A new memorandum of understanding was signed between Italian ministries, UNHCR and partner organisations to implement labour corridors for refugees, a new legal pathway allowing qualified refugees to enter Italy for employment under Law No 50/2023.
The initiative enables the selection, training and hiring of refugees currently residing in Colombia, Egypt, Uganda and Jordan in the airport services, IT, shipbuilding and goldsmithing sectors.
A total of 70 refugees are involved in the initial phase, with plans to expand into other sectors and countries. The current labour corridors for refugees projects include:
1. ReadyForIT Labor Pathways for Refugees
A professional training program in the Information Technology sector, designed by Fondazione Italiana Accenture ETS and led by UNHCR in collaboration with the foundation itself, Talent Beyond Boundaries, Pathways International, Diaconia Valdese, the International Trade Centre (a UN technical agency), and the Unione Industriali di Torino. The program targets 25 refugees currently residing in Uganda. Upon successful completion of the final assessment, participants will be employed by companies such as Accenture, Aubay, DedaGroup, RealeITES, OverIT, Btinkeeng, and Valuetech.
2. Navigating the Future: Talent Discovery and Training in International Shipbuilding
This project focuses on the shipbuilding sector and was developed by Orienta, Talent Beyond Boundaries, the Don Bosco Salesian Institute in Cairo (Egypt), UNHCR, and other local partners. It targets 240 individuals, including both refugees and Egyptian nationals, offering skills training and employment opportunities.
3. Goldsmith for Italy Labor Pathways for Refugees
This project focuses on the goldsmithing sector and will involve 10 refugees currently in Jordan who will be hired by Mattioli Spa. The program is led by the training agency EG Ghirardi and promoted by UNHCR, Diaconia Valdese, Talent Beyond Boundaries, the Unione Industriali di Torino, Pathways International, the NGO Turquoise Mountain, and Reale Foundation.
4. Wings for a New Future A program providing training and job placement for 40 refugees residing in Colombia.
These individuals will arrive in Italy by the end of 2025 and be employed in the airport services sector in Rome by Avia Partners S.p.A. The program is promoted by UNHCR, the Unione Industriali di Torino, Skillab, Diaconia Valdese, Pathways International, and Talent Beyond Boundaries.