Palmera Projects
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre Empowerment Project
Asylum seekers continue to face an array of barriers to full participation in Australian society, including language barriers, limited rights to work and lack of access to Medicare and welfare benefits resulting in them becoming victims of the poverty cycle. The ASRC (Asylum Seeker Resource Centre) has assisted over 7000 people seeking asylum, provided more than 1 million hours of free assistance and turned no one in need away. Since opening their doors in June 2001, the ASRC has become the largest provider of aid, advocacy and health services for asylum seekers in Australia. Working directly with asylum seekers, both living in our community and detention, to provide direct aid and support as they seek refugee status in Australia. While asylum seekers are increasingly being granted the right to work, a current shortage of jobs and the additional barriers faced by asylum seekers – mean that asylum seekers who have the right to work have an unemployment rate that is 10 to 12 times greater than the national average. In addition, asylum seekers are excluded from the key pathways that all Australians have access to when it comes to education and employment. Destitute asylum seekers are charged overseas students fees for all post secondary education and are not eligible for mainstream employment and education services, including Job Services Australia or Federal Government funded training, ESL or welfare programs. Asylum seekers who are entitled to work are therefore left to their own device, in a new culture where the employment market is unfamiliar. The unfamiliarity includes not knowing what a resume is, or never having had a job interview and not understanding what an employer or recruiter may expect of them. Other barriers to employment can include lack of recognition for qualifications obtained overseas, the stigma attached to asylum seekers (many employers do not know they have work rights), the stress of trying to rebuild a life after suffering severe trauma, insufficient English and (very pragmatically) lack of access to their own transport Lack of employment not only contributes to the destitution faced by asylum seekers but also prevents asylum seekers from fully participating in and contributing to their local community. This next project 'Asylum Seeker Participation Program' seeks to address these problems holistically The ASRC is establishing an Asylum Seeker Participation Program to provide vocational development for asylum seekers through work experience, volunteering, training and employment pathways. Through training and practical experience in a range of areas, including food handling, administration and customer service, the Program will enable asylum seekers to gain valuable skills and experience and increase their chances of finding employment, participating fully in community life and ultimately becoming entirely self sufficient. PROJECT AIMS Work experience programs in food handling, administration and customer service Practical skills training programs Volunteer opportunities Mentoring by ASRC staff, volunteers and other asylum seekers Opportunities for asylum seekers to contribute to the operation and strategic direction of the ASRC THE IMPACT Gaining vocational training and experience not only provides practical opportunities to gain skills but also raises cross-cultural awareness and familiarises asylum seekers with working in the Australian context. Full participation by asylum seekers benefits not only the asylum seekers themselves, but enables the broader community to benefit from the valuable skills and experience asylum seeker bring. Asylum seekers who are able to fully participate in professional and social environments have a better chance of integrating into Australian society. When asylum seekers are able to work, society is enhanced through increased social, human and economic capital, exposure to diverse skills and increased tolerance and understanding of the circumstances of other people. KEY BENEFITS Increased awareness of the Australian workplace culture Preparation for employment in specific vocational areas Empowerment to take greater control of their situation Acquisition of knowledge and skills, including: basic skills, social interaction skills, communication and vocational skills. Increased self confidence, motivation, initiative, problem-solving, ability to make independent choices, leadership, organisation skills