Asylum seekers in Victoria now have a greater chance of acquiring qualifications that lead to employment, thanks to a boost of $550,000 awarded to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC).

It’s really important to know that by investing in refugees and giving them an education, refugees build economies; they create more jobs, they stimulate growth, they don’t do the opposite.

The funds also come with the added promise of 1000 TAFE places over the next two years, a significant increase from 300 per year.

Founder and CEO of the ASRC, Kon Karapanagiotidis was feeling positive in the wake of last week’s announcement.

“It’s a huge success, it’s great news and we’re absolutely thrilled,” he told Neos Kosmos.

“We had been keen to grow and develop this, and so we had been in talks with the government about wishing that we could place more people seeking asylum into TAFE, into VET programs, and what was very exciting is that the state government has committed to providing more places.”

The Andrews Labor Government has also gone one step further with a pledge to cover the full cost of the course, which the CEO says is huge for many accessing their services who are destitute and don’t have the means.

The program, which is the only one of its kind in Australia currently, has been in place for four years over which the ASRC has managed to place 751 people in TAFE, of whom at least 90 per cent have successfully completed.

“It’s a huge success story providing a vital pathway to people seeking asylum to contribute to skills shortage areas, to work and be an asset to the community; exactly what refugees are when given an opportunity,” says Mr Karapanagiotidis.

“The people we see are often very talented and skilled people, but without any local qualification or local work experience, they’re often the barriers that lock refugees out of work.”

The boost is part of a broader plan to expand the program’s reach beyond the city of Melbourne, to the outer suburbs and country towns of Victoria.

This will see the ASRC run external workshops and establish a helpline to assist prospective students in navigating the system, answer their queries and provide ongoing support.

“It’s exciting that the state government is looking at this as state-wide, rather than just here in Melbourne.
“At state level there is real moral leadership and goodwill, that no matter where people sit politically, they see the importance is investing in refugees and believing in their potential and supporting them to thrive. It’s so nice to have that when at a federal level there’s no leadership and it’s so toxic, and there’s no one willing to champion such conversations,” he added.

The program’s effectiveness has been praised for its design as part of a broader employment program that sets people up with mentors and work experience, rather than being left in the lurch with a diploma in hand.

“It provides a real pathway to get people job-ready, to do work, to fill gaps, strengthen our economy and get out there and succeed.”

And the ASRC’s success story is gaining more exposure nationally, leading to lobbying in NSW in a bid to roll out a similar program there.

“It’s really important to know that by investing in refugees and giving them an education, refugees build economies; they create more jobs, they stimulate growth, they don’t do the opposite,” tells Mr Karapanagiotidis.

“We’ve gone and shared all of our learning and how we succeeded in doing this in Victoria with our peers in NSW to help them with their work. So there seems to be some optimism there that that will happen there as well.”

And it’s not just the economy that is benefiting, but the individuals being granted opportunities that are cheering, with positive feedback about being given a sense of purpose, pride, dignity, and the prospect of a promising future in Australia with their families.

“How would any every day person manage if they had no future and no sense of belonging?” asks the CEO. “They wouldn’t.”

“This is a win-win; we help people who have come here seeking sanctuary and safety for their families, to succeed. And rather than be a burden, they’re going to be an asset; they’re going to grow our economy and make it even stronger. That’s what happens when you invest and support, rather than punish and vilify.”