In September 2020, the Danish government presented a proposal for a new employment initiative targeting non-Western immigrants, introducing a 37-hour work obligation aimed at moving this group into the labor market.

The target group includes recipients of SHO benefits (self-sufficiency and repatriation benefits), as well as those receiving cash assistance or educational support. The requirement to participate actively every week is mandatory. That means if individuals do not comply with the 37-hour obligation, their benefits will be reduced.

The initiative will primarily consist of utility jobs with public employers, where participants may be assigned tasks such as cleaning beaches and forests, managing municipal green areas, combating invasive species, clearing ditches, brush clearing, and similar tasks.

However, the 37-hour obligation will not consist exclusively of utility work. It will also include interviews, Danish language instruction, company internships, and/or regular employment.

The most successful activation efforts for non-Western immigrants—whether newly arrived refugees or long-term unemployed—have often proven to be a combination of language training and work placement or regular employment.

For the government’s proposal to succeed, it is essential that businesses take responsibility and help this group enter the labor market through internships and employment opportunities.

Another key to success is ensuring that each program considers the individual’s personal circumstances, including illness or physical and mental health, when determining weekly working hours.

At KHRS, we have had positive experiences with a holistic approach, where a combination of education, upskilling, and training in specific vocational modules has successfully transitioned non-Western immigrants from long-term unemployment into regular jobs.

E-asylearn – A Digital Learning Platform

KHRS Academy offers an e-learning program consisting of 24 specialized vocational modules through the app E-asylearn, which makes it easier for users to learn and complete these modules, as they are available in ten different languages.

The learning modules are in Danish, and users can learn Danish as they go by having Danish words and technical terms translated into their native language. The app also allows users to learn pronunciation of Danish words. Moreover, the app is adapted to the user’s individual level and is accessible for users with dyslexia. Each course can be split into multiple sections, and the audio function is adjusted accordingly, making navigation through the course easier.

Learning Made Fun

The learning experience is made more pedagogical, as the modules are built as mini-games and quizzes, making learning more enjoyable, easier, and motivating for users to complete each course.

The app uses multiple-choice tests, single-choice questions, word puzzles, and puzzle cards as educational tools to help users understand the content. In addition, short introduction videos are included to visualize key topics and points throughout the course.