Migrants say work experience not valued here

MIGRANTS FEEL their years of study and work in their countries of origin are "meaningless" in Ireland, new research has found.

The report said the majority of migrants are employed in occupations for which they are over-qualified.

The research for Migrants and Higher Education in Ireland was conducted by academic staff from eight third-level institutions. The group was chaired by Dr John Pender of Sligo Institute of Technology.

"Lots of migrants have difficulty having their previous achievements actually recognised here," he said. "Considerable numbers of migrant workers who arrived here in the last decade are engaged in jobs below their academic attainment. There is a frightening degree of consensus that there is a big problem here."

A total of 160 migrants from 21 countries participated in the study, along with access and admissions officers in third-level colleges and employer bodies.

Dr Pender said it was worrying that many migrants said they faced obstacles when trying to gain access to higher education opportunities.

"Denying access to education and employment allows for the marginalisation and isolation of migrants, and has serious implications for both migrant and receiving societies.

"Third-level education is a powerful and life-changing instrument in the process of social integration. If they are to achieve the desired levels of integration, it is clear that they should be afforded the same access to education, employment and enterprise as Irish citizens."

The barriers identified by the migrants questioned included fees; lack of recognition of their existing qualifications; English language difficulties; and lack of access to information on courses and fee structures.

Dr Pender said the report highlighted the importance of education in the integration and social inclusion of migrants in Ireland.

"A large number of participants believed that education is a key step in their integration process," he said.

He said the role of third-level education, training, and learning new skills was identified by interviewees as essential to combating racism and developing a more integrated society.

Dr Pender said he hoped the report's findings would inform national policy and help educational institutions address migrants' needs more effectively.

The report was edited by Dr Eileen Hogan of University College Cork and Margaret Linehan of Carlow Institute of Technology.

In addition to educational barriers, obstacles to employment and integration into Irish society were also discussed by focus group participants.

Similar issues were identified by interviewees across all regions in Ireland, with no significant differences cited between rural and urban areas.