Do Austrian Programmes Facilitate Labour Market Integration of Refugees?

Abstract

This study examines two programmes aimed at integrating refugees into the Austrian labour market: a short-term Skills Assessment and a longer-term Integration Year that includes an internship and training. The theoretical framework draws on the concepts of social field and forms of capital proposed by Pierre Bourdieu. Using data from a large-scale refugee survey in early 2019, we find that Austria’s short-term Skills Assessment fails to increase refugees’ employment chances. The Integration Year positively helps employment, but this outcome is limited to refugee women. We conclude that integration programmes only help if they provide refugees with both cultural and social capital. Implications for research and practice are discussed.