Asked by: Lord Sheikh (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to integrate Afghan refugees who have arrived in the UK into the UK labour market at a level which is equivalent to their qualifications.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises the challenges and upheaval Afghan refugees have faced, and significant work is underway across the whole of Government to support them in rebuilding their lives in the UK.
For qualified Afghan professionals arriving in the UK, we are taking targeted steps to assist them in utilising their skills and experience to participate in the labour market, including to pursue employment in their professions in the UK while upholding UK professional standards.
As part of the cross-government initiative, they can access tailored support to help them address any qualification equivalence barriers through Jobcentre Plus work coaches and the UK Centre for Professional Qualifications (https://cpq.ecctis.com/). The UKCPQ, specifically, is a service that provides guidance and advice to overseas-qualified professionals to get their qualifications recognised in the UK.