Pilot program launched to help new arrivals
Friday 24 October 2008
Newly arrived migrants and humanitarian entrants in Tasmania will soon be better equipped to take their place in the workforce, the Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, said today.
Mr Ferguson launched pilots of the Employment Pathways Program and Traineeships in English and Work Readiness Program at TAFE Tasmania in Launceston saying both programs were a government priority.
The government committed $49.2 million over four years in the 2008-09 Budget to run the programs around Australia.
‘New arrivals, including humanitarian entrants, want to enter the workforce as soon as possible after their arrival in Australia,’ Mr Ferguson said.
‘Clearly they could be making a valuable contribution to our society through earlier participation in the workforce.
‘Some of the barriers which migrants and humanitarian entrants face in entering the workforce include a lack of Australian work experience, a lack of knowledge of Australian workplace culture and occupational health and safety issues. Another frequent issue is limited or no English skills.’
The Employment Pathways Program helps people with the lowest levels of literacy, to learn English in formal and informal settings while gaining familiarity with Australian workplace culture and practices.
It includes exposure to work situations, occupational health and safety and other employment preparation skills.
The Traineeships in English and Work Readiness Program helps new arrivals into their professional field or into vocational training through a combination of vocation specific English language tuition, together with work experience and mentoring.
More than 800 humanitarian entrants have settled in Tasmania in the past three years with about one third settling in the Launceston region.
The programs will be piloted in both northern and southern regions of Tasmania before being fully integrated into the Adult Migrant English Program, which has been delivered by TAFE Tasmania for many years.
Media Contact: Sarah Gestier-Garstang - 0432 283 020
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/parlsec/media/media-releases/2008/lf08063.htm
Last update: 27 October 2008 at 09:49 AEST