In a move to strengthen refugee access to international labor markets, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) have launched a "train-to-hire" programme for displaced individuals in the Asia-Pacific region.

The UN agencies announced the initiative in a July 21 press release.

"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."

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'Urgently need scalable solutions'

"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."

The initiative is funded by the Australian government for an initial 22-month period.

It aims to "build the skills of candidates and match them with suitable international employment opportunities", and also supports greater collaboration between UN agencies in advancing shared objectives, the press note added.

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'Only a fraction of skilled refugees find employment'

Despite a growing number of skilled refugees keen to find international employment and well-documented labor shortages in many countries, only a fraction of those have successfully secured jobs abroad, the UN bodies stated.

"OECD and UNHCR data show 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," they added.

The new initiative in the Asia-Pacific region aims to change that. It will provide targeted training to enhance the existing skills of selected refugees, tackling common obstacles that often discourage employers from hiring displaced individuals.

The training will reportedly be tailored to sectors facing medium- to long-term labor shortages, helping refugee talent align with employment needs in Australia and beyond.

"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, the UN bodies noted.

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