Project Case Study Central America

Following their return, migrants are often stigmatised, viewed by their countrymen as traitors or even criminals, regardless of whether their return was voluntary or forced. They experience difficulties reintegrating into the local labour market. Additionally, the skills they have acquired during their sojourn abroad are not officially recognised. What’s more, in growing economic sectors such as construction or tourism there is a lack of qualified labour. Local companies have recognised that they could benefit from returnees’ skills.

Qualification certificate as a key to the labour market

Certification of worker skills with hands-on work experience facilitates their reintegration into the economy and simultaneously covers the demand for qualified labour in new and growing sectors.

The fact that no system exists to certify qualifications and skills acquired abroad is one of the greatest impediments faced by returnees. For this reason, the project is focusing on certifying work experience that often results in their anticipated entry into the labour force. It is also in the interest of those companies that are supporting the project accordingly. They benefit as their new employees have brought back comprehensive knowledge of the North American economy, and this helps in enhancing their competitiveness. Moreover, the likelihood of these workers migrating once again is lower if they can find a job or open their own businesses.

Social integration for a better life

The stigmatisation they experience from society makes these people particularly vulnerable. For that reason, it is particularly important to strengthen their resilience and help them with the appropriate action. They should be empowered to take their economic and social reintegration into their own hands and play active roles in their communities. Various project initiatives support and strengthen their personal skills – for example, in the field of conflict management and resolution, or even in conduct and self-confidence.

Market access thanks to partnerships

Swisscontact has been working with the private sector in Central America for a long time in order to facilitate access to the market for people in precarious situations. This is done first of all through the promotion of technical education and training, and second through alliances with partners in the state and private sectors. Services encompass a broad spectrum of support measures and range from helping people find jobs to providing access to start-up capital or coaching, and all the way to consulting in establishing or expanding business models.

Claudia Esperanza Castañeda Cruz,
El Salvador, a returnee from the USA

“In 2015, I departed for the United States for economic reasons and was deported in 2017. In the US, I worked in kitchens and cleaning. As I had to come back, I was determined to start my own company. I heard about this project through a friend, I applied and then got a phone call. They told me that I could get my cooking skills certified, and that is an essential condition in El Salvador to find a job in a kitchen. This project means a lot to me. If I had already had the opportunity to get certified back in 2015, I would not have left. Today, with the certification and skills I obtained in the training, I hope to open my own small restaurant. I now know how to run my business, which will be called Comedor La Guerrera (‘The Warrior Woman Eatery’), and how accounting works, or how to manage my employees. It isn’t always easy, but then I remind myself what I learned and keep on fighting.”

Carlos Salvador Molina Hernandez, El Salvador, a returnee from the USA

“In 2003, I decided to emigrate to the United States. In 2021, I returned to El Salvador. Upon returning, I had hoped above all else to find work and re-join my family. I wanted to have the skills I had acquired abroad certified and to document my knowledge. The Swisscontact project made this possible: I was able to get certified as a floor tiler and found a job soon after that. I was given help in writing my CV, and it was explained to me how to give a presentation in a job interview and what to look out for. I was so happy to get this job offer because I wanted nothing more than to find a job. I never thought it could happen so quickly, and I am very grateful to all those who helped me.”

Ramón Usaí Solórzano Guerrero, El Salvador, a returnee from the USA

“I emigrated to the United States in 1996. After my return, I heard about this project through friends. I applied to have my skills in assembling and processing stone slabs certified. Now I am learning how to start my own business. My company is called Usaí Remodeling. We do home renovations. We also do house painting, install air conditioners, and perform electrical and plumbing work. The certifications are very important to me because there is great demand for our services, and with certification, I can prove that I know how to do things. Additionally, we get job orders from well-known companies. It is highly motivating to learn new things and receive assistance to start my own company. I’d like to thank Swisscontact for this project, which is helping me and all those returning to our country, imparting skills and moving us forward.”

Mauricio Ernesto Martínez Hernández, El Salvador, a returnee from the USA

“I left for the United States in 2001. At that time, I had decided to leave my country because there was no work. In 2018 I was deported and returned to my country. At a meeting with the immigration authorities in El Salvador, the people from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentioned the Swisscontact project. To learn after such a long time abroad that there is an organisation that could help me find a job was highly motivating. As part of the Nuevas Oportunidades project, I obtained a certificate in drywall installation from the Salvadoran Institute of Professional Training (Instituto Salvadoreño de Formación Profesional, or INSAFORP). For me, certification means a lot because even if it is just a piece of paper, it helps me assert myself and get my foot in the door with companies. With my own company, I also install stone walkways, gates, roof gutters, and undertake other construction work as well. The name of my company Génesis Construcción symbolizes the beginning of everything. For me, it means a new beginning and also a new life. My vision for the company is to always look ahead and stay positive.”

Results

The Nuevas Opportunidades project has helped certify 417 returnees to El Salvador and Guatemala. This has facilitated reintegration into the labour market for 62% of certified migrants, helping them to increase their average monthly earnings from 260 to 875 U.S. dollars. Furthermore, it has enabled the founding of 44 businesses with an average monthly turnover of 950 U.S. dollars and 144 new jobs.

Financial Statement 2021

Organisation

Partners

Results and Impact

Sustainability

Overview