DUAL ONLINE CENTER
Bank of Good Practices in Social Inclusion through WBL
You’re not a refugee, you’re a refugee… (Não se é refugiado/a, está-se refugiado/a…)
Overview
1. The program was created to address the social and professional exclusion faced by young refugees in Portugal. It tackles the challenge of integrating refugees into the labor market by providing them with opportunities for employment and personal development, combating marginalization and social inequality.
2. The initiative supports young refugees residing in Portugal, especially those seeking to enter the workforce and build sustainable careers. It benefits this vulnerable group by offering them access to work experience and a supportive environment.
3. The program aims to promote active inclusion by integrating young refugees into the workforce, enabling their professional growth and social empowerment. It encourages diversity by embracing people from different backgrounds and abilities, fostering equity through tailored support and training. By doing so, it enhances employability and promotes equal opportunities within the workplace.
4. The initiative takes place in Portugal, implemented primarily within El Corte Inglés stores and operations, contributing to local social inclusion efforts.
2. The initiative supports young refugees residing in Portugal, especially those seeking to enter the workforce and build sustainable careers. It benefits this vulnerable group by offering them access to work experience and a supportive environment.
3. The program aims to promote active inclusion by integrating young refugees into the workforce, enabling their professional growth and social empowerment. It encourages diversity by embracing people from different backgrounds and abilities, fostering equity through tailored support and training. By doing so, it enhances employability and promotes equal opportunities within the workplace.
4. The initiative takes place in Portugal, implemented primarily within El Corte Inglés stores and operations, contributing to local social inclusion efforts.
Objectives
1. The main goal of this best practice is to facilitate the social and professional inclusion of young refugees by providing them with meaningful employment opportunities and work-based learning experiences. It aims to empower refugees through skill development and integration into the labor market, promoting their long-term employability and social inclusion.
2. The program specifically targets young refugees—an underrepresented and vulnerable group—offering them structured internships and employment within El Corte Inglés. By creating tailored pathways and a supportive work environment, it opens access to practical training, mentorship, and hands-on experience that these individuals might otherwise struggle to obtain.
3. The initiative reduces barriers by addressing challenges such as lack of social networks, language difficulties, and limited prior work experience. It provides a safe and inclusive environment that fosters learning and integration, alongside personalized support. Collaboration with partner organizations helps to bridge gaps and ensure refugees receive the necessary guidance to succeed in apprenticeships and vocational training programs.
2. The program specifically targets young refugees—an underrepresented and vulnerable group—offering them structured internships and employment within El Corte Inglés. By creating tailored pathways and a supportive work environment, it opens access to practical training, mentorship, and hands-on experience that these individuals might otherwise struggle to obtain.
3. The initiative reduces barriers by addressing challenges such as lack of social networks, language difficulties, and limited prior work experience. It provides a safe and inclusive environment that fosters learning and integration, alongside personalized support. Collaboration with partner organizations helps to bridge gaps and ensure refugees receive the necessary guidance to succeed in apprenticeships and vocational training programs.
Implementation
Key Actions Taken:
1. Formal Collaboration and Protocol Establishment:
A formal collaboration agreement was signed with Positive Benefits, setting the foundation for refugee inclusion, clarifying roles, and defining shared goals around social inclusion and workforce integration.
2. Recruitment and Selection:
The program began with the recruitment of young refugees, prioritizing those with limited access to traditional employment channels. The selection process was designed to be inclusive and supportive, addressing barriers such as language and lack of experience.
3. Work-Based Learning Placements:
Selected refugees were integrated into El Corte Inglés teams, receiving tailored on-the-job training, mentoring, and professional development opportunities. This hands-on approach provided refugees with practical skills and workplace socialization.
4. Supportive Work Environment:
El Corte Inglés ensured a safe, respectful, and diverse work environment that embraced cultural differences and promoted equity. Continuous support was provided to help refugees overcome challenges and succeed.
5. Alignment with Global Goals:
The initiative aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly focusing on decent work, reduced inequalities, and partnerships for development, embedding social responsibility into business practices.
6. Monitoring and Expansion:
Following a successful initial phase, the program expanded, with ongoing monitoring to improve inclusion strategies and maximize impact.
1. Formal Collaboration and Protocol Establishment:
A formal collaboration agreement was signed with Positive Benefits, setting the foundation for refugee inclusion, clarifying roles, and defining shared goals around social inclusion and workforce integration.
2. Recruitment and Selection:
The program began with the recruitment of young refugees, prioritizing those with limited access to traditional employment channels. The selection process was designed to be inclusive and supportive, addressing barriers such as language and lack of experience.
3. Work-Based Learning Placements:
Selected refugees were integrated into El Corte Inglés teams, receiving tailored on-the-job training, mentoring, and professional development opportunities. This hands-on approach provided refugees with practical skills and workplace socialization.
4. Supportive Work Environment:
El Corte Inglés ensured a safe, respectful, and diverse work environment that embraced cultural differences and promoted equity. Continuous support was provided to help refugees overcome challenges and succeed.
5. Alignment with Global Goals:
The initiative aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly focusing on decent work, reduced inequalities, and partnerships for development, embedding social responsibility into business practices.
6. Monitoring and Expansion:
Following a successful initial phase, the program expanded, with ongoing monitoring to improve inclusion strategies and maximize impact.
Innovative features
Mentoring programs for marginalized groups, Specialized training tailored to different learner needs, Offers flexible learning options for different needs, Includes mentorship and support networks
Success stories
One notable success story involves a young refugee who, after joining El Corte Inglés through the program, received tailored training and mentorship that enabled him to develop valuable retail skills. Over the course of his internship, he gained confidence, improved his language abilities, and was offered a permanent position. This personal transformation highlights the program’s impact on empowering refugees to rebuild their lives through meaningful employment.
Measured outcomes
While detailed public statistics are limited, the program initially aimed to integrate eight young refugees into the workforce, with ongoing expansion planned due to positive results. Employment and retention rates among participants have improved, alongside enhanced professional skills and increased social inclusion. The initiative has also earned recognition such as the “Marca Entidade Empregadora Inclusiva de Excelência” from the Portuguese IEFP, reflecting its success in promoting inclusive hiring.
Challenges and lessons learned
Key challenges included overcoming language barriers, limited prior work experience, and social integration difficulties faced by refugees. These obstacles were addressed by providing personalized mentoring, creating a supportive and culturally sensitive work environment, and collaborating closely with NGOs like Positive Benefits to offer holistic support. Lessons learned emphasize the importance of patience, flexibility, and sustained partnership to ensure successful inclusion and integration.
- CountryPortugal
- SectorRetail, trade and e-commerce
- Target groupMigrants, refugees and asylum seekers
Leading organisation
El Corte Inglés
Date
2022, ongoing
Key stakeholders
• Employers and business networks: El Corte Inglés.
• NGOs and Social Organizations: Associação Positive Benefits – Impact Innovation.
• Government Agencies and Policymakers: The initiative is recognized and supported by Portuguese entities such as the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP), which awards El Corte Inglés with the "Marca Entidade Empregadora Inclusiva de Excelência" seal, highlighting its commitment to inclusion.
• VET Providers and Training Centers: While not explicitly stated as direct providers, the program likely involves partnerships with vocational education or training entities through Positive Benefits and IEFP to support skill development and training.
• NGOs and Social Organizations: Associação Positive Benefits – Impact Innovation.
• Government Agencies and Policymakers: The initiative is recognized and supported by Portuguese entities such as the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP), which awards El Corte Inglés with the "Marca Entidade Empregadora Inclusiva de Excelência" seal, highlighting its commitment to inclusion.
• VET Providers and Training Centers: While not explicitly stated as direct providers, the program likely involves partnerships with vocational education or training entities through Positive Benefits and IEFP to support skill development and training.
Number of beneficiaries
Since the start of the programme, 59 young people have taken part in the Job Tour phase, 14 in internships and 12 in open-ended contracts.
