Employing asylum seekers: a good business decision

This July, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre’s Employment Program is celebrating its 11th anniversary; ten years of empowering hundreds of people to realise their aspirations, and to become socially and economically independent.

The political debate around asylum seekers has for too long detracted the public from seeing them for who they are. Highly skilled and driven individuals with admirable work ethics, committed to contribute to the Australian community, to support their families, and a strong desire not to rely on welfare.

Many speak English very well (some fluently) as well as several other languages, and have university qualifications from Western countries.  The Employment Program plugs those individuals with both sufficient English and the right to work into various pathways that lead to employment. These range from an entrepreneurship program, professional mentoring, resume writing and a host of social enterprises that skill-up and provide sustainable employment to members. The kids of job placements that the ASRC has been secure for members include positions in engineering, geology, teaching, customer service and IT.

For employers, asylum seekers referred by the ASRC are a low-risk proposition:

• The Employment Program takes responsibility for all the vetting at no cost.
• They only refer candidates who are a good match for the position, and provide post-placement support.
• They take responsibility for training people in Australian workplace culture and work conditions, to prepare them for job interviews and to support them as they start work.
• They liaise regularly with employers to ensure the placement is processing well.

Members can fill gaps in their skill set through sponsored vocational education & training for eligible members and also gain practical, hands-on knowledge as a volunteer in one of the many positions around the ASRC.

Many employers over the years have employed asylum seekers through the Program’s services and have been pleasantly surprised at the quality of work produced by employees, as well as their commitment to the role.

For more information about the ASRC Employment Program, go to www.asset.asrc.org.au, or contact Sonia Mackie, Employer Partnership Coordinator on 0435 848 272  or at Sonia.m@asrc.org.au.