Refugee Integrated Employment Service –
A4e delivers the Refugee Integration and Employment Service (RIES) as a sub-contractor to the Scottish Refugee Council (SRC) across Scotland. RIES is commissioned by the UK Border Agency at the Home Office, and aims to support people recently granted refugee status or humanitarian protection to integrate in society and access employment opportunities. This is a highly innovative service, the first of its kind to support new refugees across all UK regions. A4e delivers the employment advice service, drawing on 20 years of experience during which it has helped over 1 million people into sustainable employment.
RIES is an excellent example of A4e’s ability to work with customers who have multiple barriers and help support them to over come trauma in their lives and move into sustainable employment. A4e currently support over 500 refugees from 35 countries around the world with up to 12 months employability / after care support. All have significant barriers to include: Lack of English 47% of the case load are non English speaking; 53% only have basic English skills, 60% suffer homelessness/housing issues, 90% have health issues, lack of childcare, and professional qualifications that are not recognised here in the UK.

A4e work with SRC to support refugees via the RIES programme to ensure their transition to becoming a UK resident is as positive as possible. Despite the complex needs of refugees, A4e’s dedicated team in Glasgow rise to the challenge and continue to make a difference to the quality of each of their lives.

Quotes from Service Users

1. The RIES Project has been very good for me. I now go to college and A4e gave me really good advice on jobs and how to gain correct qualifications for jobs. Everyone at the A4e is very friendly. I like coming to the A4e office very much and my advisor is very special for me. Saadi, IRAQ

2. In the beginning I had serious housing and health issues but since joining the RIES Project everything is now okay. I really enjoy my ESOL classes at the A4e office and would like to thank the staff for all their help. Yousef, Eritrea

3. Since joining the RIES Project I am very pleased with the help I have been receiving from the A4e staff. They are very friendly and professional and I am getting all the help I need towards my ambition to do nursing. Patrick Zimbabwe