SydWest Multicultural Services has partnered with SSI-Ability Links and Blacktown City Council to undertake a pilot project aimed at improving economic outcomes for job seekers from refugee and migrant backgrounds, as well as people with disability in the Blacktown LGA.
Leaders from the business community have been recruited to participate in the Blacktown Employment Accelerator at Blacktown City Council on Friday, November 17.
The event aims to drive new job opportunities for multicultural job-seekers. It will:
- Provide a forum to share the latest information from key industry employers on job opportunities in the area
- Provide opportunity for our local clients to meet with key employers for a short speed dating type introduction to employment and as a precursor to formal applications
- Raise awareness of the issues and opportunities for new arrival job-seekers in gaining meaningful employment in the area with key employers and seek their support in responding to this need
- Raise awareness among job-seekers of the job opportunities available with key employers in the area and the skills and experience required for different positions
- Develop networks, confidence and experience within job-seekers
The event will include presentations from corporate partners, as well as Blacktown City Council’s Clr Julie Griffiths, Sean Willenberg of the NSW Business Chamber and Dom Orlando of AbilityLinks.
Corporate partners include Bolton Clarke, BE Campbell Pty Ltd, Macarthur Aged Care, Ridley, Hire Up, Thrive Refugee Enterprise, Reach for Training, Max Solutions and Parramatta College.
SydWest Multicultural Services CEO, Elfa Moraitakis encouraged people of all backgrounds to join in.
She said, "We are looking forward to building sustainable corporate partnerships for the benefit of everyone in Blacktown – whether you are a resident job-seeker or an employer in the region – this event will showcase the wealth of experience and expertise on our doorstep and accelerate the connections necessary for successful employee recruitment."
SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis noted the importance of employment to the settlement process.
She said, “Finding employment is not only one of the highest priorities but also one of the biggest hurdles during the settlement process for refugees and migrants. However, the barriers to achieving sustainable employment grow exponentially for those living with a disability, who are usually at the most vulnerable spectrum of the newly-arrived community.
“At SSI we know this and this is why, besides delivering the Ability Links NSW program, we’ve developed innovative initiatives that ensure the social and economic participation of people with disability in all aspects of our community, such as the EmployAbility that offers tailored career pathways or IgniteAbility, which supports them to start their own businesses.”