UNHCR And IOM launch “Train-to-Hire” Initiative, Enabled by Australia, to Scale Refugee Employment
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Institutions: Ministry of External Affairs; Ministry of Labour & Employment
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have introduced the “Train-to-Hire” programme to enhance refugee inclusion in international labour markets. Funded by Australia for an initial 22-month period, the initiative offers tailored training to refugees in the Asia-Pacific region, helping to bridge skills gaps and align refugee competencies with labour shortages in sectors such as healthcare and technical trades.
IOM Director General Amy Pope emphasised that “skills matter more than status,” framing the initiative as a practical means to connect refugee potential with employment opportunities. UN High Commissioner Filippo Grandi called the initiative a lifeline, enabling legal pathways to work and benefiting both refugees and host economies.
Built on the principles of refugee labour mobility, the programme helps reduce reliance on dangerous migration routes while addressing global displacement challenges. It begins with prioritised support in the Asia-Pacific and is intended as a scalable model for global replication, aiming to turn solidarity into concrete outcomes for displaced populations and labour markets.
Relevant question for policy stakeholders: How can India adopt a similar train-to-hire framework to support refugee or vulnerable migrant segments - integrating targeted training, legal employment pathways, and scalable institutional mechanisms?
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