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Engineers without Borders workshop: Exploring support for jobseeking refugee engineers.

Kevin Bowsher, QPM28-9-16

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Coming Up…

Introduction Case Studies Identified Barriers

• Individual• Business

Perceived Benefits Summary

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Introduction

Network Rail – In Context

My Work with Transitions, Women in Construction, Spinal Injury Assoc.

Advisory Panel Participation

Attending Events

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Context - What we do is ….

2,500 stations

28bn freight tonne kms

700 tunnels

20,000 miles of track

35,000 employees

30,000 bridges

800 shops

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Case Study – Alban Bytyqi

June to October 2014

Unpaid Placement (travel and subsistence)

CIPD Qualified – HR Role

Applied for several roles(NB internal / external issue)

Successfully led photography competition project

National Grid and Metropolitan Housing

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Case Study – Hafiz Mustafaey

September to December 2015

Unpaid Placement (travel and subsistence)

Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (Queen Mary University) & Member of IET (MIET)

Placement in Network Rail Electrification Team

‘I will not forget the help you provided me by giving me this opportunity’ - Hafiz

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Case Study – Hasan Abosharfo March 2016 to Present Day

Full Time Employee (Rail Conversion Prog.)

University of Aleppo, Syria Sep 2005 - Sept 2010 Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering

Selected through Established Recruitment Processes

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Further Case Studies

Iyob Ghebrekristos - 2 Week Placement

NA – mentoring and networking MK, MB, AS, HH, OK, LM and SM (Applicants for Network Rail

Jobs)

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Identified Barriers - Individual

Unconscious and Conscious Bias Online Assessments Interview Skills – (on both sides) Recognition of Qualifications Requirement for Institute Membership Experience – i.e. the Context Perceived Communication Issues – Written and

Spoken English

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Identified Barriers - Business

Transition’s Scope (UK wide v London base) Lack of Comparable Services Elsewhere Preferred Supplier List Management Internal Rigidity over Budgets (re funding

placements) Lack of Awareness of Refugees’ Legal Status Focus on Performance Transition’s Business Model (paid / unpaid)

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Perceived Benefits

(of Working with Transitions): Supportive Approaches Skills Development Pro Bono Work Knowledge and Advice Innovative Expands concept of Diversity Refugees as a Key Issue

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Summary and Questions

Have a safe and wonderful day…