In a move to strengthen refugee access to international labour markets, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, have launched a pioneering "train-to-hire" programme for displaced individuals in the Asia-Pacific region.
"When we invest in the potential of people on the move, we are opening doors to a future where skills matter more than status, and where people can thrive with dignity and purpose," said IOM Director General Amy Pope. "Migrants and refugees bring skills, experience, and determination. This initiative helps connect those qualities with real opportunities in the labor market, benefiting both the individuals and the communities that welcome them."
"As forced displacement reaches record levels, we urgently need practical, scalable solutions for refugees to find safety and opportunities," said Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. "This new initiative is a lifeline, unlocking legal pathways to employment and supporting both refugees and host economies in the process. It is a great example of how wealthier nations can step up and turn solidarity into action."
Funded by the Government of Australia for an initial 22-month period, this initiative aims to build the skills of candidates and match them with suitable international employment opportunities, helping fill labour market gaps and promoting refugee self-reliance. Building on Australia's pledge at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum, the country is taking a leading role in strengthening States' facilitation of employment pathways for refugees.
The initiative also supports greater collaboration between UN agencies in advancing shared objectives. Expanding inclusive and safe migration is a tangible investment in global stability. By facilitating orderly migration, this initiative offers better outcomes for refugees, host communities and States alike, leveraging refugees' skills and employment pathways to create more opportunities for safe, regular migration. Often referred to as "refugee labour mobility" or "complementary labour pathways", this approach helps reduce reliance on irregular and dangerous migration routes.
Despite a growing number of skilled refugees keen to find international employment and well-documented labour shortages in many countries, only a fraction of those have successfully secured jobs abroad. OECD and UNHCR data shows that between 2019 and 2023, around 183,000 skilled refugees from eight nationalities were granted job visas in wealthier countries. While significant, this figure highlights the vast untapped potential if current barriers to refugee labour mobility are addressed.
Launching in the Asia-Pacific, this initiative will provide targeted training to enhance the existing skills of a select group of refugees, addressing common barriers that hinder employers from hiring displaced individuals. The training will be tailored to sectors with medium- to long-term labour shortages, helping refugee talent align with employment needs in Australia and beyond. The ultimate goal is to build a scalable, sustainable model that can be replicated across the Asia-Pacific region and globally.
The model is part of a broader, deepening collaboration between UNHCR and IOM - a partnership that is more critical than ever in a time of record displacement. Among the more than 42 million refugees globally, many possess valuable skills that, when given the opportunity, could unlock safer and more dignified futures.
