Ten AMES Australia students have found work or pathways to employment in recent weeks, thanks to the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) and Settlement Language Pathways to Employment and Training (SLPET) programs in Mildura.
Two Afghan refugee sisters are among those with new jobs.
Bibi Maryam, who has a psychology degree from a university in India, has found work as a Kindergarten Inclusion Support Officer with Mallee Family Care.
Her sister Bibi Sama, who has an Information technology degree, did a work placement with AMES Australia and has secured a job with the organisation as an Education Support Officer.
“We are both extremely happy to have gotten jobs in our respective preferred areas," Bibi Sama said.
AMES Teacher Albi Dinker said it was rewarding to see people get jobs in their preferred occupations.
Another two AMES Mildura students have completed work placements with Woolworths and have been offered part-time positions.
Two more students, brother Khwaja and Jamilla, an Afghan doctor are currently doing work placements at a local dental surgery.
Khwaja plans to go to university to study to become a dentist.
Three more students are doing work placements in childcare to work out if they can see long-term careers for themselves.
Albi said she was pleased to see so many successful outcomes from the AMEP and SLPET programs.
“The SLPET program is all about giving people knowledge about the workplace environment and helping them acquire the soft skills and tools they need to get a job, even if they have skills required," she said.
“It is also about developing the students' confidence to be able to attend a job interview and work with people they might not know initially.
“This is something we prepare them for in the classroom. And it's important because most newly arrived people don't get a job straight away. It can take two of three months to gain the confidence.
“And the work placements given the students the opportunity to know if a particular job or career is right for them," Albi said.
The SLPET program is a part of the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) funded by the Australian Department of Home Affairs.