Education International Research
However, as it required a high level of Swedish, the programme was deemed insufficient to enable refugee teachers to access the workforce, prompting the subsequent development of the Snabbspår fast-track initiative. Snabbspår is a tripartite solution developed between the Public Employment Service, education unions and government municipalities to respond to jointly identified obstacles that complicate or delay refugee teachers’ entry into the workforce. Through Snabbspår, 126 new arrivals who are already trained as teachers can gain entry into the profession. New arrivals are provided with support (including financial support) to obtain certification, work experience, language training and tailor-made complementary training and education, enabling them to integrate into the Swedish teaching workforce. Professions covered by the fast-track process include university and college lecturers, other university and college teachers, teachers of vocational subjects, secondary school teachers, primary school teachers, preschool teachers and special education teachers. Fast-tracking refugee teachers into the workplace How it works (government description of Snabbspår): •
First, we review your past experience together with you.
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We can help you to translate degrees and certificates and send them to the right authorities for assessment.
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We assess whether the fast track is suitable for you.
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We help you find a fast track and activities that suit you.
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Your competencies are formally recognised and you complement these with the parts you lack.
Source: https://arbetsformedlingen.se/other-languages/english-engelska/stod-och-ersattning/stod-a-o/snabbspar
Training is provided over 26 weeks at one of six Swedish universities. Everyone participating in the fast track initiative receives a financial allowance. The course covers a variety of priority areas including the history of the Swedish school system, Swedish values, and pedagogical leadership. Lectures and course material are available in both Arabic and Swedish, aiding understanding whilst also supporting participants to develop their command of the Swedish language. The course includes a workplace placement during which participants are mentored by Swedish teachers (who, according to Lärarförbundet, appreciate being involved and enjoy learning from the mentoring experience).
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Participants who have completed Snabbspår and have an adequate level of Swedish are able to continue their training through the ULV programme, but this transition is not without its challenges. Teachers note that some participants of Snabbspår have to wait up to a year before gaining a place on the ULV course due to a disconnect between the Snabbspår, which is organised by the municipality, and ULV, which is organised by the national government. Furthermore, once in the classroom, communication between refugee teachers and students can sometimes be strained due to pronunciation difficulties.
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Nonetheless, a review of the Snabbspår programme conducted in June 2018127 by the Swedish Public Employment Service shows the success of the programme. Although the fast–track initiative encompasses numerous different professions, teaching is the profession with the highest number of participants. Between 2016 and 2018, 1,304 people participated in the programme. Of these participants, 62% were women and 38% were men.128 The initiative is considered to be particularly successful in the teaching profession compared to other professional sectors, perhaps partly 126 For more information, see: https://arbetsformedlingen.se/other-languages/english-engelska/stod-och-ersattning/stod-a-o/snabbspar 127 https://www.arbetsformedlingen.se/download/18.62e81508163a1ec9d4ec1e0e/1528460978051/lagesbedomning-av-snabbsparsarbetetjuni-2018.pdf 128 https://www.arbetsformedlingen.se/download/18.62e81508163a1ec9d4ec1e0e/1528460978051/lagesbedomning-av-snabbsparsarbetetjuni-2018.pdf p. 17.
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