World Jewish Relief
Providing training and practical support to help refugees gain sustainable employment
World Jewish Relief has a history of helping refugees integrate into British life dating back to the 1930s and 1940s, and its Specialist Training and Employment Programme (STEP) emerged from efforts to support Syrian refugees in 2015.
As the government’s Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme began, World Jewish Relief realised that refugee employment services had been cut, with no specialist support available to people.
Employment is important to enable individuals to become financially independent, contribute to the economy and feel valued and motivated.
World Jewish Relief already had the experience of delivering employment programmes in eastern Europe and East Africa and decided to bring its experience to help those being resettled in the UK. STEP began with a focus on English for Speakers of Other Languages, as a key factor in helping people integrate.
In addition, the charity runs CV workshops and interview skills training. It also offers targeted training in health and safety, HGV licence preparation, hair and beauty and food hygiene courses.
Initially, World Jewish Relief worked with one partner, Horton Housing in Bradford, but has grown the programme to 12 locations around the UK. Last year the programme was further expanded to support refugees who have come through the asylum system as well as emergency programmes for Afghans.
Since 2016, the programme has supported over 1,000 refugees. Nationally, the refugee employment rate is just 2%. As of last year, employment outcomes across the STEP programme were between 19% and 29%.
Awards judge Sharika Sharma said the charity’s work was “practical and impressive, offering very hands-on support”.
Judge Yvonne Field added that World Jewish Relief was now one of the biggest centres in the country doing this kind of work, so was clearly showing real leadership in the field. “They are crossing barriers in terms of diversity, and supporting a group that has been particularly marginalised and disadvantaged.”
CC Reg no. 290767
