Ethnic Minorities

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Ethnic Minorities Employment The Challenges
for the South LondonSomali CommunityBy
Harrylynne ColemanDiversity Manager, Jobcentre
Plus South London District

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Background

• The Somali Community forms one of the largest BME
  
• communities in South London, many of them are
  refugees and
• asylum seekers. The community is made up of
  approximately
• 3,000 residents in Bromley and 1,000 residents in
  Merton.
• As a community they are apprehensive to engage
  with
• Jobcentre Plus as an organisation. 84 of the
  community are
• currently on Welfare Benefits and many of them
  women who
• are lone parents.

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Rationale

• Britain today has 56 million people, speaking
  over 300
• languages and practicing at least 14 different
  faiths.
• It can be described as a richly diverse society.
• While it has been recognised that diversity has
  brought
• economic benefits, the change and migration has
  also created
• challenges.

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Customer Survey

• A Customer survey was produced and distributed to
  
• members of the Somali community for completion.
• This was conducted in December 2007 over a
  two-week
• period. Results were evaluated to decide next
  steps.
• The survey highlighted that, although on welfare
  Benefits the
• Somali community seldom engage with Jobcentre
  Plus and
• few are aware that there are specialist Advisers
  in Jobcentre
• Plus offices who are trained to work with lone
  parents and
• people who have disabilities.

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3 Key Challenges facing the Somali Community

• Literacy and numeracy
• English as a Second Language
• Integrating with the local community

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Training Needs

• CV writing
• Interview techniques
• Confidence building
• ESOL
• Skills Training
• Pre-employment training/Work Trials

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Employer vacancies that would suit their needs

• Administration / Office Work
• Security / Body Guard
• Childcare / Carer
• Customer Services
• Nursing
• Retail

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Main issues

• Racial inequality
• Religious hatred
• Social exclusion
• Housing
• unemployment

• Suitable Childcare
• Lack of education
• Drugs (Khat)

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Possible Solutions

• Community Cohesion
• Somali people need to have a common vision and
  feel a sense of belonging in the communities in
  which they live.
• The diversity of their different backgrounds and
  circumstances need to be appreciated and
  positively valued.
• They are given similar life opportunities.
• Strong and positive relationships are developed
  in the workplace, in schools and within
  neighbourhoods.

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As sections of society break away from the
mainstream one thing is clear doing nothing is
not an option!
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Key Stakeholders Involved
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Any Questions?

• For further information please contact
• Harrylynne Coleman
• Diversity Manager
• Jobcentre Plus
• South London District
• Tel[phone]