3,000 people seeking asylum given access to VET courses in Victoria

In September, the Andrews Labor Government announced $15 million in funding to provide 3,000 placements for VET courses to people seeking asylum on eligible visas in Victoria from July 2016 to June 2018.

This has been made possible through an agreement between the Victoria State Government and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) who will directly refer 1,000 of the 3,000 places into TAFE and other training organisations through their Education Program. Helpdesk services will also be set up by the ASRC to assist providers to enable people seeking asylum to access the additional 2,000 places.  Workshops will also be developed providing professional training to staff in training organisations.  This will be the biggest education program for people seeking asylum in the country.

Thanks to its relationship with the State Government, the ASRC has placed 751 people seeking asylum in VET courses to date. Of this number, 92% of students seeking asylum completed their course, compared with 43% of students, as recorded by the Department of Education when measuring Government subsidised course enrolment completions, 2010-2015. They have done so because of their resilience, commitment to succeed and the support of ASRC staff and volunteers in the Education Program.

This new opportunity not only provides access to job opportunities across the state, it will help people gain confidence, build on their skills and contribute to our communities.

A member of the ASRC and a TAFE student speaks below of how significant this access to accredited education in Australia has been to his life.

“I would like to begin by thanking the ASRC for giving me the opportunity to study at TAFE. My experience in my previous life was in the teaching profession. I taught for 13 years: Urdu Literature, South Asian History and the Study of Pakistan. I was Principal of a Secondary School for two years in my country prior to coming to Australia. But when I approached schools in Australia for opportunities to work I was unsuccessful in meeting the criteria required when applying for work.

“Work is what I want to do. It is good to work, to feel independent, to feel that I am contributing to society and that I am a vital part of the community.  And for self-respect. So I approached the ASRC to find a way to get a job.

“My first priority was to find a course related to schooling. My education adviser assisted me over 6 months and she helped me to enroll in a TAFE course, a Certificate IV in Education Support. This  course gives me the experience that enables me to meet the criteria for a position as a Teacher’s Aide.

“The Certificate IV in Education Support is essential to opening the door to employment in Australia. I am gaining work experience through work placements in two primary schools. My study at TAFE and this work experience will help me to meet the criteria essential to gaining a job in Australia.

“On my first day of work experience in primary school in Australia I felt like a kid in a school on their first day. Everything was completely new; learning, teaching, the way the children are treated, the modern facilities….it was a whole new system of education for me to learn.

“I am very grateful to all the good people who have helped me. I feel this gratitude not only for myself, but for others who are starting their life in this country.”

About VET placements offered by the ASRC Education Program

Through a joint initiative of the ASRC with the Victoria State Government, 1,000 referrals per year to Government subsidised training will be made available through the ASRC Education Program, from July 2016 to June 2018. The ASRC will further support the referral of individuals into the remaining 2,000 placements through help desk services. The ASRC will also provide professional development workshops with government contracted training organisations delivering courses to eligible people seeking asylum. This partnership is the only one of its kind in Australia, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.

Each member of the Education Program also receives comprehensive education casework so that people have a planned pathway from education to employment which meets their goals and needs.

Through the support of over 80 volunteers and 2.2 EFT staff, the ASRC’s Education Program also provides over 2,000 hours of EAL (English as an Additional Language) classes from beginners to intermediate levels,  English for Hospitality, Home English Tutoring and IELTS preparation courses, annually.

For more information please visit www.asrc.org.au