vary significantly depending on the site. Many of the refugees live in remote sites which are difficult to access and have few facilities. In Africa and the USSR, travel distances are huge and logistical arrangements complicated. The clients may also be a challenge; many are uneducated or pre-literate and have no experience and very limited exposure to the modern world.


Page 9 of 68

Other information

Training Materials: CAL serves as the technical provider and produces the Welcome to the U.S., a guidebook for refugees, as well as the accompanying DVD by the same name. Other supplementary materials include various DVDs featuring refugee families and youth orientation. CAL also produces “Backgrounders” (cultural profiles) on emerging refugee caseloads: IOM supplements these as the need arises. To see some profiles to which IOM has contributed, visit the website www.culturalorientation.net . IOM writes its own training curriculum, both in terms of key points to be covered and how the message should be delivered. As clients differ considerably from site to site, these curricula are site-specific, but follow the general key messages which are dictated by the donor (PRM). Escorts on Refugee Flights: IOM Trainers are often requested to escort flights when refugees are believed to be especially vulnerable and need supervision from point of departure to final destination. Serving as escorts has many advantages, both for the migrants and trainers, as well as for the receiving country. These advantages include providing the opportunity for trainers to experience the entire process, from departure to reception by resettlement agencies and agencies on “the receiving end.” Often, trainers are given a chance to meet with service providers, and share relevant feedback on the specifics of a given refugee group. Relevant information may include dietary needs, cultural practices, and even assistance in identifying resource people who may be in a position to serve as cultural interpreters for the group of new arrivals. Trainers write extensive reports which they share with other trainers as well as with the IOM Operations units in order to better address the needs of future refugee groups. Language / Literacy Training: Though language training is not funded as part of USCO, PRM has approved language and literacy training for specific case loads. (A separate sheet will cover Literacy Training.)


Page 10 of 68

Programme Title: Finnish Cultural Orientation (FINCO) Programme Area : Cultural Orientation/Pre-departure Orientation/Refugees Description of Project

FINCO is a pre-departure orientation training programme for quota refugees accepted to be resettled in Finland.

Project Sponsor The programme is funded by the Finnish Government, represented by the Finnish Immigration Service.

Purpose of Project

The FINCO programme aims to facilitate the smooth integration of refugees into Finnish society, and encourage the host society to get information regarding the background of the newcomers and avoid possible misunderstandings during the integration process. The programme aims to: • Raise refugees’ awareness about the initial stages of resettlement in Finland; • Assist refugees in acquiring a realistic picture of life in Finland; • Encourage self-sufficiency by providing participants with practical information and skills; • Contribute to the smooth integration of refugees within host communities in Finland; • Provide first-hand information on refugee family situation for authorities in the receiving

municipalities; • Provide information of culture of the refugees’ home country to the receiving Finnish municipalities

and thus increase understanding of cultural differences; • Discuss families’ expectations regarding their new life in Finland; • Provide means for better inclusion of families’ needs into integration activities in Finland.

Target Audience

Quota refugees accepted for resettlement to Finland


Three-day pre-departure CO courses.


Page 11 of 68


The first FINCO trainings were organized in 2001. During the past seven years, IOM has provided CO trainings in eight different countries on four continents and assisted over 2500 refugees to resettle in Finland under the programme. Training is given to refugees over 15 years of age. Trainings are organized with the support of local IOM offices and take place in the refugees’ current place of asylum, mainly at refugee camps. The countries in which trainings take place are selected in line with Finland’s annual quota refugee targets. Since 2001, FINCO trainings have been organized as follows: Cambodia: Vietnamese refugees were trained at refugee camps. Egypt: Sudanese refugees. Training took place in Cairo in an urban setting. Iran: Afghan refugees were trained at refugee camps. Lebanon: Sudanese, Somali and Ethiopian refugees were trained at camps and in Beirut. Rwanda: CO trainings for Congolese refugees at refugee camps. Syria: Iraqi refugees were trained in Damascus in an urban setting. Thailand: The caseload has consisted of Burmese, Nepalese, Chinese and Cambodian refugees, and trainings have taken place at refugee camps and in Bangkok. Turkey: Refugees from Iran and Afghanistan were trained at refugee camps and in Istanbul.


Cambodia: In 2004 and 2005, 55 refugees attended cultural orientation sessions offered by IOM. The total of number of quota refugees was 68. Egypt: 50 refugees were trained in 2001, 149 in 2003-2004 and 73 in 2005. The total of number of quota refugees was 453, out of whom a total of 272 received CO training.


Page 12 of 68

Number of Migrants Served, Broken down by Year and Client Target where possible Continued

Iran: Between 2002 and 2006, 483 Finland-bound refugees attended CO courses. The total of number of Iranian quota refugees was 805, out of which a total of 483 received CO training. Lebanon: 91 refugees were trained in 2004 and 76 in 2005. The total of number of quota refugees was 260, out of which a total of 167 received CO training. Rwanda: 94 refugees were trained in 2007 and 213 in 2008. The total of number of quota refugees was 511, out of which a total of 307 received CO training. Syria: 206 refugees received training in 2008. The total of number of Iraqi quota refugees was 281. Thailand: 100 refugees were trained in 2004, 116 in 2005, 227 in 2006, and 170 in 2008. The total of number of quota refugees was 1021, out of which a total of 613 received CO training. Turkey: 107 refugees were trained in 2002, 48 in 2003, 91 in 2004, 79 in 2005, 64 in 2006, and 51 in 2007. The total of number of quota refugees was 733, out of which a total of 440 received CO training.


Length of Sessions: Sessions are all 3 days in length. Under special circumstances, e.g. if the training is provided for a small group, the session can be carried out in 1-2 days. Methodology: Refugees are encouraged to identify and discuss differences between their own culture, the culture of the country of asylum, and the culture in Finland. This has been shown to increase refugees’ confidence in their capacities to handle change and cultural differences and empower them as active agents of their own integration process. Special attention is paid to local customs and manners that could be misunderstood or problematic in European and particularly in the Finnish cultural context. Attention is given on ’taboos’ and/or sensitive issues, such as gender equality, reproductive health issues, domestic violence, and xenophobia. Participants benefit by:

• Learning basic facts about life in Finland; • Having the opportunity to form realistic expectations of life in Finland;


Page 13 of 68

Length of Session/Activities Continued

• Acquiring knowledge of the services available to them upon arrival in Finland; • Acquiring the skills of cultural awareness, information processing, problem solving, and social

interaction; • Exploring attitudes necessary for successful integration into Finnish society: self-esteem,

tolerance, initiative, and self-reliance; • Receiving an integration information handbook.

Logistical Arrangements: During the trainings, IOM arranges accommodation for all CO refugee participants and their dependents in selected countries. IOM Helsinki arranges, when necessary, on-site childcare during CO sessions for children under 15 years to maximize the participation of parents in all training sessions. Lunches are also arranged. IOM will arrange a conference room, interpretation services in the refugees’ mother languages, as well as other necessary equipment and materials to be used during the CO session.


Per capita costs per project beneficiary range from EUR 130 to EUR 210 per person, depending on the caseload and the location where CO is held.


Cultural Orientation Trainers: FINCO trainings are carried out by qualified bi-cultural IOM expert trainers who have themselves experienced a resettlement process in Finland. The projects are supervised by the IOM Helsinki CO Coordinator, who guides the work of the IOM expert trainers and bears responsibility for liaising with counterparts and preparations for and reporting on the training. The CO Coordinator also carries out trainings for refugees with a similar cultural background.


An evaluation of the FINCO course is collected from participants at the end of each training session; it is reviewed and feedback is incorporated into future session planning.

Duration of Project

IOM has been conducting FINCO in various sites continuously since 2001.


Page 14 of 68


FINCO is funded by the Finnish Government. IOM’s ability to continue the project depends on the availability of future funding.


Challenges include, among others, logistical issues related to distant or underdeveloped training locations, and unstable security conditions. As many of the project beneficiaries have received limited or no basic education, training methodology needs to be constantly adapted in order to ensure the intended outcome.

Other information

Training Materials: Materials that are used during CO sessions are collected, developed, and translated, when necessary and feasible, by IOM Helsinki. These materials include the following:

• Outline of curriculum and training schedule; • Map and pictures of Finland; • Lectures, role plays, and exercises (job interview role play, budgeting, greeting); • DVDs and videos; • Books, pictures, and newspapers; • Currency, ATM cards; � Trainer’s material: transparencies, power point presentation, lecture notes, exercises and role

plays, brochures, drawings, comic pictures, etc. as required. Travel Arrangements: IOM Helsinki also takes care of all the necessary travel arrangements for the quota refugees on their way to Finland.


Page 15 of 68

Programme Title: Norwegian Cultural Orientation (NORCO) Programme Area : Cultural Orientation/Pre-departure Orientation/Refugees Description of Project

The NORCO is a Norway-funded program that provides: 1) pre-departure orientation focused on Norwegian culture and society for quota refugees; and 2) information about the countries where the quota refugees are from to the receiving Norwegian municipalities

Project Sponsor

Funded by Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi) in Norway.

Purpose of Project

• To promote a smoother integration of refugees into Norwegian society; • To prepare the refugees for the initial adjustment period after their arrival in Norway; • To address unrealistic expectations and limiting the effects of culture shock.

The CO programme is designed to enable refugees to:

• Develop a realistic picture of Norway and get a beginner’s understanding of its culture, values and communication style;

• Develop an understanding of the receiving municipalities’ expectations of them; • Develop knowledge about their obligations and rights in Norway; • Learn about common challenges they may encounter in the resettlement process and

understand that these are normal, in order to minimize potential difficulties

The Cultural Orientation Program also provides the receiving Norwegian municipalities with relevant up-to-date information on the resettling refugees and their situation prior to their arrival to Norway.

Target Audience

- Refugees accepted for resettlement in Norway. - Resettling Norwegian municipalities, employees that through their work are in contact with the

quota refugees.


Page 16 of 68


Pre-departure training classes for quota refugees.


Pre-departure trainings for quota refugees: NORCO started in 2003. Since then, approximately 2500 of quota refugees have participated in cultural orientation classes carried out by IOM Norway. The refugees comprise the following nationalities:

• Congolese, training hosted in Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania; • Burundians, training hosted in Zambia; • Liberians, training hosted in Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Guinea; • Burmese, training hosted in Malaysia, India and Thailand; • Bhutanese, training hosted in Nepal; • Iraqis, training hosted in Syria; • Eritreans, training hosted in Sudan; • Vietnamese, hosted in Philippines ; • Palestinians (post-arrival), training hosted in Norway

Student Handbook: A student handbook, providing key information about the content of the topics covered in the NORCO classes is distributed to the class participants at the end of the NORCO training. The Handbook is published in English, Norwegian, Burmese, Chin, Karen, Arabic, Nepali and Eritrean. Municipality seminars: 15 – 20 country information seminars annually carried out for employees in Norwegian municipalities


Page 17 of 68

How Programme is delivered (number of countries offered) Continued

Country Cultural Profiles: NORCO publishes Country and Cultural Profiles on the largest Norway-bound quota refugee groups. Profiles include pictures and information, for example on:

• Country and culture of origin of the refugees; • Transit country; • Links and references for further reading; • Information about the NORCO program

Country profiles produced so far: Eritrea, Bhutan, Myanmar, DR Congo, Burundi, Indonesia and Liberia IOM Oslo website: Information about NORCO activities can be accessed through the IOM Oslo website (www.iom.no). The site provides information on topics such as: content and purpose of training for quota refugees, statistics, content and purpose of country information seminars, country profiles, calendar of events.


2004: 580 trained (Liberians, Iranians, Chin, Acehnese and Burmese 2005: 557 trained (Congolese, Burundian, Zambian, Sudanese, Angolan, Burmese, Karen, Khmer) 2006: 622 trained (Congolese, Burundian, Vietnamese, Burmese, Chin) 2007: 753 trained (Burmese, Burundian, Cambodian, Congolese, Iraqi, Palestinian, Somali, Sri Lankan) 2008: 481 trained (Bhutanese, Burmese, Iraqi)


• Pre-departure training classes for quota refugees - 4 days (20 hours) for adults above 16 years - 2 days (10 hours) for children, 8-15 years

• Country information seminars in Norwegian municipalities - 1 day


Page 18 of 68


Budget 2006 Total budget: $372,000 Operations: $55,059 Staff: $262,649 Office: $36,607 IOM Overhead 5%: $17,708 (Exchange rate 1 USD = 6.72 NOK) Budget 2007 Total budget: $502,000 Operations: $81,743 Staff: $342,380 Office: $53,968 IOM Overhead 5%: $23,968 (Exchange rate 1 USD = 6,30 NOK) Budget 2008 Total budget: $539,000 Operations: $71,691 Staff: $390,625 Office: $50,551 IOM Overhead 5%: $25,735 (Exchange rate 1 USD = 5.44 NOK) Budget 2009 Total budget: $453,000 Operations: $49,079 Staff: $240,109 Office: $141,951 IOM Overhead 5%: $21,595 (Exchange rate 1 USD = 6.622 NOK)


Page 19 of 68


Program coordinator International IOM employee. Program Assistant Host country national, locally engaged. Bi-cultural trainers The pedagogical base of the NORCO program is the bi-cultural trainer. A bi-cultural trainer is a person who has an origin or background similar to the refugee group in question and who also has a solid background from and living experience in Norway. He or she speaks the language of the CO participants thus eliminating the need for an interpreter. Similar ethnic and immigrant/refugee background and ability to speak the same language as the refugees facilitates the creation of a trusting and open atmosphere in the class room. The bi-cultural trainer also acts as a role model for refugees as he/she has gone successfully through an integration process in Norway, learned the language, and has also managed to professionally establish him/herself in Norway.


• Pre-departure training for quota refugees The bi-cultural trainer carrying out the cultural orientation classes ends the training with a discussion on training results with the participants. • Country information seminars in Norwegian municipalities A written evaluation form is distributed to the seminar participants at the end of each seminar.

Duration of Project

Tendering process about contract after every 3 years.


IOM will compete with other organizations every third year when a tender round is announced by the Norwegian Directorate of Integration and Diversity. Consequently, IOM Norway has to win the tender after the current project-phase is over at the end of 2010, to be able to continue its engagement in the project.


Page 20 of 68


• Logistical challenges are met in some of the sites where the refugees selected for

resettlement live in difficult to access remote areas; • Tight time schedule between date for receiving basic necessary information on the selected

quota refugees and expected start-up date of trainings in transit countries; • Budget limitations prohibit the employment of bi-cultural trainers full time.

Other information

NORCO training for refugees - Teaching methodologies and techniques NORCO training sessions have been designed to be “learner-centered”. Skilled trainers directly involve the participants and ensure that they take ownership of the classes. The training methodology is hands-on, meaning that participants are not simply told about life in their new country, but are given the opportunity to experience it through role-plays, case studies, problem-solving activities, games, debates, and other activities that require their full involvement. Often video clips and power point presentations are used to highlight the topics, and student handbooks are provided with the aim of ensuring that whatever knowledge is presented is actively assimilated by the participants. Questions are encouraged, and opportunities for evaluation and follow-up are often built into the training models.

Information Seminars in the municipalities are events that are organized jointly with the concerned municipality: The inviting municipality is responsible for providing a venue and inviting the participants, while IOM is responsible for the content and presentations given in the seminar.

Agenda of the information seminars includes usually the following topics: • Basic facts about the country of origin of refugees, including the history, ethnic make up, and

reasons underlying the conflict which has led to the flight of the people; • Cultural profile of the concerned quota refugee group focusing on practical expressions of

culture and values in everyday life; • Living conditions in the first country of asylum; • Concerns of the refugees regarding the resettlement to Norway; • IOM and the NORCO


Page 21 of 68

Programme Title: Australian Cultural Orientation (AUSCO) Programme Area : Cultural Orientation/Pre-departure Orientation/Refugees and Humanitarian Entrants Description of Project

The Australian Cultural Orientation Program (AUSCO) is intended to provide humanitarian entrants with essential information about travelling to and settling in Australia before migration to their new country. IOM holds the global contract to provide AUSCO to all humanitarian entrants.

Project Sponsor

AUSCO is funded and supported by the Commonwealth of Australia, represented by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

Purpose of Project

AUSCO is intended to provide:

• accurate information on departure proceedings and the initial stages of settlement in Australia;

• the facts of the settlement process in Australia; • a realistic picture of life in Australia;

• practical information about the services available to humanitarian entrants upon arrival in Australia and how to access these;

• training promoting self-sufficiency and teaching basic life skills;

• the necessary tools to deal with initial settlement concerns and with the different stages of cultural, social and economic adaptation.

Target Audience

Refugees and humanitarian entrants nominated by DIAC, and who are primarily from the Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Bhutan, between the ages of 12 and above. Most of them have been living in camps for many years.


AUSCO Pre-departure classes. AUSCO Handbook was developed and is provided to each participant. AUSCO Certificate of Completion for all clients who complete the AUSCO program.


Page 22 of 68


AUSCO is offered in 18 different countries, and other mobile locations, including: Thailand, Kenya, Egypt, Malaysia, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Pakistan, India, Ghana, Guinea, Nepal, Zambia, Zimbabwe, DR Congo, and Malawi. Teaching approach is experiential and learner-centered. Methodologies include simulations, case studies, critical incidents, debates, discussions, problem solving, role-plays, brainstorming, values clarification exercises, and skits. AUSCO enhances the ability of refugees and humanitarian entrants in adapting to life in Australia by:

• providing them with the encouragement and motivation to pursue language studies and additional cultural orientation upon arrival;

• improving their knowledge of Australian society; • providing training in coping skills, increasing their level of confidence and control over their

own lives in the early stages of settlement; • creating an atmosphere conducive to establishing friendships which will hopefully serve as a

support network upon arrival in Australia; • providing information on support networks and assistance to newcomers in Australia; • teaching basic settlement facts; • Managing cultural and other expectations of life in Australia; • giving information of the services available to them upon arrival in Australia; and • handing out an integration information handbook.


Yearly planning target is 12,000 of which half must go through AUSCO; for the other half (sponsored caseload) AUSCO attendance is optional. Around 16,000 humanitarian entrants assisted from 2006 to 2009. • Thailand (2,100 participants) • Kenya / Uganda (4,200 participants) • Egypt ( 2,000 participants) • Malaysia (300 participants) • Iran / Jordan / Lebanon / Syria / Turkey (4,000) • Pakistan / India (1,300 participants) • Ghana / Guinea (1,600 participants) • Other locations (500 participants)


Page 23 of 68


Sessions of 3 and 5 days in length are offered, depending upon location and background of cases.


The budget for AUSCO is an estimated AUD$ 5,500,000. • Start up costs: AUD 157,308 • Fixed monthly costs: AUD 71,714/month • Monthly Ad Hoc Operation costs reimburse on a monthly basis


A Global Coordinator is selected based on specific selection criteria and is generally assigned to work in a region reflecting a high refugee intake. This is currently Bangkok, Thailand. Local trainers are also selected based on appropriate criteria such as English language and teaching/ training skills. Interpreters are used to facilitate communication where local trainers do not speak the language of refugee caseload. Each region (there are currently 4) has regional coordinators who act as supervisor and support for trainers in their region.


At the completion of each AUSCO course feedback is sought from participants through a survey. This acts as a tool to address any gaps in content as well as delivery. Feedback is also sought from donors once refugees settle. The agencies involved in assisting the settlement of refugees provide useful feedback on areas to be focused on. As of a year ago an Australian visiting scheme was introduced whereby resettled refugees return to the countries they departed from to meet with trainers providing cultural orientation and share information on areas that require greater focus.

Duration of Project

1 September 2006 – 31 August 2009 (with a one year extension)


This project has been extended until August 2010 when the donor will re-tender the program for a further period.


Page 24 of 68


Key challenges are the need to continually adapt the content and delivery to meet needs of a changing refugee profile as well as policy changes from the donor country.

Other information


Page 25 of 68

Programme Title: Cultural Orientation for France-bound Refugees Programme Area : Cultural Orientation/Pre-departure Orientation/Refugees Description of Project

IOM was contracted to provide cultural orientation for France-bound refugees and an agreement was signed June 2008 for a package of resettlement services, among which is cultural orientation.

Project Sponsor

The French Government, in conjunction with ANAEM (l’Agence Nationale de l’Accueil des Etrangers et des Migrations)

Purpose of Project

To provide cultural orientation to France-bound refugees, specifically vulnerable Iraqi refugees currently displaced in the Middle East.

Target Audience

Iraqi refugees currently residing in the Middle East (Jordan and Syria) as well as additional cases identified in Malta, aged 14 and above.


Pre-departure cultural orientation classes Donner aux bénéficiaires du programme des informations relatives au voyage et à la vie en France avant leur départ. Ce service permettra de répondre aux questionnements des bénéficiaires, d’apaiser leurs incertitudes et leurs peurs et de mieux les préparer au départ et au séjour en France. Il intervient en complément et en amont des services d’information et de conseil fournis après l’arrivée en France par l’ANAEM et les associations compétentes.

Chaque session se déroule sur une journée de formation au cours de laquelle sont abordés plusieurs sujets : le voyage ; le premier accueil ; le logement ; les démarches administratives ; le suivi médical et sanitaire ; la formation linguistique et l’éducation scolaire ; la recherche du travail ; rappels généraux sur les principales différences culturelles, la politique, la géographie, les traditions, us et costumes de la France…. (Excerpted from the Agreement)


Page 26 of 68


Bi-lingual Arabic-French speakers versed in French culture have been hired to provide the orientation to soon-to-be resettled refugees in the Middle East. Currently sessions are being offered in Syria and Jordan. As IOM carries out many of the pre-departure services, including handling all travel, the CO classes are arranged in coordination with other IOM units, including IOM Operations, Medical and Transit staff.

The French CO curriculum in the Middle East is based on materials provided by IOM France in

collaboration with L'Agence Nationale de l'Accueil des Etrangers et des Migrations (ANAEM) with topics

adapted to the interests and needs of the refugee group. All materials that have been provided to the

FRCO participants are translated into Arabic and given to them as handouts at the end of each session.

Each participant is issued a course completion certificate at the end of the course.


In 2008 only 29 participants attended a CO for France session (in Damascus) In 2009 at least 58 participants have attended CO (in Jordan and Syria)


Single full-day sessions are held for an average of 15 participants per session. Each class length is one day, (five hours plus breaks). Classes in Amman and Damascus are normally held between the hours of 10:00 AM and 3:30 PM, allowing for a lunch break of 30 minutes.


750€ for translation and adaptation of training materials (annual) 1100€ per training session (based on an average of 10-15 participants per session)


Bi-lingual trainers hired locally. Qualifications include relevant living, working or study experience in France with Arabic and French language skills a must.


Refugees bound for France will have a reduced level of anxiety and will have had the opportunity to have all of their questions answered and concerns raised during the one day training session. This will result in a smoother post-arrival process, and aid the integration and resettlement of this particular group.


Page 27 of 68

Duration of Project

1 September 2008 to December 2009


N/A


Some of the participants are worried about their ability to learn the French language, and have expressed this concern. (Not an uncommon sentiment held by many refugee populations).

Other information

L’ANAEM, le Ministère de l’Immigration, de l’Intégration, de l’Identité Nationale et du Développement Solidaire et les Ambassades de France à Amman et à Damas coopèrent avec l’OIM dans le déroulement du service et s’engagent notamment dans la définition de la documentation qui servira de support au cours des sessions de formation, tout en fournissant à l’OIM les informations et les éclaircissements nécessaires concernant la France, ses institutions et procédures administratives. L’OIM et l’ANAEM, avec le Ministère et les Ambassades constituent un group de travail collaboratif, qui veille au bon suivi de la définition et du développement du service. (Excerpted from the Agreement)


Page 28 of 68

Programme Title: Pre-Departure Cultural Orientation for Korea-Bound Vietnamese Spouses Programme Area : Cultural Orientation/Pre-departure Orientation/Marriage Migration Description of Project

The project was intended to provide pre-departure orientation training to vulnerable migrant brides destined for Korea. The primary reason for their vulnerability is that they enter into commercial broker-arranged marriages with little or no knowledge about life in Korea, and hence if and when they find themselves in an abusive situation, they lack the information and knowledge to contact the relevant support. Furthermore, most of the migrant brides are from relatively poor areas of Vietnam and have little knowledge or understanding of realities of life in Korea, or negotiating a cross-cultural relationship.

Project Sponsor

Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and SK Telecom

Purpose of Project

To better prepare the thousands of potentially vulnerable Vietnamese women marrying Korean nationals, via a brief broker-arranged process, for their migration to Korea.

Target Audience

All Vietnamese women marrying Korean nationals were invited to attend pre-departure orientation. In the project’s pilot phase, a total of 1,147 attended the programme, aged 16 and above. Most participants came from southern Vietnamese provinces, reflecting the predominantly southern nature of the marriage migration phenomenon. IOM worked in cooperation with the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea to promote the programme among women coming to the Consulate to apply for their visas.


Orientation to all eligible marriage migrants Toll Free hotline providing information to marriage migrants.


Page 29 of 68


Programme was offered in one sending country, Vietnam. PDO was one day in length, with participants travelling to Ho Chi Minh City to attend.


1,147 marriage migrants served between October 2007 and February 2008. More than 75% of participants were under the age of 24, more than 35% under the age of 20.


Sessions were held for one full day. PDO classes held during the period were entirely in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam (100%). Periodically the class had visitors, most notably from the Viet Nam Women’s Union and its Marriage Support Centre, Viet Nam Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Provincial People’s Committees, Korean Broadcasting Service (KBS), Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Korea (MOGEF), and Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The Consulate General of Korea was the primary avenue for participant referrals, and secondarily, the HCMC Women’s Union referred some of their clients as well. Each PDO class included the following activities: a survey of programme participants and their respective destinations in Korea, Korean culture (including a video), food, currency, shopping, housing, a traditional Korean lunch, public offices in Korea, transportation, as well as Korean laws and social services pertaining to migrant women. A second activity related to the orientation, was the operation of a toll-free telephone hotline at the phone number 1800 5555 82. During the project period a total of 1,783 persons contacted the hotline, only four of which needed counselling on issues pertaining to marriage migration. Therefore, the primary benefit of hotline operation was that it provided free access to participants wishing to register for a class. However, despite only four cases needing counselling, the support provided to them was crucial to their well-being, and they were provided with information and support that otherwise may have been unavailable to them. In all four instances, involving women that were soon-to-be married, had they made an un-informed decision to migrate based on their limited information they would have found themselves in vulnerable situations.


Page 30 of 68


Funding received was 82,000,000 Korean Won, or approximately $54,000 US. Costs were primarily related to production of classroom materials, rent, travel reimbursement for participants, and staff salaries.


Programme was managed by IOM experts in the field of international marriage migration, with local staff recruited for administration and direct implementation.


Most participants reported that the information they received was essential for assisting with their transition to Korea. No other programme exists in Vietnam to provide this type of training or information to marriage migrants.

Duration of Project

The project was a six-month pilot project.


Donor ultimately decided not to fund project in subsequent phase, although they acknowledged that the project had been successful.


There were some difficulties in implementing the project goals. The greatest challenge was the physical collapse of a building adjacent to the PDO class location, due to mismanagement of a neighbouring construction project. This forced the evacuation of the PDO class premises and the class was relocated to a new site, disrupting normal class proceedings for a period of two weeks. Informational materials instructing class participants where to go to attend the programme were forced to be rewritten and reprinted as a result of the relocation. While the physical space at the new location was larger than that of the original site, it was considerably older and less clean. However, the lessor, MoFA Viet Nam, worked hard to accommodate the class in spite of the difficult circumstances resulting from the building collapse.


Page 31 of 68

Programme Title: Cultural Orientation and Language Training for the UK and Ireland Programme Area : Cultural Orientation/Pre-departure Orientation/Language Training/Refugees Description of Project

A 60-hour English language training only (no CO) was offered to Burmese refugees being resettled from Thailand to Ireland. For the UK, Cultural Orientation is held for three days, and Language Training may be anywhere from 10 to 15 days. In general, the classes last for 2-3 weeks, five contact hours a day. This course is offered to all refugees accepted under the UK’s Gateway Protection Programme. IOM holds the global contract to provide pre-arrival orientation and receives updates through the UK BIA (Border and Immigration Agency).

Project Sponsor

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs’ Reception and Integration Agency funded the Irish training and the Home Office of the UK government funded the UK training. In September, 2007, IOM was officially named the cultural orientation and English language provider for the UK’s resettlement/Gateway protection programme. CO/ESOL was also included in the extension of the Grant Agreement in February 2007.

Purpose of Project

The general objectives of pre-departure training are to increase refugees’ knowledge of their country of destination. The programs are intended to contribute to the empowerment of refugees, enabling them to cope with their immediate needs on arrival; enhance their ability to become self-sufficient more quickly; and assist them in integrating more smoothly into the host-country society. Refugees are informed of social services and facilities available to them and are encouraged to continue the learning process initiated by IOM by taking advantage of CO and English language training available upon arrival in the their new country.

Target Audience

For Ireland: Participants attending the training were all of Myanmar nationality, Karen ethnicity, and were almost equally divided between men and women. The groups were of mixed educational background, with the majority having completed only a few years of primary school. A total of 49 refugees attended one of the two training sessions. The participants ranged from 17 to 57 years of age.


Page 32 of 68

Target Audience Continued

For the UK: Refugees from a number of countries (see below) aged 12 and above attend both CO and Language Training.


English language classes for Ireland and English language and cultural orientation classes for the UK.


For Ireland, to date, training has only taken place in Thailand, in 2 different sessions in 2007. For the UK:

• In 2005 the first refugees accepted by the UK Home Office attended classes in Thailand, followed by another group in Uganda;

• In 2006, additional groups followed, and were offered CO-ELT classes in Kakuma and Nairobi, Kenya, as well as in Zambia, Senegal, and Thailand;

• Currently the program has expanded to the Middle East and Bangladesh, with additional trainings planned in the Emergency Transit Centre in Romania set to take place in May 2009.


For Ireland: 49 to date • 49 Burmese refugees living in Thailand received training in two 3-week sessions in 2007

For the UK: 882 to date

• 2005: 47 in Thailand; 45 in Africa (Uganda) • 2006: 55 in Thailand; 173 in Africa (57 Zambia and 116 Kenya) • 2007: 109 in Thailand; 97 in Africa (in Kenya) • 2008: 104 in Africa (in Kenya and Zambia); 20 in Bangladesh, 114 (in Jordan) • 2009: 26 in Africa (all in Tanzania); 32 in Bangladesh; 60 in the Middle East; and shortly a

group of Palestinian refugees bound for the UK will attend classes in an Emergency Transit Centre located in Timisoara, Romania


Ireland: Sessions generally run for 3 weeks UK: Sessions run for a total of 15 days (3 days of CO and 10-12 days of Language Training, with the exception of the Middle East, where no language training is currently being offered.) English language training and cultural orientation


Page 33 of 68


Ireland: $15,000. A significant portion of the cost was the trainer’s travel to and from the camp, as well as the per diem of the trainer, as the training site was in a remote camp. No charge was made for development of lessons as the lessons were similar to other, previously developed, language training courses. UK: Costs vary widely depending on location. Because of the many locations and relatively small class sizes, per capita costs may be higher than for other programs.

• 2005: Thailand: $13,000 (CO only); $15,556 in Africa; • 2006: Thailand: $23,600 (CO and LT); $26,962 in Africa; • 2007: Thailand: approx. $35,000 (CO and LT); $37,953 in Africa; • 2008: $26,838.00 in Africa; $3,925 in the Middle East; $27,828 Bangladesh (for ‘08 and ‘09

trainings); • 2009: $24,332 (Africa) ; $8,329 in the Middle East


Locally engaged CO trainers, who had had previous experience in language training, were assigned to carry out the language training and CO.


For all courses, refugees fill out a course evaluation at the end of the course.

Duration of Project

UK Grant Agreement extends IOM’s involvement for a three-year period, starting in 2007


To date, Ireland has not accepted any more refugees from Thailand. For UK, the project is on-going.


Refugees with different levels of English are a challenge. Classes have to be modified to provide suitable instruction to all levels. In Thailand, class sizes may be small as the caseload is spread over several different camps and travel is difficult from one camp to the other.


Page 34 of 68

Challenges encountered Continued

Planning for the cultural orientation and language teaching (LT) is often left until very late by the UK Government. LT must sometimes be limited due to lack of time before departure. Cultural orientation is conducted at the last moment when refugees must also pass through the embassy for visas, medical exams, fingerprinting and other operational necessities. This is not the “teachable” moment, as many appear apprehensive.

Other information

Cultural Orientation needs to be conducted at least two weeks prior to departure so that participants will have enough time for their visas, medical exams, packing, etc. IOM has requested for the UK to develop a video that shows life in the UK in order to supplement the training.


Page 35 of 68

Programme Title: Pre-Departure Orientation and Language Training for Italy-bound Caregivers Programme Area : Pre-departure Orientation/Language Training/Labour Migration Description of Project

This project responds to the needs for a trained work-force in the sector of personal care services going to Italy. The focus is on networking between relevant public institutions and employment agencies in Sri Lanka and their counterparts in the Tuscany region of Italy. The project carried out activities related to the pre-selection, selection, vocational/language training, pre-departure orientation, travel assistance, social integration and labour insertion of 100 Sri Lankan workers.

o Pre-Departure /Pre-Employment Orientation o Language Training

Project Sponsor

The Italian Government’s Ministry of Labour Immigration Direction and Sri Lankan Ministry of Employment and Social Policies

Purpose of Project

• Set up in Sri Lanka with a pre-selection list with about 300 candidates whose professional qualifications meet the needs identified by the Tuscany Region;

• Select 100 candidates qualified and interested in working in the personal care sector in Italy; • Setting up a training module aiming at providing the 100 selected workers with basic knowledge of

the Italian language and with specific vocational skills in order to facilitate the job initiation process in Italy;

• Provide technical assistance to the Tuscany Region (employers) for the selection and recruitment of 100 Sri Lanka personal care workers

•

Target Audience

100 Sri Lankan migrant caregivers going to work in Italy


Page 36 of 68


• 3-week Italian Language programme; • Cultural Orientation Handbook developed and provided for each participant; • 1 week Employment skills, included sessions on safe migration; • Job secured with Italian employers; • Pre-departure travel assistance (including visa facilitation, flight booking and ticket purchase)


Pilot course delivered in Sri Lanka in collaboration with IOM Rome


2005 only: Sri Lankan Govt. provided 251 names 86 people selected for interview with profiles matching criteria. 60 persons selected for the positions. All completed 4 weeks of training 53 persons left for jobs in Italy (7 dropped out due to change in family circumstances)


3 weeks of Italian language course / 1 week professional caregivers’ training 120 hours of pre-departure training


Overall Cost: € 210,000 • Staff & Office costs: € 149,900 • Selection & Pre-departure assistance: € 21,750 • Training materials: € 22,750 • Delivery of training courses: € 15,600


Page 37 of 68


Recruitment was conducted in collaboration with IOM Rome. Trainers from IOM Rome conducted the training with translators from Sri Lanka.


An evaluation several months later revealed that 80% of migrant workers were still working, most within the same families which had recruited them.

Duration of Project

November 2004 – October 2005


End of Project 2005


Cultural challenges linked to the nature of the work. Most of the selected candidates had little knowledge of either English or Italian. They also were from rural backgrounds and had little experience living in urban European homes and could have benefited from increased training which simulated a Western home environment.

Other information


Page 38 of 68

Programme Title: Upgrading English Language Training for Migrant Workers of Bangladesh Programme Area : Language Training/Labour Migration Description of Project

This project provides English language Training for migrant workers in Bangladesh travelling abroad. IOM collaborated with the Government of Bangladesh and the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Oversees Employment.

Project Sponsor

The project is funded by 1035 Geneva

Purpose of Project

To upgrade the English language training for oversees migrant workers registered with and conducted by Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training ( BMET)

Target Audience

Out going migrants from Bangladesh ( hotel workers, nurses, labourers)


• Standardised BMET module • Materials for the English language training were reviewed and improved on, printed and

disseminated for use • Build capacity of selected staff of BMET in English language training and oversees migration • Enhance capacity of BMET English language training laboratory • Provide English language education in pre-departure orientation for migrants • Install a new English language lab at one divisional city to run with upgraded/improved English

language training materials/modules • Develop manuals: English for Migrants and English for Nurses


Page 39 of 68


Activities:

• Conduct needs assessment and recommendations for skills upgrading • Review current materials/modules fro BMET English language training and collect other

quality materials from various sources • Develop new training modules/materials to better reflect the experiences of overseas

employment and draft module which incorporates these to better prepare migrants for overseas employment

• Seminar/workshop for finalizing the draft module • Make appropriate materials bilingual Bengal/English • Capacity building of selected staff and training in using the new module/materials • Procurement of training equipments to enhance the capacity of English Language training

laboratory • Set up of new English lab at one divisional city


10 English language trainers and100 migrant workers ( nurses and hotel workers)


N/A


Total budget USD 49,963


The project was run by IOM MRF Dhaka in partnership with the BMET.


Page 40 of 68


The existing training materials provide migrants with a general course in English language, however it was not tailored to meet the specific needs of migrants, nor does it take into consideration the requirements of all destination countries.

The English language needs of skilled migrants include five broad categories English for migration, socialisation, personal safety well-being and justice, English as a life-skill, and English for work.

Duration of Project

March 1, 2004- December 31, 2005 ( one year and nine months)


Following the successful training and graduation of trainers, development of the training manual and training of government officials for delivery of English language training, IOM handed over the project to the BMET officials at the end of the project period.


• The Director General of BMET with whom implementation process was initiated had been

transferred and a new DG appointed , hence the project started later than actual plan • One consultant had been unable to come up with draft satisfactory manual • Government procedure of recruiting trainers is a long process responsible staff of the BMET

were changed/transferred during project period which resulted in longer time being spent to become accustomed

• Not getting suitable consultant for the English for Work for hotel workers • Language lab set up in divisional city -- Chittagong -- was much delayed in beginning the

course • Very little feedback received on the manual itself • Political unrest in country resulted in many working days lost in August-September 2004

Other information

Monitoring of the training of migrant workers and a feedback session with trainers was carried out to update the manual; the manual was revised based on the report and their suggestions. An evaluation meeting was also carried out with BMET officials on constraints and future courses of action. The course was institutionalised by BMET in 15 government Teacher Training centers which target skill development


Page 41 of 68

Programme Title: Pre-departure Orientation for Canada Bound Labour Migrants Programme Area : Pre-departure Orientation/Labour Migration Description of Project

The training is only one aspect of the labour migration projects run by IOM for migrants going to work in low and semi-skilled occupations in Canada.

Project Sponsor

Training sessions are funded by the employing companies in Canada.

Purpose of Project

• To provide labour migrants with clear and detailed information to assist them with immediate settlement needs and concerns in Canada;

• To ensure that labour migrants have realistic expectations of their earnings and savings capacities, as well as life and living conditions in their new host community and country;

• To ensure that migrants have a clear understanding of their contract, rights and responsibilities, and their legal status in Canada as well as potential future opportunities within Canada.

Target Audience

Low and semi-skilled labour migrants taking part in IOM-run labour migration projects for employment in Canada.


Services vary according to groups and countries of origin. All migrants in the program receive:

• 1 day pre-departure orientation course that reviews Canadian culture and climate, banking and remittances, health and healthcare benefits, rights and obligations, migration process, etc. Hard copy of Cultural orientation course is provided.

• Provision of a handbook for migrants with detailed information to assist in integration, specific to their destination and employer

Other training services that are also provided to some groups depending on circumstances and country-of-origin include:

• ESL Courses (up to 120 hours) • IT Training (basic use of computers, e-mail, internet, IM, etc.) • Financial Literacy Courses (up to 40 hours)


Page 42 of 68


The first training sessions for labour migration projects to Canada were conducted in IOM Bogota in August of 2007. They have since been conducted in the following locations: IOM Bogota: Training first began in August 2007 with the visit of the Global Project Coordinator (and Trainer) for Canadian Orientation Abroad by which four one day trainings were provided by the Trainer for the first 149 migrants to work abroad in Canada through facilitated labour migration process with IOM. The IOM staff assisted with this training and were trained to provide future trainings for labour migrants. Since August 2007, trainings have been provided for groups headed to Brandon (MB), Brooks (AB), Lethbridge (AB) and Edmonton (AB). English courses of up to 120 hours have been included for many groups. Trainings have been for those who have worked in the meat processing industry. The MFA and Ministry of Social Protection also presented in trainings as well. IOM Mauritius: Training has been conducted for several groups of migrants going to work in meat processing, bread production, and industrial cleaning. There have been several destinations for groups involved, including Brooks (AB), Calgary (AB), Edmonton (AB), Lethbridge (AB), North Battleford (SK), Brandon (MB), and Yamachiche (QC). Candidates are provided with IT Training courses (24 hours) as well as a one-day cultural orientation course. Financial Literacy courses will be incorporated into training in future projects. IOM San Salvador: A one day training session has been delivered at the beginning of 2009 for a group 80 Salvadoran migrants. The orientation was prepared in coordination with the GoES and the Canadian Embassy in El Salvador participated in the introductory process. IOM Tegucigalpa: Training sessions are prepared in coordination with the GoH for migrants selected to work in Agriculture and Meat Processing sectors in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Spouses are invited to participate in the one-day pre-departure orientation and IT training courses will be provided in the future along with the current English courses.


IOM Bogota: Trainings have been provided to 585 Canada bound labour migrants. These groups have departed for four separate plants in Alberta and Manitoba Canada, with two Canadian meat processing companies.


Page 43 of 68

Number of Migrants Served, Broken down by Year and Client Target where possible, Continued

IOM Mauritius: Since March of 2008, IOM Mauritius has conducted training for 215 Canada-bound labour migrants. These groups have departed for employment in 8 different plants/locations for 4 different companies. IOM San Salvador: Trainings have been provided to 80 Salvadoran labour migrants during the first quarter of 2009. The selected workers will depart during 2009 to work at meat processing plants in Alberta and Saskatchewan. IOM Tegucigalpa: Since July 2007 training has been provided to 225 Honduran labour migrants selected by 2 companies to work in 3 different provinces.


Pre-departure orientation sessions consist of a one-day course with presentations, as well as group-learning activities and exercises. Training methodology is active and participatory with group activities to understand budgeting, housing/living concerns, and communication issues. Spouses of migrants are also invited to participate in the orientation sessions, when possible. In addition to group activities, PowerPoint presentations are provided on various themes as well as video presentations on Canada and on migrants’ specific occupations/employers in Canada. Guest speakers are occasionally called in to present, including government workers on labour migration, officials from the banking sector to explain international remittances, etc.


In Mauritius, per capita costs for the one-day cultural orientation training are approximately $30-40. Venue is provided by the Ministry of Labour and catering is called in to provide lunch and snacks. Initial start-up materials (videos, posters, maps, etc.) cost approximately $1,000 and the PowerPoint Modules were developed over 60 hours. Materials then produced and distributed at each orientation cost approximately $10 per participant.


Page 44 of 68

Cost of Project, Continued

In Honduras and El Salvador, the pre departure orientation day costs approximately 30$-35$ per worker. This includes the rent of venue, refreshments and materials to be handed out to the workers. In Bogota, the pre-departure orientation training day costs approximately USD 20-25 per worker. The venue is situated in a hotel, and includes: the rent of venue, lunch, snacks and beverages throughout the day.


Project coordinators and those participating on the overall labour recruitment projects will conduct the orientation sessions. Sessions are developed in collaboration with IOM Migrant Training experts. The size of groups and overall numbers involved do not justify the recruitment of staff specifically for training sessions.


An evaluation survey/questionnaire is provided to all migrants between 3 and 6 months after their arrival in Canada. The survey asks for feedback on their integration process, their satisfaction with services provided at various stages of the process, and specifically for feedback on the content and quality of the cultural orientation sessions.

Duration of Project

IOM has been conducting labour migration projects for low skilled workers destined for Canada since March 2007, and has now conducted these projects and trainings in 4 different locations.


These labour migration projects and training are based on employer demand. If Canadian companies no longer demonstrate interest in using IOM services for implementation of labour migration projects, the training sessions would terminate.


Page 45 of 68


There have been no major challenges to the program or training. The main challenge is researching to provide detailed and accurate information. Moreover, given the usual quick turnaround time and response once a company has been selected to the day of the departure of the migrants, this requires a cohesive and rapid response to the needs of the company, assuring that the migrants are informed and aware of their rights, roles and responsibility throughout this entire process. As groups are going to very specific locations and working for a specific employer, participants will expect detailed information regarding their particular situation and it is a challenge to investigate and research the necessary information.

Other information

Training Materials: Handbooks are developed in cooperation with LFM and tailored to each group depending upon country of origin, and city and employer of destination. IOM Mauritius has also developed wallet-sized cards in a similar material to calling cards (ie: They do not tear) with important contact numbers in country of origin and country of destination for all migrants to bring with them. The Power Points and curriculum for training sessions have been developed in collaboration with participating missions and LFM/Migrant Training staff. They are regularly updated based on evaluations and feedback from participants. Escorts on Labour Migrant Flights: IOM will escort groups of workers to Canada from the country of origin (such as in the case of Mauritius, Colombia, El Salvador and Honduras) so less emphasis is paid on the actual travel and transit process. Additional Training: In Mauritius, IT training has been funded by the employing companies themselves and conducted by the National Computer Board. The Financial Literacy Courses are currently under development and will be conducted by either the National Productivity and Competitiveness Council or Caritas. In Honduras, additional IT training is being coordinated with Professional Training Centers for labour migrants selected in future processes.


Page 46 of 68

Programme Title: Pre-Embarkation Briefing for Refugees Programme Area : Pre-departure Orientation/Supplementary Services Description of Project

Refugees receive a 2-4 hour briefing on airplane travel and how to conduct themselves on the journey to their new country.

Project Sponsor

PRM (US), CIC (Canada)

Purpose of Project

Refugees who have little experience with the modern world or have never flown do not know how to conduct themselves on the airplane. Some arrive dehydrated or hungry because they are not aware of the need to drink plenty of fluids, or that the food does not have to be paid for on the flight. Airlines have been known to complain that refugees are not prepared and may at times leave the aircraft in a sullied state. Refugees may travel several months after their CO course and may have forgotten the many details they will need to remember for the flight; a refresher is needed. In addition, they may need additional pointers on appropriate clothing, what to pack for infants, and more.

Target Audience

Refugees bound for resettlement


A 2-4 hour briefing on in-flight procedures including air safety, infant and child-care, what to pack, and transit assistance.


In Thailand, refugees bound for Canada spend a day or two at a transit facility prior to their trip to the airport. The briefing is carried out at the transit facility. In Nepal, refugees bound for the US also spend a day or two at a transit facility in Kathmandu. The training is carried out at that time.


Page 47 of 68


Between 2001 and 2003 over 6,000 Somali Bantus attended a pre-departure embarkation briefing in Kenya. In 2008, 4000 Bhutanese refugees participated In Nepal, and an estimated 400 in Thailand.


A 2-4 hour briefing on in-flight procedures. Refugees are taught what they can and cannot pack, how to find their seats using a boarding pass, that food is free (or not), and that they should drink plenty of water. They are also shown how to use Western flush toilets, how to dispose of trash, and how to fasten their seat belts. They undergo simulations which assist them in a number of key areas, including how to use disposable diapers, and how to assist children and members of their family to use the lavatory facilities. Supervision of children is emphasized as well. DVDs, a physical ‘run through’ with mock boarding passes, and realia (seat belts, food trays, air sickness bags) are used as training tools. In the US, refugees transferring domestically do not receive any transit assistance; they are taught how to make the final connection on their own. Language is also taught, including helpful phrases such as, “Please help me find Gate G10” and “I’m looking for the restroom.”


In Thailand, under $1000. In Nepal, est. $4,000. For some programmes, the training is carried out regardless of whether it is charg

Documents

IOM MIGRANT TRAINING PROGRAMME SURVEY 1998 – 2009 · IOM Nepal: 122 refugees were trained in 2007 and 5,112 in 2008. It is expected that 14,000 refugees will be trained in 2009