On the 28th May, there was a buzz in the air at Encore Events Centre in Hoppers Crossing when 39 migrants or refugees received certificates enabling them to work in an aged care setting.  Participants came from many and varied countries such as Tibet, Ethiopia, Thailand and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Victorina and Gideon were 2 of 39 graduates who were participants in a pilot training program initiated by MiCare which targeted migrants and refugees who commonly face barriers gaining employment in Australia or who need upskilling to stay in the workforce. The program’s focus is to provide supported employment opportunities whilst addressing MiCare’s growing workforce needs.

Victorina is a Congolese woman who came to Australia in 2019.  She was keen to work and heard of the traineeship program through her community leaders.  She has since gained a Certificate III in Cleaning Operations.  During her training she gained paid experience in one of MiCare’s residential aged care facilities.  She is now a very busy employee of MiCare’ Home Care Services supporting clients in several suburbs in the west such as Sunshine, West Footscray, Wyndham Vale and Hoppers Crossing to name a few.

Gideon is a Karen man who came to Australia in 2007 from Thailand.  Working in the gardening sector of MiCare he expressed an interest in gaining a qualification in this field.  He now has a Certificate III in Parks and Gardens. He, along with other graduated employees, continue to deliver gardening services within MiCare’s residential aged and Home care services, as well as private clients across Melbourne metropolitan regions of Melbourne.

Both employees, who now have transferable skills, have played their small part in reducing the chronic workforce shortages in aged care.  Their experience has also demonstrated that there is a pool of motivated migrants and refugees in Australia who, with relevant on-the-job training, placements and/or non-vocational supports such as childcare, driving lessons and language support, can be readily employed without providers resorting to overseas recruitment.

This unique MiStaff initiative has provided training, work experience and secure employment for some of our most vulnerable and marginalised migrants giving them the self-assurance and confidence required to enter and stay the workforce.  In doing so it worked in partnership with a number of partners including, The Management Edge (a registered training organisation) and Sarina Russo (an apprenticeship provider). Both graduates and guests were pleased to hear a message of support from a representative from the office of the Honourable Brendan O’Connor MP, Minister for Skills and Training and Federal Member for Gorton, expressing his enthusiasm for our initiative to assist with the skills shortage crisis.