How Skills Development Scotland can help
If you need help and support as you’re looking for employment or training, Skills Development Scotland can help.
You can explore My World of Work or ask for a face-to-face appointment if appropriate – use our search to find a centre.
If you are receiving coaching support from Skills Development Scotland, your adviser can help you find out how any qualifications you have from outwith the UK compare to qualifications here in Scotland. Alternatively, you can go direct to NARIC – the UK's National Recognition Information Centre – directly, but this will incur a cost.
Need help with English?
If English isn’t your first language, you can take a course in English for Speakers of Other Languages to improve your language skills and build your confidence. Visit the ESOL website for more information and to find courses.
Visas, immigration and taxes
- Gov.uk has information and advice on immigration and visas for work or study
- The HM Revenue and Customs website has advice on tax and National Insurance for migrant workers
Help for Refugees
The Scottish Refugee Council (SRC) offers a 12 month Refugee Integration Service for people who have been granted leave to remain following an asylum claim and are currently living in Scotland.
Visit the website to find out more or call 0141 248 9799 to make an appointment.
The SRC also has an employment toolkit with useful information and a guide, Dignity and Fairness, which outlines employment rights. Both are available as downloads from the website.
Universities Scotland has published Refugees Welcome. This is for current and future students and their universities.
Refugee integration loan
You can apply for a refugee integration loan to pay for a rent deposit or rent, household items or education and training for work. You should get in touch with your local Jobcentre Plus before applying as you may be entitled to other help too.
Help for international students
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (CISA) has helpful advice and information for international students who are studying, or want to study, in the UK.
The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) also has guides on Finding your way to work and runs job search and career planning sessions online.
More useful sites
- Asylum Help UK offers help and advice for asylum seekers
- The Bridges Programmes offer support for refugees, asylum seekers, migrants and anyone for whom English is a second language, living in Glasgow. They can help with things like work placements and employability support
- The British Red Cross offers support for Refugees
- Citizen’s Advice Scotland has information for people who come to the UK from overseas
- The International English Language Testing System website has information if you need to take a test, test centres, and practice questions
- The Scottish Migrants Network
- Talent Scotland has information on job vacancies and working in Scotland
- The TUC’s WorkSmart website has advice and information for migrant workers from the EU about their legal rights
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