Refugee Employability Programme (REP) South West
Could you offer employment or volunteering opportunities to refugees based in Bristol, which is a City of Sanctuary?
The Refugee Employability Programme (REP) South West is currently delivered in partnership between the International Rescue Committee (IRC), World Jewish Relief and The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network (TERN). Delivering support to over 580 refugees in the region since October 2023, they work with all refugees and provide support to those who are close to and those who are furthest from the job market. They offer a tailored one to one bespoke service. Each client has a dedicated case manager who they meet with regularly to support them with building skills, integration, and ultimately finding employment.
Utilising World Jewish Relief’s Specialist Training and Employment Programme (STEP) methodology, Employment Advisors provide individualised, one-to-one support to clients, starting with an Education, Training and Employment Assessment. This helps to understand their background and goals, allowing the advisor and client to work together to tailor an action plan that guides them through their short-, medium- and long-term goals to reach the most suitable work for them.
Over the duration of their participation, Employment Advisors support clients with creating and revising CVs, job search skills, interview preparation, qualification conversion and other employment skills. Alongside this, Employment Advisors work with clients to develop their soft skills and build their confidence. Clients also have access to integration support, including the IRC’s Orientation for Newcomers course which supports them to learn more about life in the UK, and access different services, such as registering at the GP, and accessing education, and support with other common issues, such as housing and finances. Clients are also able to access English classes, including some that focus on specific vocational language.
In Work Support
Employment Advisors are there to support clients throughout all steps of the process, from applying for a job and going through the recruitment process, to filling out contracts, starting work, and beyond. This means employers can be assured employees recruited through the Refugee Employability Programme (REP) South West will have an extra layer of support from the team to help resolve issues. In some cases, they collaborate directly with employers to support the placement of clients into available roles. They are able to offer In-Work Support, up until the closure of the programme in June 2025, providing tailored assistance addressing specific needs.
This support is entirely client-led, ensuring that each individual receives the assistance most relevant to their situation. The support offered through IWS varies depending on the client’s needs. Often clients need guidance on workplace matters such as understanding their contract, tax codes, or employer communications. In some cases, they liaise with employers directly, especially when clients face challenges like language barriers in the workplace. For instance, they have worked with language schools to provide industry specific vocabulary lists to help clients adapt. While most clients require minimal support, they ensure that those with higher needs receive more intensive assistance. Typically, once a client enters IWS, they no longer meet with Integration Officers, though exceptions are made for those with significant integration challenges. Ultimately, the IWS service is flexible and responsive, addressing a wide range of issues to help clients settle and progress in their new jobs.
Skill sets and sectors of interest
The Refugee Employability Programme (REP) have compiled these groupings of the key skill-sets and sectors of interest for refugees based in Bristol.
- Admin and project coordination – Charities, councils, schools, and other organisations offering administrative roles.
- Beauty Industry – Tailoring, beauty services – nail salons, hair salons etc.
- Retail and customer service – Shops and supermarkets, starting with volunteering placements to build language skills.
- Warehouse and packing – Entry-level roles in logistics and distribution, with a focus on overcoming language barriers for health and safety compliance.
- Healthcare (Entry-Level and professional) – Including social care and jobs that support with a foot in the door to NHS roles, we also have clients interested in and qualified for Pharmacy and other professional roles. Additionally, we have clients interested in the mental health/counselling sector.
- Hospitality – local restaurants, cafes and hotels, entry level to manager positions.
- Security – Clients have SIA badges, interested in security positions.
- Teaching – Qualified English teachers looking for roles in schools.
- Construction/Engineering – Labourer and engineer roles, including civil engineering
- Driving – bus driving, HGV driving, taxi driving opportunities.
- Volunteering – clients are also open to volunteering at local charity shops, or any other potential opportunities
