Mentoring - an experienced individual coaching or advising a more junior partner or peer - is increasingly recognised in Europe as a tool for advancing the labour market integration of disadvantaged individuals. However, the scope, methods, and sustainability of mentoring efforts vary widely by national and local context, and depend on a variety of actors and conditions. This report identifies promising mentoring and job-coaching practices across Europe and North America, with a case study of Belgium.

The study centres on highly skilled newcomers and youth with immigrant background - two groups that are particularly vulnerable on the labour market. Overall, the study highlights that sustainable funding and harmonised multistakeholder collaboration are two main challenges to the effective use of mentoring initiatives to advance the labour market integration of immigrants. Having a generally shared political priority and goal can facilitate the creation and sustainability of such partnerships for mentoring. Youth unemployment is currently high on the political agenda in many countries – as opposed to a more uneven policy attention for highly skilled immigrants across countries – which may increase policy focus on these types of schemes.

Author: Milica Petrovic, Migration Policy Institute (MPI)