A breakfast coordinated by Advance Diversity Services (ADS) to educate businesses regarding the untapped potential of refugee and migrant talent yielded several job offers for a newcomer to Australia who spoke at the event.
Sabita Pudasaini told 80 local business people, employers and service providers who attended the July 30 breakfast that her experiences with ADS had boosted her parenting and professional skills, helped her make friends and develop networks, and given her the opportunity to flourish.
Ms Pudasaini, who is a Nepalese newcomer and parent with two young children, was originally a participant of an ADS parenting session. Following the session, she contacted ADS to undertake her Diploma of Community Services Student Placement with the ADS settlement team, and then continued on with ADS as a volunteer.
Ms Pudasaini’s confidence and experience resonated so soundly with participants at the Business Breakfast that she was offered two offers of employment shortly afterwards. She has since been successfully employed in a family support role in children’s services.
An ADS Disability Employment Service participant has also completed an interview for a labourer job that came out of the Business Breakfast, and will be starting a work trial in August.
Team Leader of Emerging Communities at ADS, Magdaline Shenton-Kaleido, who supervised Ms Pudasaini, said, “Sabita’s story is an example of how newcomers to Australia can be supported with professional development and networking opportunities to gain industry experience and become confident to hit the ground running when they get their first paid work.
“As a migrant resource centre, ADS offers volunteering opportunities to empower newcomers. Volunteers are considered team members, given responsibility for tasks, and are highly valued. Sabita’s commitment to learning and contributing proved that she is an asset to any workplace and we wish her well in her new role.”
The Business Breakfast was made possible by member organisations of the St George Sutherland Shire Employment, Training and English Action Network (SSETEN), including ADS, whose next event is a Career and Employment Expo on October 16.