Switzerland has always been a beacon of hope for those fleeing conflict. Its acceptance of close to 66,000 Ukrainian refugees since 2022 is a testament to its commitment to humanitarian values. Offering safety is essential and urgent. Integrating these refugees into the Swiss workforce is an equally critical challenge—and an opportunity.
Only 24.65% of Ukrainian refugees are currently employed. Many have taken the roles far below their qualifications. With Switzerland facing labor shortages in sectors like healthcare, IT, and hospitality, this isn’t just a humanitarian issue; it’s an economic one. How do we bridge the gap between untapped talent and unmet needs?
The Cost of Untapped Talent
Refugees bring resilience, adaptability, and skills. Among Ukrainian refugees in Switzerland, 69% hold university degrees, yet they remain underemployed or unemployed due to systemic barriers. A NGO participant at the recent roundtable dedicated to this issue highlighted, “When you have doctors working as kitchen staff, it’s not just their loss—it’s ours too.”
Meanwhile, industries like health-care and logistics struggle to fill vacancies. This disconnect reflects a missed opportunity to harness the expertise refugees bring, which could bolster the economy and address urgent labor shortages.
Key Challenges
- Qualification Recognition
Refugees often face long and complicated processes to have their foreign qualifications recognized in Switzerland. For highly skilled professions like medicine or engineering, this can take years. As one roundtable speaker remarked, “We need to align urgency with process. Refugees are ready now—our systems are not.”
- Language Proficiency as a Gatekeeper
Fluency in French, German, or Italian is often non-negotiable, yet language learning requires time, resources, and immersion opportunities. Without proficiency, refugees are excluded from many roles, particularly client-facing or technical positions.
- Social Isolation and Confidence Erosion
Without local networks, refugees struggle to navigate the job market. A refugee shared, “After a year of unanswered applications, I stopped believing I could contribute.” This isolation exacerbates feelings of helplessness.
Solutions to Bridge the Gap
- Fast-Tracking Certifications
Accelerated qualification recognition processes could place refugees into sectors where their expertise is urgently needed. Equally refugees should be encouraged to obtain new Swiss certifications. For example, expedited pathways for healthcare workers could alleviate shortages while supporting refugees.
- Sector-Specific Language Training
Tailored language programs focused on technical vocabulary can prepare refugees for roles in IT. For example, a program teaching terms like "software development lifecycle," "cloud architecture," and "data security" can help refugees excel in team meetings, coding collaborations, and client presentations.
- Building Bridges Through Mentorship
Mentorship programs that pair refugees with industry professionals can provide guidance on navigating Swiss workplace norms, building confidence, and expanding networks.
Refugees bring more than stories of resilience—they bring skills, aspirations, and the potential to enrich Swiss society. By addressing systemic barriers, Switzerland can transform this challenge into an opportunity for shared growth.
