The Study and Training Fund will be administered in partnership with the locally based West London Welcome; a DropIn Centre for refugees and migrants. West London Welcome encounters asylum seekers who cannot afford an English or a vocational course, while HF Refugees Welcome identifies refugees with training needs. The Centre's Advisory panel will make decisions on granting awards for English and vocational courses on the basis of needs and suitability.
Why they need our serviceRefugees resettled by the VPRS Scheme are sent to English classes and have the right to work. However they often need a UK accreditation before they can take up paid work. Studying a vocational course and acquiring a qualification is often the only path to employment in their chosen field. The father of one of our families, for example, is hard of hearing and struggles in English classes. We have identified a bricklaying course that can bring him back into his previous profession.
Plan and expected resultsIn a year we will have paid for 10 refugees or asylum seekers to take a study or training course. We aim for half to attain an accreditation or employment qualification.