The unemployment of immigrants in Malmö is considerably higher than among Swedes. The goal is to improve the chances of immigrants during the application procedure, by improving the way they communicate about their experiences and skills and giving them insight in the Swedish labour market. An issue is that success in finding a job does not only depend on the applicant, but also on the employer.

All new immigrants will be better prepared for the labour market. Unemployed can also turn to this office.

The support process includes four steps: firstly the client fills in an exploratory survey, which is interpreted by a guidance councillor, the second step is a one or two hour intensified identification of occupational skills by a vocational teacher (this ends with a report), thirdly a three to five day occupational assessment follows, in which the basic occupational demands are discussed and practised (this ends with a certificate) and fourthly an assessment of 4-8 weeks follows possibly by taking a course in ‘upper secondary school’, which ends with a upper secondary school certificate. Working on their portfolio, questions for clients include: What have I done? How did I carry out my work tasks? What responsibilities did I have? What skills were required? The portfolio can be handed over to employers.

The process of creating the portfolio has turned out nearly as important as the product, as turned out during the first year of work. Because supplementary descriptions are added to the CV, a clearer picture of all the competencies of a person develops. This is useful for the individual and for the employers. It increases the insight about oneself of the individual, it increases self-confidence and it increases the ability to communicate his or her skills. Since 2000, more than 2000 newcomers, unemployed, employed and others have made their qualification portfolio. Since 2001 800 customers were sent through to upper secondary school courses. Identification of occupational skills started in 2007, and until January 2008, 70 newcomers were supported.

Monitoring of the Validation Office takes place by asking all participants how they found working with the Qualification Portfolio. Of the respondents 68% answered that it better prepared them to plan for the future, 48% said that it created better conditions to learn relevant Swedish language, 32% said it increased their general motivation and 27% said it was an effective way to learn Swedish. Only 5% said it had no added value. On the question whether or not the Qualification Portfolio supported their planning of education, 49% replied positively. The employment officers were also positive about the Qualification Portfolio: 30% they found it easier to match job seekers against work, 17% found it easier to communicate with job seekers about their competencies, 16% found it easier to present job seekers to employers.

Funded by the department of adult education of Malmö's central administration