The reintegration of returnees into society is a major challenge that Serbia faces. In this process, finding employment is crucial for them to remain in Serbia and engage in contemporary social and social trends.
In order to support social inclusion and economic empowerment of returnees under the Readmission Agreement and potential migrants, a series of job training courses have been organized for these persons within the Global Migration for Development program.
This project is implemented by the German International Cooperation Organization (GIZ) and is funded by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.
So far, trainings have been held in 10 cities – Bor, Knjazevac, Belgrade, Vranje, Pirot, Beocin, Kikinda, Nis, Kragujevac and Uzice in cooperation with partners at the local level.
The professions offered through these trainings are hairdresser, hairdresser assistant, pedicurist, manicurist and beautician.
Svetlana Djokic, Program Coordinator in Serbia, pointed out that one of the reasons that these professions were chosen was that women in these activities could find employment easier.
“These occupations give them the opportunity to find work in local salons, as well as to independently engage in these activities and thus generate income”, said Djokic.
She added that for the returnees to Serbia, work is one of their most pressing needs, as it enables them to provide themselves and their families with an existence and perspective for the future.
The program consisted of a combination of theoretical and practical part of the training for the mentioned professions, and in addition to practical knowledge, as a start up support, packages of materials were provided for each course participant.
Throughout the training cycle in the non-cited five cities, a total of 100 candidates have passed, 50 of whom are employed in local salons.
One of the students who received her pedicure and manicure certificate is Suzana Selimovic, who returned from Germany with her family five years ago.
“For a long time, I could not find a job, so I decided to acquire some new skills and through pedicure and manicure training, try to secure our future. First I will look for a job in one of the local salons and then I will try to start my own business with my daughters”, she said of her plans.
In addition to support in education and employment, the program also provides additional counseling for all trainees on the more effective use of institutional support measures for social and economic reintegration offered by national institutions, international and non-governmental organizations.
The program also informs them of other assistance measures provided by the German Government, Danas reports.
