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Exploring the role of job brokers and their contribution to job matching and sustaining employment.

Job brokerage is a fundamental component of the MAAS Project, aimed at creating an efficient job brokerage system that supports both job seekers (including Ukrainian refugees) and employers, particularly in the tourism sector. Given the challenges faced by the job seekers and displaced individuals, job brokerage acts as a structured intervention to bridge the gap between talent supply and labor market demand. This section in the E-Guide explores the role of job brokers as facilitators who guide job seekers through career pathways, helping them secure sustainable employment by matching their skills, aspirations, and market needs. It also highlights the challenges in job brokerage, such as economic fluctuations, skill mismatches, and policy constraints, and presents best practices from industry leaders, including Trim Tab AB (Sweden) and its contributions to the MAAS Project.

Exploring the role of job brokers and their contribution to job matching and sustaining employment.

Key Insights

Job brokers act as intermediaries between job seekers and employers, playing a crucial role in assessing individual skills, offering career counseling, and supporting application processes. Their impact is significant in reducing unemployment, promoting social inclusion, and effectively matching individuals to suitable employment opportunities. Organizations like Trim Tab AB in Sweden exemplify best practices in guiding people—especially those distant from the labor market—toward sustainable employment.

Despite their importance, job brokers face multiple challenges. Refugees and immigrant job seekers often struggle with language barriers, cultural integration, and the recognition of their qualifications. Broader issues such as economic uncertainty and fluctuating labor market demand further complicate their work. Additionally, the digital divide limits access to job search platforms and tools for many candidates. Frequent changes in policy and employment regulations require brokers to adapt quickly to remain effective.

Successful strategies in job brokerage include tailored programs like Sweden’s Rusta och Matcha, which offers personalized career planning. Data-driven approaches help brokers align services with labor market trends, while strong employer networks facilitate direct placements. Technology, including AI-driven platforms, enhances the job-matching process by improving accuracy and efficiency, ensuring better outcomes for both job seekers and employers.

Practical Tools and Methods

Tailored Career Support – Make It Personal

  • One size doesn’t fit all – every job seeker has different skills, goals, and barriers.
  • What works? Personalized career guidance that helps people identify their strengths and explore opportunities that fit their skills and aspirations.
  • Example from Trim Tab: They run career planning programs that include skill assessments, job readiness training, and matching people with roles that fit their backgrounds.
  • Actionable Tip: Job brokers should spend time understanding each job seeker’s skills, goals, and challenges instead of just pushing them into any available job.

Helping Ukrainian Refugees and other Job Seekers Overcome Barriers

  • Many refugees and migrants struggle with language barriers, unfamiliar job markets, and unrecognized qualifications.
  • What works? Providing language support, cultural training, and guidance on qualification recognition can make a huge difference.
  • Example from Trim Tab: They connect job seekers with language resources and help them navigate the process of getting their foreign qualifications recognized in Sweden.
  • Actionable Tip: Set up language training sessions or connect job seekers with mentors who’ve successfully integrated into the labor market.

Digital Job Search Training – Helping Job Seekers Go Online

  • Not everyone is digitally savvy, but most jobs now require online applications.
  • What works? Teaching job seekers how to write a CV, apply for jobs online, and prepare for virtual interviews.
  • Example from Trim Tab: They provide digital skills training to ensure job seekers aren’t left behind due to lack of access or knowledge.
  • Actionable Tip: Offer basic digital job search training, especially for those who struggle with technology. Help them create LinkedIn profiles or learn to navigate online job boards.

Building Strong Employer Networks

  • The best way to secure jobs for people? Strong relationships with employers.
  • What works? Job brokers who actively engage with businesses and advocate for inclusive hiring can open more doors for job seekers.
  • Example from Trim Tab: They partner with employers across various industries, particularly in Sweden, to help job seekers access real opportunities.
  • Actionable Tip: Regularly meet with employers, understand their hiring needs, and educate them on the benefits of hiring diverse talent.

Technology & Data – Smarter Job Matching

  • Job placement isn’t just about intuition anymore – data and AI tools can make the matching process much more efficient.
  • What works? Platforms that use AI to match job seekers with roles based on skills and market demand are becoming more common.
  • Example from Trim Tab: They use digital tools to track job market trends and match job seekers with opportunities faster.
  • Actionable Tip: If you’re a job broker, leverage job-matching platforms and use market insights to guide job seekers more effectively.

Rusta och Matcha – A Proven Model

  • In Sweden, the Rusta och Matcha program helps job seekers get job-ready with personalized support.
  • What works? A mix of career coaching, training, and job-matching support ensures that job seekers are not just sent into any job, but the right one for them.
  • Example from Trim Tab: They are a trusted provider of this program, helping many job seekers integrate into the labor market successfully.
  • Actionable Tip: Look at successful job brokerage programs in different countries and adapt their strategies to your local context.