Opening Recognition in the Margins: A Strength-Based, Trauma-Informed Model for Asylum Seekers in Transit

Abstract

In an era defined by the dual, often contradictory, forces of skills-based migration and unprecedented forced displacement, our systems of recognition face a profound challenge. While host countries experiencing critical skills shortages increasingly look to immigration as a solution, the 8.4 million asylum seekers globally are often systematically excluded from these pathways. The reason is simple yet devastating—conventional recognition practices are overwhelmingly built on the validation of formal qualifications and verifiable credentials. For individuals who have fled persecution—often without access to documentation, barred from working or studying in transit countries, and burdened by trauma that makes revisiting their past a painful ordeal—these systems are not just inaccessible; they are fundamentally broken. They perpetuate a cycle of deskilling and 'brain waste,' particularly for women, and fail to see the vast reservoir of talent and experience that exists within displaced communities. 

This presentation addressed a critical gap in practice and knowledge by asking: How can we open up recognition for those living in the margins? How can we build systems that are not only inclusive but also restorative? We presented a novel, evidence-based model for skills recognition that is intentionally strength-based, trauma-informed, and co-designed with a community of asylum seekers in a transit country context. 

Collaborative Action Research in Context 

This model emerged from an 18-month collaborative action research project based in Hong Kong, a setting where asylum seekers exist in a state of protracted limbo, awaiting resettlement while being legally barred from formal employment and education. The research was predicated on a partnership between a skills recognition expert and a frontline refugee resettlement practitioner. This dual perspective was crucial for grounding recognition theory in the complex, lived reality of the community. The methodology involved an extended period of remote mentoring, followed by an intensive, on-site, place-based immersion. Data were gathered through participant observation of workshops, collaborative design sessions, and deep engagement with the organization's staff, volunteers, and participants. This approach allowed for the organic development of a model that responded directly to the community's needs, rather than imposing an external framework. 

Our central finding was that effective recognition for this cohort cannot be a single tool or a simple process of validation; it must be a holistic, culturally embedded ecosystem. The developed model was built on two core innovations: a cross-organizational capabilities framework and a two-part learning program designed to empower individuals to both claim and articulate their own skills. 

The Capabilities Framework: Making Invisible Learning Visible 

A key breakthrough was the co-creation of a cross-organizational capabilities framework. Observing that significant informal and non-formal learning was happening organically within the organization—through volunteering, peer support, and workshop participation—w e realized the first step was to make this learning visible. The framework was built from the organization's core values, identifying key capabilities desired for growth. It is structured with defined progression determinants (“Support and Autonomy”, “Context and Complexity”, “Contribution and Influence”), multiple levels, and distinct streams for participants, staff, and volunteers. This tool serves multiple functions: it provides a clear pathway for personal development, acts as a recognition standard for internally generated certificates, enables monitoring and evaluation for funding proposals, and, most importantly, provides a shared language of skills for the entire community. It directly answers the question of how to articulate informal and semi-formal recognition into a structured, legible format. 

Keywords: skills recognition, refugee resettlement, trauma-informed