Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE

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Pilot employment program leads to success

Thirteen refugees recently participated in a successful pilot program at GOTAFE aimed at improving their English language skills and obtaining employment.

GOTAFE's Migrant Education Unit ran the Pathways to Professional Employment Program over six weeks - four weeks full time study and two weeks practical placement. The program aimed to assist refugees to learn English while becoming familiar with Australian workplace culture and practices and ultimately gain employment.

The 13 refugees were from Afghanistan, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, China, India, Papua New Guinea and Thailand.

They completed work placements at Goulburn Valley Base Hospital, Shepparton Villages Aged Care, Coles Supermarket, Westmoreland Kindergarten, Colliver Road Kindergarten, Paint Right, Arthur Dickman Childcare Centre and IGA Supermarket. Various guest speakers from local industries also participated in the program.

The course provided training on seeking employment opportunities, writing resumes, and interview techniques and introduced students to legal, ethical and safety issues within a workplace.

Multicultural Unit Coordinator, Balvinder Kaur says the program gave students the confidence to pursue different avenues in both employment and further education sectors. "Previously they would often feel disheartened, not having much hope or help to move on to a better future."

At the end of the program five students were offered employment in aged care, one at a kindergarten and another obtained volunteerwork at the GV Base Hospital. Three students enrolled in an accounting course this year, while one student enrolled in Hairdressing and Beauty. Two students are continuing with their English language classes.

The Pathways to Professional Employment Program was very well received and a valuable course for the refugees.

The Pathways to Professional Employment Program was a funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and targeted Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) clients.

For more information on Multicultural programs call the Customer Services Centre on 1300 GOTAFE (468 233).