Introduction programme for immigrants, 2014

The number of participants in 2014 is thereby the highest since the programme started in 2005.

Most participants from Somalia

In 2014, the highest number of participants came from Somalia, followed by Eritrea, Syria, Afghanistan and Sudan. In 2014 Syria had the highest increase compared with the previous year.

Some categories of immigrants have a right to participate in the introduction programme, and it is mandatory for new immigrants aged 18 to 55. There are few participants in the higher age groups, and most participants are between 26 and 35 years old.

High share of participants from Sudan and Syria

The number of participants as a share of the total number of immigrants in a certain year can be a useful measure of participation. Among those who immigrated in 2014, there were, however, many who were unable to start until the end of the year. It is therefore better to look at those who immigrated in 2013 and their participation in the programme in 2014. For immigrants settled in Norway during 2013, the highest degree of participation in 2014 was among those from Sudan and Syria.

Most participants in Oslo

In 2014, as in the previous years, there were most participants in Oslo, followed by Bergen, Trondheim and Kristiansand.

Seven in ten were still registered in the programme at the end of the year

Seventy-one per cent of the participants in 2014 were still registered in the programme at the end of the year. Nineteen per cent completed the full duration of the programme, while five per cent completed early to transfer to work or education.

Norwegian the most important course

The introduction programme consists of several types of schemes or courses, the most important being Norwegian with social studies. Eighty-nine per cent participated in this course during 2014. Thirty-two per cent participated in language practice, which was the second most attended course. Language practice is a component in the language training where the participants spend part of the week in a workplace to get hands-on language practice. Forty-six per cent participated in courses categorised under “Other”.

Some received social assistance

Every participant in the introduction programme receives a “salary”, or an introduction benefit. One of the main ideas behind this payment is to create an alternative to social assistance.

Among the 4 800 who received introduction benefit for the whole of 2014, more than 900 persons, or nearly 19 per cent, received social assistance in addition to the introduction benefit for at least six months. In 2013, this share was nearly the same, more than 19 per cent.