Supporting under or unemployed highly skilled migrants to set up in business
'Migrapreneurs' is a Key Action 2 Strategic Partnership project in Vocational education and training (VET). The project aims to support under or unemployed highly skilled migrants in setting up in business, as migrant workers are more likely to experience over-qualification, where their level of education is higher than the job they are doing. Administrative work, access to finance, lack of information and cultural constraints may be a barrier for immigrants to set up their business.
The project aim is to promote entrepreneurship and improve migrants’ chances of starting a business or finding employment that matches their skills and experience by providing them with the necessary skills and knowledge. The project will also allow participants to connect with both professionals and fellow immigrants via a networking platform. It aims to help the participants to develop their skills in using online marketing tools, fostering entrepreneurial growth across the continent through e-commerce activities. These learning resources will be available online on the dedicated hub and will be complemented by workshops tailored to learners’ needs.
I am confident this project will prove powerful in helping members of our migrant communities to develop and grow their own businesses, thereby enhancing their opportunities - John Kawalek, University of Sheffield
Outputs
They will develop the training “Entrepreneurial Journey for Highly Skilled Migrants” that will be tested to ensure that it is both theoretically and practically relevant to the target group. A guide "Transferring Your Skills into Self-employment – A Guide for Highly Skilled Migrants” will also be designed to help start-ups identify issues they might face. The 'Migrapreneurs' project also aims at developing a guide for policymakers into how to develop entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial mindsets when working with highly skilled migrants – this guide will also be available on the Learning Hub and website. These guides will be learning resources that can be used in any country. Partners will work together in transnational project meetings to be held in Sheffield (UK), Paris (France), Madrid (Spain) and Ankara (Turkey).
This learning approach is action orientated so the participants recognise the concrete steps and actions to be taken to ensure business growth. It is also based on peer learning and encourages participants to connect outside of the training programme and to network with other European learners and professionals. The development of a networking platform will contribute to a more cohesive society and lead to more active participation in the community.
Previous experience
The University of Sheffield previously ran a Lifelong Learning Programme, 'Knowledge Alliance project called the European Business Growth Catalyst'. This project has influenced their Erasmus+ projects including 'Migrapreneurs', as it allowed them to test the methodology being used. The EBGC project worked with established companies to help them develop and implement growth strategies. The pilots provided them with feedback from users and further follow up work, six months on, has shown that the methodology has had a real impact on their businesses. In the 'Migrapreneurs' project, they will be using these methods and findings to support a new group, adapting the materials to fit migrants who are looking to grow businesses in their new country.
We have been developing and implementing business growth programmes in the UK and across Europe. We recognise the latent talent in the groups we work with and are very keen to apply the same principles to migrant communities - John Kawalek, University of Sheffield
Results and impacts
The overall objective of this project will be to better utilise the skills that highly skilled migrants bring into partner countries by fostering an entrepreneurial/intrapreneurial mindset for migrants. Integration of migrants into society is a challenge that needs to be addressed; this will be done by increasing entrepreneurship amongst migrants or by increasing their employment in skills-matched areas by providing them with necessary skills and knowledge. As a result of the 'Migrapreneurs' project, The University of Sheffield aim to see more start-ups grow and be innovative especially with a future outlook to expanding to a European level due to them being led by highly skilled migrants.
The major impact for The Management School is that they will be able to expand their networks locally, developing their work with individuals in the community and having an impact on the development of local businesses and the integration of migrants in the area.
The projects are a great way to make links across Europe to share best practice and we look forward to working with and learning from our partner organisations - Carolyn Usher
Social Impact
Migrapreneurs aims to provide potential start-ups set up by highly skilled migrants with top-quality business training to succeed, which will have a significant impact on local and regional communities by fostering business growth and supporting local economies in areas where migrants are living, which are often more deprived. The project will benefit local communities by raising awareness of entrepreneurship opportunities and motivating individuals to consider setting up their own business, rather than relying on employment which can be difficult to find.
One of the migrants who has taken part in our research here in the UK holds a Phd in Syria but has been told she will find it difficult, if not impossible to gain work in her field at that level here in Sheffield. She is therefore looking at starting up a business to give her work which matches her skills - Carolyn Usher
The research and analysis phase of the project is also anticipated to have a strong impact on both local, regional and national levels, as it will enable people in the target group to voice their opinions on current gaps in training, advice, learning provision and raise awareness of the needs of highly skilled migrants in training areas linked to employability and entrepreneurship across the partner countries. In particular, the work will raise awareness about the mis-match between jobs and the skills and education levels of migrants and highlight the contribution that migrants can make in society.
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