EON pages
This information relates to EON 2024. We will update the information for EON 2025 when we move to the new website in June/July 2025.
Building on the success of WW4RI Well being and Work for Refugee Integration Project-EELGA SMP – EELGA SMP whilst recognising the changing employability landscape, EELGA SMP has designed a programme to complement REP (Refugee Employment Programme (REP) | Get Set UK) and STEP Ukraine (STEP Ukraine | World Jewish Relief). The projects are compared here. EON will fill the gaps in eligibility and services provided to a range of overseas nationals in the East of England.
For the most part, the employment advisers who worked under WW4RI will continue to work with clients under EON.
EON will also provide comprehensive support to overseas nationals with high skills (graduates and professional careers) and medical professionals in particular.
New for 2024/25: New funding model
This work was previously funded by EU money and then through central government funding allocated to the Strategic Migration Partnership. But now we have successfully moved to funding through local authorities across the region who will benefit most from the EON project. The work of the employment advisers will help to address and prevent future homelessness when asylum seekers are granted a decision (see below) as well as assist clients currently on benefits into work.
Work with asylum seekers
The funding local authorities have requested that our employment advisers visit asylum seekers in the region even before a decision on their case has been granted. Consequently employment advisers will ask people about their intentions to stay or leave the area in which they are currently resident to assist with forward planning.
Once an asylum seeker has been granted a decision, the employment adviser will continue to work with them or refer them to the best employability programme for their needs.
More information on EON
What we offer
Eligible clients will receive comprehensive employment advice from a specialist, experienced adviser. This will include assistance to prepare CVs, application forms and interview practice. The employment adviser will work with each individual to help them find vacancies in line with their previous experience, qualifications and career goals. They will also provide support once a client has found work. This may include completing references and right to work checks, understanding contracts and facilitating conversations with superiors. The employment advisers are able to work with clients who have a wide range of career goals.
As a result of our cooperation with our partner MENTA, we are also able to provide support for self-employment and setting up businesses.
Eligibility
EON is open to people who are resident in the East of England,
i.e. home address in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk.
who have the following immigration statuses:
- All Hong Kong BN(O) visa holders
- All former UASC now over 18 with permission to work
- All VPRS/VCRS
- All Ukrainian guests (Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family Scheme, Ukraine Extension Scheme)
- Resettled refugees (ARAP, ACRS, UKRS and others).
If EON is not suitable, we will actively refer clients to the best employability scheme for them.
ESOL courses
Our employment advisers can refer clients to undertake our specialist ESOL courses. They are:
- Driving theory
- How to use the NHS
- Understanding the English school system
- Budgeting & finance
- Know your employment rights
- Housing and homelessness.
These courses take place online and face-to-face in some locations across the region.
High skills
People with a high skills level often face complicated challenges when getting back into their established careers. For example, doctors may find this takes as much as 6 years. We are able to assist people looking to restart a graduate, professional or medical career through our specialist adviser, Ferzana Kusair, who has built up many contacts with regional employers and the NHS in particular during the WW4RI project.
In the first instance please complete the referral form. An employment advisor will then be in touch to assess skills, qualifications and ambitions. They will then make the onward referral to Ferzana.
