social responsibility 2011

Skilled Medical Care for Caring Refugee Employment Program – Brotherhood of St. Laurence Melbourne

A program to assist refugees gain employment in the health and community sectors

Skilled Medical's project in its local community is to fund the Care for Caring program aimed at assisting refugees find employment in the health and caring sectors. The program will assist up to 20 refugees prepare for employment and will provide training, mentorship and support.

The Brotherhood of St Laurence whose motto is Working for an Australia free of poverty is dedicated to helping disadvantaged people at all stages of life by empowering them to build a better future. They have numerous research, services and advocacy programs and wide experience in services for refugees.

Many refugees in Australia face significant challenges finding work including limitations with language and communication, computer skills, job search methodology, support training, industry specific skills, transportation arrangements and funding. Skilled Medical’s Care for Caring - Refugee Employment Program provides funding of $15,000 and is aimed at helping up to 20 refugees from countries such as Somalia, Afghanistan, Burma, Congo, Iraq and the Sudan who live in the City of Yarra access employment and training opportunities over an 18 month period.

The Skilled Medical Care for Caring Program will allow the Brotherhood's Centre for Work and Learning to further enhance their service delivery to refugees wishing to enter into the health and community services sector. Participants will now be able to access specific community sector training activities designed to prepare them to meet industry need. Participants will undertake language and literacy assessments; complete vocational skills audit to identify any gaps and receive training to raise their awareness of Australian workplace culture and employer expectation. Participants will also receive on-the-job experiences, coaching, mentoring, post placement support and, most importantly, access to funding to meet training or employer needs.

The aim through our partnership with the Brotherhood is to help refugees find suitable employment, contribute their skills and talents to the community and enhance their future opportunities.

For information on the Brotherhood of St Laurence please follow this link:
Brotherhood of St Lawrence