Language training and well-being for qualified migrants in Sweden

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMHSC-11-2014-0043
• Pages: 220-233
• Date: 12 June 2017
• Published date: 12 June 2017
• Author: Lika Rodin,Andre Rodin,Susanne Brunke
• Subject Matter: Health & social care,Vulnerable groups,Inequalities & diverse/minority groups,Sociology,Race & ethnic studies,Minorities,Multiculturalism,Racial identity,Work, economy & organizations,Labour movements

Language training and well-being for

qualified migrants in Sweden

Lika Rodin, Andre Rodin and Susanne Brunke

Abstract

Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of “Korta Vägen”(The short cut), a targeted

language program for qualified migrants in Sweden, in self-maintaining, well-being and perspectives for

socio-economic integration for foreigners with academic diploma.

Design/methodology/approach –In-classobservations, individualsemi-structured interviews, focus-group

interviewsand writtenessays were used fordata collection.A thematic analysiswas applied as a methodof data

analysis. Amartya Sen’s capability approachconstituted a theoreticalframework of the research discussion.

Findings –Korta Vägen provides various resources for the participants, some of which (language training

and internship) can become real advantages for employment. Others (IT, interview training and CV writing) are

less translatable into concrete outcomes. The study suggests that satisfaction with the program is modulated

by commitment to one’s professional identity, initial language proficiency, scope of cultural knowledge, the

participants’goals and the flexibility of the training offered. The acculturation frame of the program does not

necessarily correspond with the objective need of many participants for quick entry into the labor market.

Originality/value –Insights into the social-psychological aspects of targeted language training as a measure for

socio-economic integration can serve to enhance educational and institutional policies and professional practice.

Keywords Capability approach, Well-being, Professional identity, Qualified migrants,

Targeted language training

Paper type Research paper

Background

Approximately 16 percent of the Swedish population were born in a foreign country (Statistics

Sweden, 2014, p. 5). One-third of non-EU migrants in the Swedish workforce have a university

education and a significant level of experience in a relevant profession in their home countries

(Nählinder, 2008, p. 5). Statistics, however, show that unemployment among migrants with

academic degree is about five times higher than for Sweden-born qualified workers. “Generally, more

than four years pass before a university-educated migrant from outside Europe finds a relevant

position in Sweden”with: For every other university educated migrant, who come to Sweden as

refugee, it will take more than four years before a relevant position are found (Jusek, 2011, p. 5). Most

of non-EU migrants enter the labor market via low-qualified jobs (Rooth and Ekberg, 2006). Two

approaches are often used to explain why unemployment is higher among immigrants. One

pinpoints shortcomings with the immigrants, where factors such as scarcity in social capital and

relevant professional experience, as well as difficulties in proving their merits, are analyzed (Hjerm and

Schierup, 2007). Since refugee migrants sometimes lack full documentation, they may also have

difficulties to authenticate or prove their academic and professional merits. The other approach

discuss shortcomings at the employers side, whereby institutionalized suppositions about other

nationalities and their abilities to adjust to the work-place culture may also influence employers

interpretation of their productive qualifications, and hereby function as a discriminatory force in job

recruitment (Neergaard, 2006, p. 224ff). In this way, culture-specific demands within the labor market

may come to mediate immigrant’s perspectives for economic integration.

Well-being of newcomers is yet another problem field that has been attracting attention of migration

researchers in recent years (see Dimitrova et al., 2014). Thus, migrant’shealthstatushasbeenput

Received 3 November 2014

Revised 16 March 2015

30 December 2015

Accepted 13 May 2016

The authors are grateful for help

and assistance from teachers at

Korta Vägen and to all participants

who contributed to this research.

Lika Rodin is based at the

Department of Health and

Learning, University of Skövde,

Skövde, Sweden.

Andre Rodin is based at the

Department of Social Work,

University of Gothenburg,

Gothenburg, Sweden.

Susanne Brunke is a Teacher at

the Komvux Adult Education,

Gothenburg, Sweden.

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VOL. 13 NO. 2 2017, pp.220-233, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1747-9894 DOI 10.1108/IJMHSC-11-2014-0043