The InclusionTOC objectives were to: -Foster the integration of women migrants in VET education -Make VET education more attractive and welcoming for women migrants -Agree on common long-term solutions to tackle obstacles to education such as linguistic, social and cultural barriers -Agree on solutions related to the specific problems that women migrants encounter due to their gender -Make VET a safer and more attractive space for the most vulnerable groups such as women migrants -Prevent isolation of women migrants through a progressive inclusion in the VET centers -Empower women migrants in their learning journeys -Expand migrant women’s employability chances -Offer a concrete training material on soft skills which will be beneficial both on a professional and personal level -Create an environment of inclusion and acceptance -Create a core of migrant women who after the training can work as role models in their communities, assisting younger women in their educational journey -Upskill VET staff and trainers to use the TOC -Upskill migrant women by enhancing their soft skills and leadership competences -Raise VET staff and trainers’ awareness about the obstacles related to the intersection of migration and gender inequality.
Over the past ten years, the EU has seen a great amount of migrants and refugees coming to live within its Member States. The first issue to be observed is that the MS tend to see the integration of these newcomers as a challenge rather than an opportunity. Economists agree that the presence of immigrants is highly valuable for European economies and will help to counterbalance the ageing European population. The integration of migrants in the labour market is thus vital. VET education is an important framework for the inclusion of the most disadvantaged groups in society and more especially migrants. VET institutions themselves are not always adapted to the needs and specificities of migrants, and women migrants in particular. This specific group may encounter various obstacles including cultural differences, linguistic barriers or specific discriminations because of their gender. Applying the Theory of Change to VET education environments can help address these problems in a structured, effective and sustainable manner. A proven method like the TOC is needed here because of the complexity of the change that we need to achieve