Organising the “Labour of Hope”: A Critical Take on the Role of Internships and Mentorships in Supporting Highly Skilled Immigrants into Jobs

Abstract

This chapter explores internships and mentoring programmes aimed at supporting the labour market integration of highly skilled immigrants in Sweden. Specifically, it builds on existing research to show that these activities instil in immigrants the hope that their (unremunerated) participation in these programmes will lead to future employment opportunities. Such mobilisation is difficult to maintain amidst constant political and organisational changes and the resulting ambiguities and tensions. The study suggests that the opportunities promised by the internships and mentoring programmes may take time to materialise and that organising such activities for immigrants may in fact prolong their precarious (un)employment position.