Refugee Employment

Our Specialist Training and Employment Programme (STEP) has been delivered with a range of partners across England to provide in person bespoke one-to-one employment support to refugees.

In 2016 we launched STEP, providing personalised support for refugees in the UK, enabling them to enter sustainable and meaningful employment. The programme is adapted to each individual’s needs and helps refugees gain language skills, qualifications and training. Our employment advisors provide one-to-one assistance in CV writing, interview skills, finding work or setting up a business. We are the largest provider of refugee employment in the UK.

STEP graduates have found work in a range of sectors including engineering, retail, education, hair and beauty, pharmacy and construction. Since January 2024, we have continued to deliver STEP. We are working across the UK, through knowledgeable and experienced partners, including six local authorities, five local NGOs and two activity partners across England in 34 locations.

Improving Employment Outcomes

72%

women on STEP Forward reported improved wellbeing

40%

STEP participants now in employment

11,500

Refugees in the UK received employment support

Yanal’s Story

Losing her husband and fleeing war in Syria, Yanal had nothing when she arrived in Coventry with her four children. Learn how participating in our STEP programme gave her the skills she needed to find employment and settle into life in the UK.

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STEP is delivered in partnership with different organisations across the UK. We work closely with employers and together have helped refugees secure jobs at IKEA, Bella Italia, Café Rouge, Chiquitos, Costco, Coventry City Council, Leeds City Council, Lloyds Pharmacy, Marks and Spencer, Tesco, Timpson, TK Maxx, Waitrose and more.

Are you a refugee looking for employment and language support?

If you’re looking for help finding employment in the UK, have a look at our STEP handbook, with all the resources you’ll need to get you started.

Resources for Refugees

STEP stories

Tetiana

Tetiana is from the now devastated Ukrainian city of Mariupol. When Russian troops invaded, she fled the country. She had no plan, but knew she had to leave. This is her story.

Shukria

Shukria came to the UK in 2021, fleeing the Taliban. Now she plans to go to university and has ambitious dreams for her future.

Naikmal

When the Taliban took control of Kabul in August 2021 Naikmal, the CEO of a women’s reproductive health NGO, was forced to flee. Arriving in Bradford with nothing, he enrolled on STEP.