Breaking Barriers: Work & Welcome Programs Opens Doors for Skilled Refugees and People Seeking Asylum in Australia
3rd July 2024
For many refugees and people seeking asylum arriving in Australia, their professional expertise often goes unrecognised. Brilliant engineers, doctors, and teachers find themselves unable to secure employment in their fields, despite years of experience. The primary obstacle? A lack of Australian work experience.
This challenge is where House of Welcome's Work & Welcome program steps in, offering a crucial bridge to employment for newcomers. Our program, offers a crucial lifeline, providing that all-important first step into the Australian job market. In partnership with compassionate Sydney schools, the program offers 10-week full-time placements in various positions, fully funded by school communities through fundraising efforts.
The Impact is Real.
The impact of Work & Welcome extends far beyond a paycheck. As Jacqui, Community Engagement & Partnership Manager, shares: "One client said she didn't sleep for two weeks after receiving her first placement as the anxiety of not working for so long had taken a toll on her mental health. After, she finally said she could start sleeping again through the night and found a sense of peace again."
The Benefits for Our Clients.
Crucial Australian work experience
A safe environment to acclimate to workplace culture
Improved confidence and mental health
A stepping stone to future employment opportunities
Restored dignity and self-worth.
“the constant stream of rejections takes its toll, chipping away at confidence and self-worth. Some, in desperation, resort to downplaying or even hiding their qualifications, hoping to land even the most basic roles. It's a heartbreaking choice - to deny their own expertise just to get a foot in the door.”
Peter’s* Story.
Peter*, a person seeking asylum and an engineering academic. Just recently, through our program, he landed an interview at one of our partner schools and made such a remarkable impression that he was offered the job on the spot. Starting in July, Peter will shadow a maths and physics teacher and assists the librarian, marking a significant milestone in his journey to rebuild his career. His dedication and expertise are already making a positive impact, and we couldn't be prouder of his achievements.
*Name changed for privacy
The Challenges We Face.
Success stories like Peter's highlight the program's impact and whilst we celebrate their achievements, the program faces its own hurdles:
Lack of government funding limits service capacity
Intense post-pandemic job market competition
Stricter documentation requirements create additional obstacles
Housing instability affects job search and integration efforts
Despite these challenges, Work & Welcome continues to change lives thanks to ongoing community support. By providing that crucial first step into employment, the program is building bridges to a better future for refugees and people seeking in asylum in Australia.