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The Introductory programme in Oslo I Who
is the programme for? I What is the programme
about? I
I More information I
The Introductory programme for
refugees
The Introductory programme is open to refugees who have lived 2
years or less in Norway. It is also open to family members of persons
with refugee status. The aim of the programme is to qualify participants
for a job or further education. The programme can provide options
with regard to future plans and wishes, including Norwegian language
training, qualification programs, practice in a work-place, local
networks, accommodation, leisure activities, health and family issues,
etc.
The local authorities in your municipality are responsible for
implementing an introductory programme
which consists of an individuel programme and an introductory allowance.
Aetat (the public employement services) is an important partner
in this work and the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) monitors the
programs in each municipality.
The programme may last up to 2 years, excluding approved leave
of absence. You participate full-time (5 days per week) and have
the right to 5 weeks of holiday per year.
The Introductory
programme in Oslo
Click here to
find information about the Introductory programme in Oslo.
Who is the programme
for?
Participation in the programme is open and mandatory for
- Refugees with political asylum
- Resettlement refugees
- Persons with residence on humanitarian grounds
- Persons with collective protection
- Persons who have been granted family reunification with a person
within the above groups.
Participation in the programme is mandatory for persons between
18 og 55 years.
The Norwegian Parliament has ruled that those who come under this
programme must settle in accordance with an agreement between the
Directorate of Immigration (UDI) and the local authorities.
What is the
programme about?
The introductory programme helps you make plans for your future
life in Norway. You will be assigned a contact person or programme
advisor. Together with your contact person you will draw up an individual
plan for your future. It is mainly your responsibility to ensure
that this is a good plan , and you must take active part in the
planning. This plan will form the basis for what will become your
introductory programme. Click here
to see an example of such a plan (handlingsplan in Norwegian).
The introductory programme will familiarize you with working life
in Norway and you will learn about Norwegian society. You will also
become familiar with your local community and get to know about
educational opportunities and job options in your municipality.
You might not be
able to get the same type of work as you had before, at least not
to begin with.
Thus, the programme includes:
- Mapping: an overview/description of your skills, your
special interests, and your professional and/or educational background.
The programme should comprise elements in accordance with your
wishes and skills.
- Planning: The Introductory programme is in effect a plan
of action for your next two years in Norway. The plan includes
your professional and/or educational background, what you want
to do in Norway, and what to do to reach your goals. You and your
contact person will revise the plan at regular intervals.
- Introductory programme allowance: Everyone who takes
part in an Introductory programme is entitled to an introductory
programme allowance (introduksjonsstønad). As in
working life, money will be deducted from your allowance if you
are absent without an accepted reason. Your local authority will
inform you in more detail about the rules governing this. The
allowance functions as a type of “wage”: you pay taxes,
but you do not earn any pension points. You obtain pension points
only when you enter regular employment. As of May 2005, the amount
is 121 398 NOK per year. If you are under 25 years of age, your
benefit is reduced by 1/3.
If you take on some extra work on weekends or during the week,
you are still entitled to the introduction benefit, and there
will be no deductions. However, there are strict attendance requirements
for anyone participating in this programme.
- Norwegian language and society: To begin with, the main
activity in the programme.
- Diploma: Upon completion of the Introductory programme,
you will receive a diploma to document your participation.
May be ueseful when furthering your carreer!
Also:
- Recognition/evaluation of your credentials: Your educational
and professional background is evaluated and compared to the Norwegian
system of education.
- Building social networks: For å bli bedre kjent
med nærmiljøet der du bor kan du være med på
kultur- og fritidsaktiviteter. En flyktningeguide
kan hjelpe til med dette.
- Norwegian language practice: As part of the programme,
you can spend time in a work place where you get to practice your
Norwegian outside the classroom.
- Labour market training: This may be courses that facilitate
admission to the job market, for instance on-the-job Norwegian,
labour market training courses in cooperation with the employment
office, part-time jobs, etc.
- Further education: In the Introductory programme you
can follow lower secondary school courses for adults or preparatory
courses on upper secondary level.
Contact person
All programme participants have a contact person in the municipality.
You work with the contact person to set up your individual plan.
The contact person also assists in finding appropriate housing.
Sick leave in the Introductory programme
If you were sick no more than three days, you can write your
own statement. This is called egenmelding. A medical certificate
- sykemelding - from a medical doctor is necessary if you
have been ill more than three days. Your salary is not reduced if
you hand in a written notice or a doctor's certifcation.
If you have children under 12 years of age, you are
entitled to a specified number of days at home.
Leave of absence
You can apply for a leave of absence from the programme. This
may be granted for up to 10 months if you are on maternity leave.
You can also apply for a leave of absence to travel if special
reasons require it. You will not recieve the Introductory programme
allowance during this time.
More
information
The links to further
information below, will in most cases take you to websites in Norwegian.
Resources on the UDI website:
Other resources:
The Introductory programme has approximately 3000 participants.
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