Lost in transitional space? Organising labour market integration for highly skilled refugees in the welfare state

Abstract

Labour market integration of refugees is seen as a major challenge in many countries. This article draws on a qualitative study focused on highly skilled refugees participating in two internship programmes at two large private companies in Sweden. We draw on the concepts of organisational socialisation and liminality to suggest that such programmes, when organised in collaboration between private companies and public organisations as part of the labour market integration support offered by the welfare state, further entrench the liminal position of refugees. The refugee interns find themselves in a liminal space, aspiring to secure not only a future professional role at the workplace but also the role of an integrated member of the Swedish labour market—a role that is ambiguously defined and constantly shifting as ideas of what it means to be employable shift too. This is a position that is not without its problems, ambiguities and uncertainties and requires a new perspective on organising labour market integration of refugees.