Introduction programme for immigrants, 2010

The number of participants in 2010 is thereby the highest since the programme started in 2005.

Most participants from Eritrea

In 2010, the highest number of participants came from Eritrea, followed by Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Palestinian Territory. Eritrea had the highest increase compared with the previous year, with 70 per cent more participants.

Participation in the introduction programme is a right and it is mandatory for new immigrants aged 18 to 55. There are few participants in the higher age groups, and most participants are between 26 and 35 years old. The female share decreases with age.

High share of participants from Bhutan, Eritrea, Burma and the Palestinian Territory

The number of participants as a share of the total number of immigrants in a certain year can be a useful measure for participation. Among those who immigrated in 2010, there were, however, many who didn’t manage to start before the end of the year. It is therefore better to look at those who immigrated in 2009 and their participation in the programme in 2010. For immigrants settled in Norway during 2009, the highest degree of participation in 2010 was among those from Bhutan, Eritrea, Burma, and the Palestinian Territory.

Most participants in Oslo

In 2010, as in the previous years, there were most participants in Oslo. Bergen, Trondheim, Kristiansand and Bodø followed next.

Many stay in the programme

70 per cent of the participants in 2010 were still registered in the programme at the end of the year. 18 per cent completed the full duration of the programme, while 5 per cent completed early to transfer to work or education.

Norwegian the most important course

The introduction programme consists of several types of schemes or courses, the most important being Norwegian with social studies. 91 per cent participated in this course during 2010. 34 per cent participated in language practice, which was the second most attended course. Language practice is a component in the language training where the participants spend part of the week in a workplace to get hands-on language practice.

Most men among those who had work besides the programme

13 per cent of the participants had some work besides participation in the programme. 17 per cent of the male and 10 per cent of the female participants were working besides the programme.

Some received social assistance

Every participant in the introduction program receives a “salary”, or an introduction benefit. One of the important ideas behind this payment is to create an alternative to social assistance.

Among the 4 000 who received introduction benefit the entire year of 2010, nearly 700 persons, or 16 per cent, received social assistance in addition to the introduction benefit for at least six months. In 2009 this share was 17 per cent.

Tables:

• Table 1 Participants, by country of birth and sex. 2010
• Table 2 Participants, by municipality of Introduction programme and sex. Absolute figures and percent. Selected municipalities. 2008-2010
• Table 3 Participants, by end of year status, sex and county. 2010
• Table 4 Participants, by county, sex and type of course. 2010
• Table 5 Participants by country of birth, sex and year of immigration. 2010
• Table 6 Participants, by end of year status. 2006-2010
• Table 7 Participants who have had paid work in addition to particpating in the programme, by year end of year status and sex. Absolute figures and percent. 2010
• Table 8 Persons receiving introduction benefit all 2010, who were also long-term recipients of social assistance same year, by sex, marital status, and children
• Table 9 Persons receiving introduction benefit all 2010, who were also long-term recipients of social assistance in 2010, by county