annual report 2010 –2011 - Multicultural Development Association

above Hind Al-Saloom
The program aims to create transition pathways for participants through a mixture of individual
case-managed support and group activities around the following four topic areas:
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lifeskills training (including core settlement lifeskills relating to education and employment
for young people)
employability skills development (i.e. the basic underpinning skills and personal attributes
all employers look for in their employees)
job preparation skills training (including career pathway exploration, job search techniques,
resume writing and interview skills practice)
hope and confidence building activities (including social and recreational activities)
MDA delivered its pilot Get Set for Work program in 2010. In 2011, MDA is working with
20 refugee and migrant young people across two program intakes. Both intakes include
an accredited vocational training component, with participants completing seven units of
competency from the Certificate II in Hospitality.
Job Pledge Program
The Job Pledge Program is a simple private initiative currently implemented in six schools
across Brisbane, as well as one in Toowoomba. Staff at participating schools make voluntary
donations and accumulated funds are used to employ a refugee or migrant jobseeker at the
school for a fixed term. Established in 1993 by Mark Taylor of Padua College, the program has
so far offered 49 participants an opportunity to make first steps into the Australian labour
market and gather experience and acquire new skills in a supportive work environment.
Since the middle of 2010, MDA’s Employment and Training Services have been the main
source of participant referrals to the program. While MDA puts forward candidates, the final
decision on the selection of Job Pledge employees rests with the participating school. In
2010/11, eight MDA Employment clients were placed with Job Pledge, of which seven are
currently employed.
job pledge success
Having arrived in Brisbane from Iraq in late 2009, Hind Al-Saloom’s first contact with MDA was
through the Refugee Settlement Services team. After completing her first term of English studies
at TAFE, Hind was ready to look for work and contacted the Employment Team for assistance. She
was provided with one-on-one case management support and job search guidance and was
eventually recommended by her Employment Case Manager for a position in the Job Pledge
Program. Hind was successful in the selection process and was offered work during Term 4, 2010
at Mt St Michael’s College in Ashgrove.
Following her Job Pledge contract, Hind obtained work as a teacher aide at Milpera State High
School, however, because of the devastation experienced by the school in the Brisbane January
floods Hind’s work was unable to be continued. Hind reconnected with her Employment Case
Manager, who encouraged her to apply for work as a Cultural Support Worker in MDA’s Bicultural
Support Services. Hind is now one of the most highly requested CSWs working with staff and
clients across all areas of the organisation.
Community Literacy Program
MDA’s Employment and Training Services have partnered with the Caboolture Community
Adult Literacy Group on the delivery of a Community Literacy Program for refugees and
migrants, delivered from MDA’s Windsor office.
The partnership commenced with the delivery of a Volunteer Tutor training course, training
up nine volunteers to assist second language learners in their efforts to improve their English
language, literacy and numeracy. The first Community Literacy Course commenced in June
2011 and is helping participants acquire some of the required foundation skills to better
engage with employment. The course focuses on general literacy and numeracy, as well as
on basic computer skills needed to enter the workforce.
Networking
In the past year, we continued and further expanded our networking activities. Through its
Employment and Training Services, MDA is a member of the South East Brisbane Chamber
of Commerce, the Woolloongabba Business Association and Business South Bank. Regular
meetings and functions of these organisations give MDA’s Employment Team a platform to
connect with local industry and employers.
We also remained engaged with well-established multicultural and employment networks,
such as the Multicultural Advisory Committee and the Southside Multicultural Network. We
have also taken on convenorship of the South East Brisbane Employment and Training (SEBET)
Network, and play an active role in Employment Action for Cultural Diversity, an employment
advocacy working group convened by MDA’s Advocacy Team. MDA’s Employment Team is
also a member of Engineers Australia’s Overseas Qualified Engineers Support Group.
Future directions
We have been successful this year in further diversifying the services delivered by MDA’s
Employment and Training Services. In the coming year, we will for the first time offer accredited
vocational training courses to our refugee and migrant jobseeker clients (outside our Get Set
for Work Program), both on Brisbane’s Southside and Northside.
For the near future, identifying growth industries and skills shortage areas as well as creating
opportunities for training and work experience that open up pathways into sustainable
employment remain high priority areas.
18 MULTICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION | ANNUAL REPORT | 2010 – 2011 MULTICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION | ANNUAL REPORT | 2010 – 2011
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