Overlooked & resilient/flourishing behind barriers

In February a refugee contacted our organisation about applying to university. Or maybe college to train as an electrician. He was looking for a way out of working all hours in a fast food shop and was sad about having to give up his engineering career.

Give up your engineering career? I asked. Hang on a minute…

We worked on a CV. He got hold of his certificates. We contacted the relevant UK professional engineering institution which, to my surprise, offered to pay most of the costs of having his qualifications officially assessed for UK equivalence. I warned him that at the very least he’d probably have to study engineering legislation and health and safety before he could be recognised, but at least that was better than doing a whole new degree.

Today he came in. His qualifications have been fully recognised. He has been admitted as a graduate member of the UK professional engineering institution. That will help him get a job in his field. Then, just like any UK-educated engineer, he can go straight on to creating his portfolio to become a full member.

Ooh, there were big smiles all round today!

The only downside for me: he’s moving to London for a bigger choice of jobs. But he’s promised to keep in touch.


There's been some blipcomment conversation recently about dandelions. I was delighted to find I'm not the only one who admires them.