The International Rescue Committee (IRC) offers services to support refugees and asylum seekers into work in the UK. These include a comprehensive Job Readiness course, which helps individuals find jobs, create excellent applications, build interview skills, and understand their legal rights in the workplace.
What we do
Refugee Employment Programme
The Refugee Employability Programme (REP) is a UK government-funded programme to support refugees to integrate into life in the UK, contribute to the economy and build a sustainable and long-term future.
The Refugee Employability Programme can help refugees in the South West with finding employment, settling in and learning English.
Find out more about the Refugee Employability Programme (REP) here.
Job Readiness Training
This 18-hour comprehensive training provides refugees with key information about finding work in the UK.
If you or someone you know has refugee or asylum seeker status and are looking for employment support or could benefit from our training, please fill out the relevant referral form below and we will get in touch soon.
Job Readiness Training - Referral form
Career Coaching
IRC's Refugee Employment Specialists offer 1:1 career coaching sessions, helping refugees to plan their next steps and find the right work. As well as helping refugees to prepare for interviews and job applications, including writing CVs and cover letters, they help match them with the right roles and offer them tailored tips on things like job fairs, recruitment agencies, networking opportunities, as well as navigating contracts and finances when in work.
Volunteer Connections
Refugees are able to benefit from the experience and insight of a range of volunteers through IRC. Employees from a range of organisations, such as American Express and Verizon, support refugees directly through special workshops and 1:1 coaching sessions, helping them with everything from English language support to tailoring their LinkedIn profile.
Recruitment Pathways
Through networks such as the Business Refugee Action Network (BRAN) IRC liaises with employers to find the best roles for refugees, and to support and advise them on best practise inclusive recruitment.
Sharing Best Practise
IRC offers free training to any organisation offering employment support to refugees in the UK. We also love to learn from and partner with local service providers to share ideas on what works, and we have benefitted from work with the Department of Work and Pensions, The Money Charity and The Skills Network.
Peer Mentoring & Leadership
For new refugees arriving in the UK, having someone who can empathise with your situation is invaluable. The IRC matches refugee mentors who have already settled in the UK with new arrivals who they then support with practical advice, friendship and encouragement.
Our other services for refugees
Many of the above services also overlap with our other integration and education programmes. Go to an overview of IRC UK resettlement, asylum and integration (RAI) services.
66%
of clients on the IRC's Job Readiness Training received a job offer within 90 days of the course.
The IRC provides Job Readiness Training to refugees who are keen to start their careers in the UK. The course covers every aspect of employment in the UK, from how to write a CV and cover letter to interview techniques.
1,300+
Educators reached since our Healing Classrooms programme launched in May 2022.
The Healing Classrooms programme offers free training to educators on how to offer children a safe and predictable place to learn and cope with the consequences of conflict and displacement.
80%
of Ukrainian clients who’ve completed the IRC's Cultural Orientation for Newcomers have improved their knowledge of how to access local services in the UK.
In Cultural Orientation for Newcomers, the IRC skills refugees with the knowledge they need to navigate their new community and beyond. We also work with local communities to help them be better equipped to support the integration of local refugees.
