Increased employment through language internship

The figure shows how the share of participants in employment evolved after taking part in a language internship programme. In the year before the programme, fewer than 10 per cent of both participants and those in the comparison group had labour income. Two quarters after the start, participants surpassed the comparison group in employment. One year after the programme began, the share of participants with labour income was 5 percentage points higher than in the comparison group. Three years after the start of the language internship, nearly 45 per cent of participants had labour income, compared with just under 40 per cent in the comparison group.

What is a language internship?

A language internship (Språkpraktik in Swedish) is a labour market initiative from the City of Stockholm aimed at unemployed individuals with limited Swedish language skills. The programme begins with an introduction in the participant’s native language, providing knowledge about the Swedish labour market. This is followed by a three-month workplace-based internship. The purpose is to improve participants’ language skills and provide them with work experience.

Stronger effects for women

The increase in employment is explained by both subsidised and non-subsidised jobs. Employment rose particularly among women who took part in the programme. Women who immigrate to Sweden often face greater challenges in establishing themselves in the labour market and participate less frequently in work-related programmes and introduction initiatives. After taking part in the language internship, however, a clear effect is visible. By the end of the follow-up period, employment among participating women was 8 percentage points higher than among women who did not take part, corresponding to an increase of 24 percent. For men, the results show that the language internship did not lead to a long-term difference in employment compared with their comparison group.