Labour market preparation for spouses

This practice aims to establish additional services and more systematic assistance for better integration of the spouses of international researchers for medium or long-term stay.

• Especially in countries with a permanent shortage of skilled workforce, the spouses can benefit from interesting job offers.


• The international experience and background of the spouses can be highly ranked even for temporary job positions.


• Active networking with key stakeholders in the labor market can contribute to better services.

An integral part of the preparation of the accompanying spouses for the local labour market are local language courses or foreign language courses, in general as well as voluntary activities that could help expecially at the beginning of stay.

Goals

Improved access to information Improved procedure/efficiency Social integration

Basic information

Practice setup

To prepare for this practice the IRO/Welcome staff members should:

Phase 1 

• get familiar with the national labor legislation and regulations (who need/does not need a work permit, special types of professions with specific regulations (e.g. nurses, medical doctors, etc.), or highly desired professions with possible favorable employment conditions (e.g., IT specialists). In this regard, it is recommended to consult labor market managers/lawyers about the legal regulations concerning the employment of internationals. 


• Identify key stakeholders in the local labor market.


• Approach the most important stakeholders, i.e. National Employment Agency, etc. for collaboration


• Map and analyse specific reports on and sectoral analysis of the local labour market dynamics.

Phase 2

• Design a programme offering guidance through the preparation for a local labour market


• Structure the information materials including a list of required documents.


• Set the rules for participation in the programme 


• The programme can consist of a series of sessions on:
  
  
  
  • Introduction to the national labour market/ international companies/organisation in the city/region
  
  
  • Personal branding
  
  
  • Resume and writing
  
  
  • Elevator Speech
  
  
  • Building LinkedIn profile
  
  
  • Job interview and Mock interview (with a volunteer)
  
  
  • Networking
  
  
  
  

Besides a dedicated programme HEI or several HEIs can provide customized career consultations, advice, and guidance in orientating on target group member's professional future and help in building a network;

An integral part of the preparation of the accompanying spouses for the local labour market are local language courses or foreign language courses, in general. Here, it would be very useful if receiving HEIs could offer courses for free or relevant discounts. Moreover, the local language courses are instrumental in regard to social integration and networking.

Challenges/factors to consider: Depending on available capacities, labour market preparation for spouses or even more comprehensive dual-career services may be primarily offered to partners of newly-appointed managerial staff in higher-level positions in the central administration of our member organisations, as well as junior group leaders in non-university research establishments and promoted as one of the benefits for experienced international academics to pursue their career at the HEIs or research organization in the region. Also, to reach a critical mass and save resources, it would be very helpful if several HEIs in the region (or other relevant actors) could join their forces and create a network providing services for international staff spouses as shown in the Dual Career Network Styria and Carinthia, Austria.

Cost of practice setup
Time required for practice setup
Personnel effort required for practice setup
Partners involved in practice setup	Job platform International recruiter Employer (with high demand of international staff) Local expat centre
Indicators for evaluating progress/quality of practice setup	Training plan and programme designed

@ Other HEIs in city/region can join forces and appoint extra human resources for providing customised career consultation as well as relevant discounts for local language courses to accompanying spouses.

@ Employer with high demand for the international workforce - representatives of such employers can be invited to the career events organised by HEI (s)

@ Local ex-pat centre often offers local language courses for free/discount and organises various lectures and social events

Practice delivery

 IRO/Welcome center officer can provide:

• Consultation and materials about the legal procedures concerning the employment of foreigners - a list of documents and requirements.


• Promote a designed programme for labour market preparation for spouses.


• Consultation and recommendations about relevant external partners.


• Examination of the relevant labour market on the basis of specific job positions


• Satisfaction analysis - collecting feedback and recommendations.

Cost of practice delivery
Time required for practice delivery
Personnel effort required for practice delivery
Actors involved in practice delivery	IRO/welcome centre
Partners involved in practice delivery	Job platform International recruiter Employer (with high demand of international staff) Employers association Career advisor Local expat centre
Indicators for evaluating progress/quality of practice delivery	Number of family members assisted

@ Other HEIs in city/region can join forces and appoint extra human resources for providing customised career consultation as well as relevant discounts for local language courses to accompanying spouses.

@ Career Advisor -  can be outsourced by a HEI (s) 

@ Employer with high demand for the international workforce - representatives of such employers can be invited to the career events organised by HEI (s)

@ Local ex-pat centre often offers local language courses for free/discount and organises various lectures and social events