Airport 'welcome centre' plan to help immigrants land a job

Published on Wednesday 30 January 2008 09:27

CALLS for a welcome centre at Edinburgh airport to help migrants from eastern Europe find appropriate jobs were being debated in the Scottish Parliament today.

MSPs from across the political spectrum have backed the proposal tabled by Lothians independent Margo MacDonald.

Groups working with Polish people in the Capital said it was an "excellent idea".

An estimated 35,000 east European migrants, the majority from Poland, have come to Edinburgh over the past three years. But Ms MacDonald says many of them are in jobs which do not make use of their skills and qualifications.

She wants a pilot scheme to match the education and work experience of migrants with the skills shortages in the Scottish workforce. She said a welcome centre in Edinburgh airport could identify migrants' qualifications and their ability to speak English and provide advice on employment, training courses and other services.

"The purpose would be to give as much assistance as possible to the people coming in from Poland and provide as much intelligence as possible to local agencies and employers. There would be no direction of labour or people – it would be about the best information possible.

"If they needed to brush up on their English they would be given a list of places where there are classes. They would be asked about their professional qualifications and supplied with information about where jobs or further training could be had."

A multi-million-pound investment programme at Edinburgh Airport this year will see the departure lounge double in size. New shops, restaurants and bars are also planned.

Airport chiefs said they had not been formally approached to consider a welcome desk. But a spokeswoman added: "We would be happy to meet Margo MacDonald to discuss any ideas."

George Rubienski, former headteacher at Craigroyston Community High School, who is now involved with a community support group for migrants at Fort Primary School, said a welcome desk would offer a one-stop information point.

He said: "It's an excellent idea. It would mean people could get off the plane and immediately be put in the right direction and given the right people to contact. And it could link with support groups that already exist."

Ron Hewitt, chief executive of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, backed the proposal. He said: "Welcoming people as they arrive is one of the things we have not been particularly good at in the past. Margo is quite right to raise the specific issue of welcoming migrant workers. We are well aware that many who come to work here end up working in positions well below the level of their qualifications and skills."

He said there should be a central register to show which Polish qualifications could be recognised at equivalent levels here.

The chamber employs a Polish-speaking business development worker to help migrants setting up their own business.

Ms MacDonald has the backing of several SNP, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green MSPs.

CLEARED FOR MULTI-MILLION-POUND FACELIFT

BAA has a multi-million-pound package of investment planned for Edinburgh Airport in 2008.

&#149 A 16m project to resurface the airport's main runway will begin in March with works taking place overnight for about eight months.

&#149 Additional X-ray machines with the latest technology will help meet a target of getting 95 per cent of passengers through security search in under five minutes.

&#149 A 29m project to double the size of the departure lounge, due to get under way towards the end of the year, will include a new security area, additional seating and extra shops and facilities.

&#149 Three new aircraft stands are being constructed at a cost of 13m, to cope with extra planes as the number of new international services at the airport continues to rise.

&#149 Other developments include an 8m consolidated car rental centre and upgraded and modernised toilet facilites throughout the terminal.