Work experience students who have spent the past 12 weeks in ACT Public Service Directorates have completed their postings with a graduation ceremony at the Legislative Assembly.
The 25 participants have developed an understanding of ACT Government workplace culture, gained work experience locally and improved their vocational skills.
Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations, Rachel Stephen-Smith said the number of participants in the round had been increased from 20 to 25 as part of a commitment to provide more workforce participation assistance to migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers settling in the ACT.
She said this round had participants from 13 different nations, which reflects the diverse and vibrant multicultural community that is Canberra.
“Among the graduates, four participants identify as being from a refugee background,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
She said many participants have achieved qualifications and brought years of work experience from their home countries.
“However, we know that migrants often struggle to find employment here because they have no ‘local experience’,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
“This program helps address that.”
Hiran Rupasinghe, who migrated from Sri Lanka in 2015 with 13 years’ experience in banking, said he wanted to contribute his experience and skills to Australia and was lucky enough to take part in the program, where he learned and upskilled himself.
“After four weeks at CIT [Canberra Institute of Technology], we were placed in different ACT Government Directorates for eight weeks,” Mr Rupasinghe said.
“I’ve had the opportunity to learn and refresh my knowledge in very useful subjects designed in the course.”
