The strength of the VU Polytechnic Skills & Jobs Centre lies in its strong partnerships with community and local industry, linking training and skills development to employment and local economy growth.

Through the development of awareness around community needs and the creation of collaborative relationships with local service providers, the VU Polytechnic Skills and Jobs Centre is able to assist individuals who are in Australia on temporary VISAs to access welfare support, suitable training and employment.

Located close to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), the Footscray office of the VU Polytechnic Skills and Jobs Centre is ideally located for a diverse range of vulnerable individuals who wish to access advice regarding their current skills, training options and career possibilities. A referral pathway has been established to allow eligible Asylum Seekers (with full working rights) to access the services of a careers advisor at the VU Polytechnic Skills and Jobs Centre.

Asylum Seekers are a vulnerable group who generally require a great deal of support and guidance. It has therefore been imperative for our Career Advisors to conduct a comprehensive career assessment and resume review for each client prior to job referral as many are unaware of the training needed and the content requirements of a professional resume. Clients on Temporary VISAs experience many barriers to securing employment, often have limited transferrable skills and lack confidence in their ability to succeed in job interviews. Consequently, providing tailored individual services, suitable referrals and intensive interview preparation has been an essential role of the VU Polytechnic Skills and Jobs Centre in order to secure successful outcomes.

CASE STUDY: ABDULLAHIAbdullahi, an unskilled Asylum Seeker on a temporary VISA with no permanent address, presented to the VU Polytechnic Skills and Jobs

Centre on referral from the ASRC in January 2019. He required significant assistance to understand and develop his employable skills

and feel confident to apply for suitable work. Following detailed resume revision, training referrals, assisted job searching and

referrals to local support networks, Abdullahi has now secured full-time ongoing work in the warehousing sector.

"I felt very alone when I arrived in Australia and was anxious about being able to find a job. Thanks to the Skills and Jobs Centre for

helping me to get the training I needed and build my confidence. I am very happy with my job- I have made many friends and am

gaining lots of valuable work experience."

CASE STUDY: HURIYAHuriya is an experienced hairdresser from Saudi Arabia who

required assistance to secure work in Australia. The VU Polytechnic Skills and Jobs Centre was able to assist her to understand and access suitable training and obtain ongoing work through local

network referrals.

"The Skills & Jobs Centre Career Advisor in Footscray was SO helpful. I had no idea what I needed to do to have my hairdressing

qualifications recognised. Now I am working and studying- I couldn't be happier!"

The experience of the VU Polytechnic Skills and Jobs Centre demonstrates the great benefit that comes

from developing collaborative relationships with local service providers to enhance training and career

options for otherwise disadvantaged groups, including asylum seekers.

ENGAGING DIVERSITY: Empowering Asylum Seekers

To find out more visit: www. skills-jobs-centres.com.au

SKILLS AND JOBS CENTRE