Tent job fairs connect dozens of major employers with thousands of refugee job seekers across Europe and the United States

In the past 12 months, the Tent Partnership for Refugees (Tent) co-hosted a total of 20 job fairs across Europe and the United States as it expands efforts to help refugees access local labor markets and connect them to work.

Across Europe, Tent most recently partnered with Tent member company Indeed to connect dozens of major companies with refugee job seekers at hiring events in London, Berlin, and Amsterdam. Participating employers included Amazon, DHL, Hilton, Marriott International, and The Body Shop – all Tent member companies. Nearly 3,000 refugees attended these job fairs, where they met with employers onsite and interviewed for open positions across a variety of levels and functions. 

Many countries in Europe are currently facing labor shortages, in industries such as hospitality, engineering, and construction. At the same time, few refugees are formally employed due to the structural barriers to employment they face, such as lower language proficiency, transportation issues, difficulties having qualifications recognised, as well as a lack of social and professional networks. The job fairs are an opportunity for companies in these sectors – and beyond – to meet with refugees, appreciate their skills and motivation, and help fill vacancies. 

In the United States alone, Tent has collaborated on 15 hiring fairs over the past year with a diverse group of resettlement agencies, non-profits, and local governments in cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Jersey City, Austin, and Miami. Employers including C&S, Highgate Hotels, Gordon Food Service, and UNIQLO – all Tent member companies – connected with thousands of refugee jobseekers. 

In addition to providing a forum to meet and interview with employers onsite, these job fairs further support the career development and advancement of refugees with tailored services that include interpretation support, resume-building workshops, and legal and tax consulting. In this way, Tent’s ever-expanding job fair scope continues to address the unique challenges and barriers refugees face when trying to find meaningful work.

For businesses wanting to find out more about Tent, please contact [email protected]. 

For more information about the companies in the Tent Partnership, visit www.tent.org/members.