Around 43.4 million people worldwide are currently classified as refugees. Many of them are actively seeking employment to rebuild their lives. Yet, they often face significant barriers when trying to find jobs. On the other side of the coin, the aviation and air cargo industries are suffering from a distinct lack of manpower as their ageing staff retire and they compete with perhaps more attractive industries for new talent. Menzies Aviation has seen a potential solution to these two aspects and has launched Allies in Aviation.
Looking for a job is daunting enough in your own language, in your own country. The struggles you face as a refugee seeking employment go well beyond that level of difficulty. Quite aside from possible legal restrictions preventing immediate employment as refugees apply for and await work permits in what can be a very lengthy process, they are usually faced with a whole host of obstacles. These range from language barriers to their qualifications not being recognized, to a lack of social and professional networks in the local field, all the way through to discrimination and bias. Refugees may face prejudice and social stigma, which can result in exclusion from certain jobs. Also, employers may also have concerns about the stability of a refugee’s legal status.
The good news
The good news is that, despite these obstacles, initiatives such as job training, language education, and legal aid are being implemented by various organizations to support refugees in overcoming these challenges. One such promoter of refugee employment support is the Tent Partnership for Refugees, founded in 2016 by Hamdi Ulukaya, CEO and Founder of the multimillion-dollar U.S. food company, Chobani. He sought to mobilize the world’s largest employers to help refugees access local labour markets, and now eleven countries have established their own Tent Networks. Of those, Tent UK counts more than 70 major companies in its network, which are all committed to hiring refugees across the country and supporting them in preparing to apply. One such company is Menzies Aviation which joined Tent in 2022 and has set itself the target of recruiting refugees equivalent to 1% of its global workforce by 2026.
Arise, Allies in Aviation
Menzies Aviation has committed to empowering displaced communities and will be carrying out its ‘Allies in Aviation’ event for the first time this week, over at its London Headquarters. ‘Allies in Aviation’ is an employability training session designed (in partnership with Tent UK) to help individuals from displaced communities find meaningful employment in the aviation sector. Participants in the event will learn how to prepare an effective CV, be given advice and support in applying for roles, and will have the chance to practice interview techniques. “By focusing on practical advice and real-world examples, the event aims to empower individuals to confidently pursue and secure employment in the aviation sector,” the release states.
The first of hopefully many
Juliet Thomson, Chief People Officer, Menzies Aviation, said: “We’re excited to hold the first Allies in Aviation by Menzies Aviation event in London, helping individuals from displaced communities gain the skills and insights needed to pursue meaningful employment and supporting their integration into society in their host country. It forms part of our wider commitment to support the underrepresented, foster diversity and inclusion in the workplace and play an active role in addressing the refugee crisis. We hope that this event will be the first of many, with plans to roll this initiative out to new locations within our global operations later in the year.”
Leadership for better
Jen Stobart, Director for Tent UK, said: “Businesses play a critical role in helping refugees access jobs and overcome the many barriers to employment they face, such as language skills, a lack of professional networks, and transport. The Allies in Aviation event is just one example of how Menzies Aviation is showing leadership and delivering on its commitment to connect refugees to jobs, both within its own workforce and across the sector.”
