EEDA - Coordination

Coordination

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Coordination

EEDA works with a range of partners across the East of England in order to coordinate responses to migration issues.

Representatives of key organisations come together quarterly as the regional migrant worker steering group. Members include:

Minutes of the latest meeting and quarterly EEDA updates on activity are available to download in the resources box below.

English language strategy

In May 2008 EEDA and partners launched an English language strategy for migrant workers in the East of England. The transcript of the launch event and the new strategy can be downloaded below.

As part of this strategy, EEDA is managing and jointly funding an English language training project for migrant workers with the European Social Fund. The project will:

provide English language training, focusing on basic skills and getting learners to a stage where they can access mainstream learning opportunities
encourage and train migrant workers with teaching skills and experience to qualify as ESOL support teachers
develop English learning modules to be embedded in other subjects such as food hygiene, health and safety, or skills for business and enterprise
identify underemployed migrant workers to undertake management or technical training at level 3 within the workplace.

Coordinating communications

EEDA recognises that the debate on migrant workers is both controversial and emotive. Many people are concerned that migration is causing negative effects on local communities, crime, employment levels and public services. However, these perceptions are not only contrary to growing evidence, they may in themselves be damaging to both social cohesion and the regional economy.

EEDA is therefore leading the development of a joint regional strategy to address negative attitudes to migration and promote the benefits of migration to businesses. It will provide consistent, accurate and positive messages about migration, based on evidence from the region.