Fostering the labour market reintegration of returning migrant workers and former refugees
Photo © Pexels/Kelly Lacy
Online
Fostering the labour market reintegration of returning migrant workers and former refugees
15 September–24 October 2025
The course is available in English
Key Features
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
An action-oriented, highly participative approach will be used, with particular attention devoted to sharing international experiences with a view to their adaptation and practical application.
INTEGRATED E-LEARNING
An innovative e-learning experience combining self-paced modules, webinars and discussions, case studies, forum debates, role-play exercises and group work using up-to-date learning methods and technologies.
THREE PHASES
Learning begins at own pace, continues through high-quality, engaging “real time” sessions and ends with an individual assignment
PEER-TO-PEER LEARNING
Practitioners from different parts of the world and different background will join the e-learning to share with participants their concrete experience and actions on establishing fair recruitment practices.
Introduction to the course
The return of migrant workers and former refugees is a dynamic and often complex process, shaped by a combination of driving and enabling factors. Return may be prompted by challenges abroad, such as contract termination, unemployment, or difficulties with integration, but also by family-related reasons and the prospect of new opportunities in the country of origin. At the same time, successful reintegration depends on supportive conditions at home, including political stability, enabling policies, recognition of skills acquired abroad, and access to economic, social, and psychological support services. For refugees, whose return should remain voluntary, the availability of safety, security, and reliable reintegration opportunities is essential. Ensuring that return becomes a sustainable solution requires more than individual motivation. It calls for coherent and well-coordinated public policies, strong institutions, and inclusive labour markets that offer genuine opportunities to returnees. Countries of origin should also align reintegration measures with broader development strategies, including those on education and training, employment, and social protection, while fostering social inclusion and combating stigma or discrimination. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities of labour market reintegration for returnees. It introduces the main concepts and policy tools developed by the ILO and partners, examines lessons learned from reintegration policies and programmes across different contexts, and equips participants with knowledge and strategies to strengthen further institutional capacity. Delivered in an interactive and flexible on-line format, the course is designed to support governments, social partners, and other key stakeholders in developing effective and sustainable reintegration policies and measures.
Who attends this course?
The course is designed for officials and practitioners committed to facilitating the reintegration of return migrants. More specifically: - Public authorities at national and local level - Workers' and employers' representatives - NGOs and CSOs dealing with migration and development - Migrant associations - International cooperation agencies and organizations.
What are the topics dovered in this course?
- Module 1: Concepts and definitions
- Module 2: Linkages between migration and development and identification of returnees’ socio-economic profiles
- Module 3: Issues and challenges in return and reintegration
- Module 4: International standards and guidance
- Module 5: Why return and reintegration policies are necessary : General principles in designing and implementing return and reintegration programmes
- Module 6 : Content of a reintegration policy
- Module 7 : Policy implementation
- Module 8 : Assessing the implementation of reintegration policies
- Module 9: Good practices
How?
The course consists of a number of online modules offered through the ITCILO e-Campus online platform to be completed over a period of six weeks for an estimated 60 learning hours. The course is broken down into three phases:
- Flexible learning: (asynchronous) self-guided online learning on e-campus, forum of discussion facilitated by experts and assessment throughout the different phases of the course;
- “Real time” learning (synchronous): Live interactive sessions and engaging video presentations by highly experienced trainers, blended with individual and collaborative group exercises, peer-to-peer assessment and online technical forums on e-campus;
- End of course assignment: Individual assignment applying the teachings acquired during the course.
Why should I join?
- The Turin Centre is known for its innovative learning tools and methodologies;
- Course facilitators are subject matter experts and specialists;
- Training delivery includes online and tutor based learning opportunities;
- Participants exchange knowledge and ideas on existing good practices.
This course qualifies for the ITCILO Diploma for Labour Migration Experts and Practitioners. Take the Academy on Labour Migration, three courses out of all eligible courses within a five year period, and complete a capstone project to become part of a global cadre of practitioners and experts with a recognised set of skills in labour migration policy.
What will I be able to do?
The course addresses the social and professional reintegration of return migrants by strengthening the capacity of policy level stakeholders design and facilitate evidence based return migration policies. More specifically, you will be able to:
- Appreciate the challenges faced by returnees and identify the specificities based on their profile and migration experience;
- Understand what are the key element of a genuine reintegration policy and Acquire analytical tools and instruments (e.g. indicators) allowing adequate policies to be adopted with a view to supporting migrants’ reintegration;
- Access innovative and comparative data on returnees’ conditions back home and combine a top down and a bottom-up approach to return migration and reintegration;
- Benefit from increased awareness of the need to develop adequate mechanisms sustaining the reintegration of returnees while redefining current policy priorities as applied to return;
- Understand the factors, public policies, as well as the pre- and post-return conditions shaping migrants’ patterns of reintegration in their country of origin.
What will I be required to do during the course?
Course learning materials and tuition will be offered online in English. The following requirements are therefore essential to participate in this course:
- The ability to use and access a computer with internet;
- working knowledge of written English;
- the availability to dedicate per week between 5-10 hours to the course.
Payment
The cost of participation is payable in advance by the participant or his or her sponsoring organization.
How to apply?
Interested candidates should register on-line clicking on the “APPLY NOW” button at the top-right of the page.
Selection will be based on the following criteria:
- Proven work experience in relevant field;
- Submission of a letter of sponsorship to cover the total course fees.
