Alla Fedko makes a frappucino for the cruise tourists who stop by the Frænd café in a summer-warm Stavanger. The job she does is under the auspices of Kristent Interkulturelt Arbeid (Kia), which runs the combined café and second-hand shop. – Here I have learned the Norwegian language and gained work experience. Last year I got a computer course, and I learned to sew, says Fedko, who is from Bulgaria. After ten years and several failed attempts to learn Norwegian, she has finally cracked the code. – I’m very pleased. Now I understand grammar, and can speak and understand Norwegian better. Alla Fedko from Bulgaria on job training in the Kia cafe in Stavanger. Photo: Anett Johansen Espeland / news Kia in Stavanger currently has two classes with a total of 44 immigrant women. When they have learned basic Norwegian, they get practice in the café and shop. And the free offer is popular. Between 70 and 80 women are on the waiting list. – It’s stupid that we can’t offer more. We want to capture those who fall a little outside. Most are in a difficult financial or social situation, says Ruth Marie Salte Keyes, Kia manager in Rogaland. Ruth Marie Salte Keyes manages Kia Rogaland. Photo: Anett Johansen Espeland / news Have to fire people After the government last winter came out with what Kia describes as a shock announcement, uncertainty has spread in the organisation. Overnight, support from the state was cut by NOK 8 million. – Now there is uncertainty. A system where we have to use resources to apply for funding from year to year. These women need stability, says Salte Keyes. In Stavanger, the local politicians have so far saved the operation. It is particularly worse in Oslo and Kristiansand, according to Kia. – It has very serious consequences. We are unable to get satisfactory finances, and then someone has to get off the boat. We have very few people, so this means a very limited offer going forward to the very weakest, who are our primary group, says Acting General Secretary of Kia, Siri Mathiesen. Siri Mathiesen is acting general secretary at Kia. Photo: Svein Sundsdal / news Several employees have been made redundant in Oslo, and Kia there has so far stopped accepting more women. The organisation, which has received state support since 2017, normally helps between 200-300 immigrant women in Oslo, Kristiansand and Stavanger each year. – Poverty is increasing and volunteerism is needed. But we only get a fraction of what we got before, says Mathiesen. Can apply for support The government cut the direct support to several organizations in the state budget for 2023. Earmarked grants were removed, and the money was moved to the applicationable scheme. The rationale was that more people should have the opportunity to apply, and be assessed against each other. – Kia can apply for funds under existing schemes. In the revised national budget, Norwegian education is proposed to be strengthened by NOK 13 million. Here, the organizations can apply for funds to provide training to adult immigrants. This way we can reach more people in a situation where there is great pressure on the refugee service, says State Secretary Samra Akhtar (Ap) to news in an email. State Secretary in the Ministry of Labor and Inclusion, Samra Akhtar (Ap). Photo: Simen Gald / Ministry of Labor and Inclusion The flow of refugees to Norway has increased dramatically, and Kia is feeling it. – We have increased intake from those who have been in the intro programme, but do not have a high enough language level to get into work. A very intense race is planned where you have to fit into a system, while at the same time you may have both culture shock and trauma. Many people need an intermediate station here, but we do not have enough funds to increase capacity, says Salte Keyes. Norwegian lessons at Kia in Stavanger. Currently, 44 women are taking part in the course in two classes. Photo: Anett Johansen Espeland / news Facts about the introduction program The introduction program is a training program for refugees in Norway. The target group is people between the ages of 18 and 55. The municipalities have an obligation to establish an introduction program for newly arrived immigrants who become residents of the individual municipality. The aim is to give the participants basic skills in Norwegian, basic insight into Norwegian social life and prepare them for work or education. Source: Ministry of Labor and Inclusion Ukrainian swimming teacher got a job Among the refugees from Ukraine, there are also many who are left out in their new homeland. news recently told about the Ukrainian refugee Galyna. The 62-year-old is too old for the intro program for refugees. The swimming teacher missed having a job where she could be useful and learn the language at the same time. Stavanger Svømmeklubb responded to the case and engaged her as an assistant in swimming lessons for school pupils. – It is a big step for me to learn Norwegian in this way, and it is wonderful to be able to work again, says Galyna Globa. General manager of Stavanger Svømmeklubb, Åge Olsen, and swimming teacher and refugee Galyna Globa from Ukraine at work in Kvernevik swimming hall. Photo: Anett Johansen Espeland / news The 62-year-old now has unpaid language and work training three days a week, in addition to Norwegian courses two days a week. – My aim is to be able to employ her in the long term. Galyna has a PhD, and is a very skilled instructor, says general manager Åge Olsen at Stavanger Svømmeklubb. He believes that new thinking must be done to get more immigrants into working life. – Both the refugee service, private actors and the various organizations must work together.
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Immigrant women in line to learn Norwegian – while the state cuts support – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
