New Migrant Worker Project (Highlands & Islands)
Marta Chaba UNISON Learning & Organising Migrant Workers Fieldworker
has joined the Inverness Resource Centre Team.
She will work in Highlands & Islands in order to identify and
address training needs of migrant workers across a range of
sectors in the area.
Marta is a Polish national and over the last few years she
has worked as a Social Worker at the Highland Council and also
as a Migrant Worker Project Officer at the Citizens Advice Bureau.
"My personal and professional experience proves that migrant
workers are often in a disadvantaged position because of limited
language skills and lack of training. As a result of this they
lack confidence and need additional support to settle down in
the country. Skills gained through Lifelong Learning would help
them to integrate with the local community and become more confident.
"I noticed that this group has limited knowledge of available
learning opportunities. Migrant workers are spending most of
their time at work and they will often be interested in what
is available there and will often engage with trade unions.
At this stage trade union may be the key agency for informing
newcomers about the opportunities of further development."
The number of overseas nationals registered as working in the
HIE area has doubled in the last two years. The project worker
will help to identify and quantify demand and then begin to
organise courses and provide assistance.
The project worker will furthermore develop a trade union model
of good practice for successful social integration of migrant
workers in the workplace. Marta Chaba invites to contact her
directly by emails m.chaba@unison.co.uk
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