- Indeed, the Tent Partnership for Refugees, the Department for Work and Pensions, and the UN Refugee Agency are partnering to host a job fair at the Kia Oval
- More than 50 employers are looking to fill over 500 positions, including Amazon, Lidl, the NHS, and Starbucks
- The event aims to get refugees into work as well as offer them career guidance
- With more than 350,000 refugees living in Britain today, the event addresses the need to help them secure jobs and better integrate in their new communities
Thousands of refugees are registered for a job fair taking place this Wednesday at the Kia Oval cricket ground, where they will be able to connect with some of the UK’s largest employers that are looking to fill open roles.
The event - which is being hosted by the global hiring platform Indeed, the Tent Partnership for Refugees (Tent), the Department for Works and Pension, and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) - aims to make the search for work as simple and seamless as possible for local jobseekers, with a focus on refugees.
Attendees will be able to access CV and career guidance as well as opportunities to network directly with employers and, in some cases, register for interviews with actively hiring companies.
Dozens of employers in industries such as healthcare, hospitality, logistics, and retail are participating in the event, including Amazon, The Body Shop, Lidl, Marriott International, the NHS, and Starbucks.
In total, more than 500 open positions including barista, chef, electrical and mechanical engineer, and healthcare assistant roles will be available to refugee job seekers.
According to the UN Agency for Refugees, there are 365,258 refugees, including other people in refugee-like situations in the UK. Research* shows that refugees are less likely to be in employment than the UK-born and migrant population with 51% of refugees in employment compared to 73% for UK nationals.
The London job fair is one of several happening across Europe in partnership between Indeed and Tent to help refugees integrate in their new countries through employment. So far, thousands of jobseekers have attended events in Warsaw, Krakow, and Milan with others in Berlin and Amsterdam happening later this month.
How to Attend
Refugee jobseekers in and around London can find out more about the upcoming event and available roles by visiting this page. While registration in advance of the event is encouraged, it’s not mandatory.
Anyone interested in interviewing for a job on the day can submit their CV in advance via the registration form on the dedicated web page. At the event, refugees will also be able to engage with services such as CV and career guidance that support their jobseeker journey. .
Refugees will check in upon arrival and meet with employers, before conducting an interview if there is a job that matches their qualifications and requirements.
Bill Richards, UK Managing Director at the global hiring platform Indeed, said:
“Many refugees are still rebuilding their lives and the reality is that connecting to employment is yet another difficult challenge they face. Indeed’s mission is to help all people get jobs and we are committed to helping overcome those barriers by using our technology, insights and networks to make sure everyone has access to opportunity.
“With more than 350,000 refugees living in the UK today, the London job fair is an opportunity for the refugee community to speak with employers who are hiring for a wide range of roles. The event will help alleviate barriers to employment that refugees face and reduce the time it takes to get them to the interview stage, with the human element of in-person conversations with on-site staff.”
Jen Stobart, Director for the UK at Tent, said:
“Finding a job is one of the most crucial steps to refugees’ integration in their new communities. Many refugees face multiple barriers to finding a job — such as language, qualifications recognition, lack of social and professional networks, and childcare — and that is why it is so important for the business community to step up, address and overcome these barriers.
“We are thrilled to see so many of our member companies in the UK attend this job fair in London and witness the incredible positive impact it will have on refugees’ lives.”
Vicky Tennant, the UK Representative for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, said:
“The opportunity to work and earn a living is a crucial step for refugees who have fled conflict and persecution, as they seek to rebuild their lives in a new country and become part of the community that has welcomed them.
“Refugees bring with them diverse range of skills, experiences and perspectives representing a significant opportunity for host countries and employers. Hiring refugees can help tackle labour shortages and skills gaps and build a more diverse workforce that fosters an innovative and creative work environment.
“Yet, many refugees in the UK struggle to access the labour market or find themselves in jobs that do not match their skills and experience. UNHCR is excited to be part of an event that harnesses the interest and resources of employers and matches refugee talent with employer’s needs.”