Paving the path to skilled work for refugees from Ukraine and beyond

PTE Author
PTE Author
The Pearson and Talent Beyond Boundaries logos
Reading time: 3 minutes

Talent Beyond Boundaries and Pearson to offer free English language tests

MELBOURNE, Australia, Tuesday May 10, 2022: Pearson and Talent Beyond Boundaries now offer free English language tests to skilled refugees to help them resume their careers and rebuild their lives in a new country.

Over 600 refugees from around the world will benefit from the partnership, offering 300 free tests and a further 300 tests at a discount over three years.

Gio Giovanelli, Pearson’s President of English Language Learning said: “Russia's recent invasion of Ukraine, and the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan last year, are stark reminders that refugees need solutions – now more than ever.

“Refugees have skills and a desire to work and would be a valuable asset to a company and community if given the opportunity to migrate for work.

“A test of English costing GBP 180 can be a barrier to applying for a work visa. We want to make the pathway as easy as possible for these people during their time of crisis.”

Talent Beyond Boundaries Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Cousins said: “Many governments are embracing connecting refugees to meaningful work in their field.

"So far we've launched displaced talent visa programs with the governments of Australia, Canada and the UK.

“Together, these programs will provide safe migration pathways for thousands of refugees over the coming years.

“We're so grateful to private sector partners like Pearson for stepping up to support these programs.

“We believe this collaborative approach is the fastest and best route to a more equitable system; one that extends life-changing work and migration opportunities to displaced people everywhere.”

Talent Beyond Boundaries is the first organization in the world to focus on pioneering talent mobility for refugees as a complementary solution to traditional humanitarian resettlement.

Anyone displaced by the crisis in Ukraine, or anywhere around the world, can register on the Talent Catalog to be considered for international employment and skilled visa opportunities.

Pearson Test of English Academic English tests for study and work visas and is accepted by the Australian, New Zealand, and UK governments and over 3,000 universities and colleges worldwide. It takes about two hours to complete, and test takers receive results in about 48 hours.

ENDS

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to add life to a lifetime of learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That’s why our c.20,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world’s leading learning company, serving customers in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn’t just what we do. It’s who we are. Visit us at pearsonplc.com

Pearson Media Contact: Heather Gilmore heather.gilmore@pearson.com

TBB Media Contact: Jessie Mawson jmawson@talentbeyondboundaries.org

Related Content

  • Image- reading 800px x 451px
    How PTE Academic supports its test outcomes
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 1 minute

    Pearson recently published an Efficacy report looking at PTE Academic.

    The purpose of Pearson’s Efficacy Reporting is to be as open and transparent as possible about how it designs, develops, and evaluates the impact of its products on learners.

    Sarah Hughes, Research & Analysis Manager, helped pull the PTE Academic report together. Below she sets out its key findings:

    “The PTE Academic Assessment Efficacy Report explains how our research relates to three key indicators of assessment quality: validity, reliability, and fairness.

    • Validity evidence demonstrates that test scores can be used and interpreted for the defined purpose of the test. For PTE Academic, it is important that the test scores provide a meaningful reflection of a test taker’s language proficiency that can be understood around the world and used to help them make the next step in their journey.

    • Reliability is a measurement concept, which means that scoring is consistent over time, across multiple test forms, and/or over multiple administrations. Any time a candidate takes the test, they should be presented with the same opportunity for consistent measurement.

    • Fairness in assessment means that the test is not systematically biased and that scores can be interpreted in the same way for all test takers. PTE Academic’s research into fairness and automated scoring ensure that test-takers are given the same opportunity to demonstrate their language proficiency regardless of gender, race/ethnicity, for instance.”

    Read the PTE Academic Assessment Efficacy Report (PDF 940KB).

    View the full range of research conducted on PTE Academic.

  • Group studying and working together 1000px W
    New centers open and new universities sign up as PTE Academic demand grows
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 1 minute

    With 34% global growth this year, more test takers than ever are selecting PTE Academic as their first choice English language exam for studying and working abroad.

    To meet this demand, we have opened 14 brand new state of the art Pearson VUE test centers across the globe so far in 2018 to give test takers even greater flexibility when choosing the venue and date for their PTE Academic exam.

    For example, five centers have opened in major cities across Australia including Adelaide, Perth, and Sydney. Likewise in India, a further nine Pearson VUE test centers have recently opened across the country, in cities such as Delhi, Surat, and Ahmedabad, to give test takers a greater choice of venue.

    In addition, we have opened a further 21 new third-party test centers this year.

    Alongside this, increasing numbers of universities worldwide are accepting PTE Academic as the test by which prospective students can prove their English skills. Recent additions include:

    • University College of Northern Denmark (UCN)

    • UNITAR International University, Malaysia

    • Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Norway

    • East Asia Institute of Management, Singapore

    • EAE Business School, Spain

    • Norwich University of the Arts, UK

    • Illinois State University, USA

    • University College of Northern Denmark (UCN)

    Search the full list of universities which recognize PTE Academic.

    Take the next step

  • Image- European students, 800px x 451px
    New PTE Academic test center opens in Italy
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 2 minutes

    From April Italian based test takers will be able to take PTE Academic to study or work abroad

    Starting earlier this month, candidates can now take PTE Academic every Wednesday at the Pearson Italia Test Center in Milan, scheduling up to 24 hours in advance and getting results typically within 5 business days – often much quicker with over 85% of results returned within 2 days in 2018.

    PTE Academic is recognized by thousands of programs in the USA, 100% of Australian, New Zealand, and Irish Universities, over 98% of UK universities, and 90% of Canadian. It is also one of the few language qualifications accepted for Visa purposes by the Australian and New Zealand governments.

    Freya Thomas Monk, Senior Vice President English Assessment, Pearson said:

    “I’m delighted that we are opening a PTE Academic Test Center in Milan and that Italian students can now experience what PTE Academic has to offer – an unbiased, secure, fast and accurate test of their English language ability skills.”

    “PTE Academic is a high-stakes test that we at Pearson are very proud of. It is one of the few tests accepted by thousands of academic programs around the world as well as for Australian and New Zealand visa applications. It provides unbiased proof of a candidate’s English skills and scores are returned quickly – more than 85% within 2 days in 2018 – all achieved through our use of leading AI technology.”

    The PTE Academic Center in Milan is located via Arconati 1 (Porta Vittoria Station, bus 92, tram 12). Pearson provides plenty of preparation to get ready for the exam, such as:

    Explore all PTE Academic preparation resources or book your test today.