Introduction programme for immigrants, 2008

The number of participants thereby almost reached the record high level from 2006.

Most participants from Somalia

In 2008, the highest number of participants came from Somalia, Iraq, Burma, Afghanistan and Russia. As in 2007, almost 6 out of 10 participants came from these countries. Iraq had the highest increase from 2007, while Russia had the largest decrease. Burma had the highest share of men in the Introduction programme, while Afghanistan and Russia the highest share of women. Measured in number of participants, Palestinian territory and Eritrea saw the highest increase, both with an increase of more than 200 participants from the year before.

Participation in the introduction programme is a right and is mandatory for new immigrants aged 18 to 55. There are few participants in the higher age groups. Most participants are between 26 and 35 years old. The female share decreases with age.

High share of participants from Burma, Congo and Palestinian Territory

The number of participants as a share of the total number of immigrants in a certain year, can be a useful way of measuring participation. Among those who immigrated in 2008 there are however persons that not have reached to start before the end of the year. It is therefore better to look at those who immigrated in 2007 and their participation in the programme in 2008. For immigrants settled in Norway during 2007, the highest degree of participation in 2008 was among those from Burma, Congo and Palestinian Territory.

One of four participants in the five largest cities

In 2008, as in the previous years, most of the participants were in Oslo, followed by Bergen, Trondheim, Kristiansand and Stavanger.

In addition to the increase in participants from 2007 to 2008 the municipal accounts shows an increase in operating expenditures in the same period. Figures reported from the municipalities accounts show a national total gross operating expenditure of NOK 963 million in 2008, an increase of 10 per cent from 2007.

Many stay in the programme

68 per cent of the participants in 2008 were still in the programme at the end of the year. 18 per cent completed the full duration of the programme, while 6 per cent completed early to transfer to work or education.

Norwegian most important course

The introduction programme consists of several types of schemes or courses, the most important being Norwegian with social studies. 92 per cent participated in this course during 2008. 30 per cent participated in the second most attended course which was language practice. 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.

Most men among those who had work besides the programme

18 per cent of the participants had some work besides participation in the programme. 22 per cent of the male and 15 per cent of the female participants were working besides the programme.

16 per cent of those who participated the whole year received social assistance in more than 6 months

Every participant in the introduction program receives a “salary”, an introduction benefit.

One of the important ideas behind the start of this payment was to create an alternative to social assistance.

Among those 2 430 who received introduction benefit all 12 months in 2008, 390 persons or 16 per cent received social assistance in addition to the introduction benefit in 6 months or more. In 2007 this share was 19 per cent.

Tables:

• Table 1 Participants, by country of birth and sex. 2008.
• Table 2 Participants by municipality of Introduction programme and sex. Absolute figures and percent. Selected municipalities. 2006-2008
• Table 3 Participants by end of year status, sex and county. 2008
• Table 4 Participants by county, sex and type of course. 2008
• Table 5 Participants by country of birth, sex and year of immigration. 2008
• Table 6 Participants by end of year status. 2005-2008
• Table 7 Participants who have had paid work in addition to particpating in the programme, by year end of year status and sex. Absolute figures and percent. . 2008.
• Table 8 Persons receiving introduction benefit all 2008, who were also long-term recipients of social assistance same year, by sex, marital status, and children
• Table 9 Persons receiving introduction benefit all 2008, who were also long-term recipients of social assistance in 2008, by county