The Victorian Public Service Commission (VPSC) is to pilot a program among Public Service Agencies to address the challenges and barriers refugee and asylum-seeker university students face in gaining employment experience in Australia.
In a statement, the VPSC said the 2021 Victorian Government refugee and asylum seeker internship program was seeking expressions of interest from employers across the PS who would benefit from taking on an intern matched to business needs.
“For refugees and people seeking asylum, employment is a crucial step towards a fulfilling life in Australia,” the VPSC said
“The Victorian Public Service can offer interns, who are eager to use their skills to serve the community, opportunities to contribute to Victoria,” it said.
“Employers will benefit from the diversity of views and lived experience that refugee and asylum-seeker interns will bring to the workplace.”
The VPSC said the Program was expected to act as a pathway to jobs in the Public Service by providing interns with paid work experience and networking opportunities to help them reach their potential.
The Commission said it would work with CareerSeekers to match interns to suitable roles.
“Managers are supported to onboard and develop their intern and interns are supported with assistance before and during the placement, including cultural workshops,” it said.
The VPSC said employers could express interest in taking an intern until 13 August and the summer Program would run for 12 weeks between November 2021 and February 2022.
Further information on the internship Program, including how to express interest in taking an intern, can be accessed at this PS News link.
