Job seekers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in Western and Southern Melbourne are set to benefit from new employment programs under Settlement Services International (SSI) in Victoria that will provide them with free support in finding work.

The SSI in Victoria is one of more than  75 Jobs Victoria Partners across the state which are part of the Victorian government $619.4 million Jobs Victoria initiative.

As a Jobs Victoria partner the SSI staff will help people from CALD communities to access support, information and advice to find work.

One branch of support will be through Jobs Victoria Mentors who will help people to become job ready and find work that suits them. The mentors will support people for their first six months at work and they will also work with employers to understand their staffing needs and bring them together with suitable local candidates.

The other branch of support will be provided through Jobs Victoria Advocates who will share information about finding a job and connecting people with the services that will support them in their search such as help in preparing for interviews and compiling resumés and linking people to other Jobs Victoria programs.

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The advocates will  also connect people to local community services such as accommodation, cultural organisations, education, family and health services, legal support, networks and working groups, religious communities and settlement support

SSI State Director Sonia Vignjevic said the service was particularly important for refugee, asylum-seeker and migrant communities which had been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We know that the main barriers facing migrant and refugee job seekers include insufficient Australian work experience, understanding of how to navigate the employment system, limited support with resumes and interview skills, and limited English proficiency,” said Ms Vignjevic.

“Our experienced bilingual, community-based staff are addressing these unique barriers and support community members to connect to local employment and training opportunities.”

“We applaud the Victorian Government’s initiative in supporting tailored job seeker services,” she said.

♦ For more information visit SSI’s Jobs Victoria website, email jobsvictoria@ssi.org.au or call 1800 749 174.