Recruitment giant Adecco Group has pledged to find jobs for 85,000 refugees globally, and train or upskill 17,000 by the end of 2027.

The commitment raises a previous target set by the Swiss-based company.

The number of refugees in European countries rose to 12.4 million at the end of 2022 from 7 million at the end of 2021 as refugees from Ukraine sought safety in nearby countries, according to data from the UN’s refugee agency.

“No one chooses to be a refugee. We strongly believe that work is not just a source of income, but a first, important step for rebuilding a life, integrating in a new country and finding a place in society again,” said company chief Christoph Catoir.

The new pledge, which includes setting up a dedicated website to help refugees find jobs, follows on from a promise Adecco made in June 2023, when it said it wanted to find jobs for 50,000 refugees and provide technical and language training for 10,000.

The initiative aims to tackle barriers such as language skills, transportation issues, a lack of childcare, as well as inadequate social and professional networks.

“With Adecco’s help, tens of thousands of refugees – from Ukraine and elsewhere – will find a job allowing them to provide for themselves and their families,” said Gideon Maltz, from the Tent Partnership for Refugees, a group of more than 350 companies committed to integrating refugees.

The website, Jobs for Refugees, is an online platform that allows refugees from all nationalities to explore and connect to job opportunities worldwide, focusing on a “skills first” approach.

In Germany, Adecco recently joined the “Job Turbo for the Integration of Refugees into the Labour Market” initiative announced by the Federal Minister of Labour in October 2023. The target is to employ at least 10,000 refugees in Germany by the end of 2025.

To achieve these goals, Adecco Germany is working with committed companies such as L’Oréal.

L’Oréal Austria, Germany and Switzerland CEO Kenneth Campbell said: “At L’Oréal Germany, we are committed to employ people from disadvantaged socioeconomic communities. Through our inclusive sourcing programme, we explicitly include people with a refugee background.

“A more sustainable and inclusive future is possible, but it can only be achieved together. That’s why we are working with partners like Adecco to combine business performance with a positive impact on our society.”