| dc.description.abstract | Despite the numerous efforts by the Norwegian government to ensure that refugees are fully integrated into the Norwegian labour market, highly-skilled refugees still face many challenges in their job search. This study is to explore the experiences of highly-skilled refugees who have obtained a well-paid job in the Norwegian labour market as part of their integration to deepen our understanding of what influences the labour market integration in Norway among this particular group. It also looked at the difficulties they face in finding work or jobs. The qualitative research design was chosen as the research methodology for this project because it enabled the researcher to conduct more in-depth semi-structured interviews on the subject under study. The study was informed by the Structuration Theory, Human Capital Theory, Social Capital Theory and Integration Theory. The research findings indicate that the use of family, friends and networks was crucial for refugees to obtain paid employment as part of their integration into the Norwegian labour market and society at large. The study also revealed that skilled refugees are not usually able to achieve their childhood aspirations or profession upon their arrival in Norway. Refugees who gain employment experience a sense of merit, self esteem and belonging as well as a sense of integration into Norwegian society. The findings of this study also showed that finding employment is often difficult for refugees and immigrants with refugee backgrounds due to a lack of networks, racism or discrimination, language barriers, non-acceptance of foreign academic credentials, and lack of experience in the labour market, to name a few. Furthermore, not all people with refugee histories who obtained paid employment encounter the same challenges with employment as a tool for integration. To be empowered and integrated into the Norwegian labour market and society, skilled refugees accept that employment is a goal. | en_US |
