I’m an asylum seeker with work rights living in Sydney. As soon as I arrived in Australia, I started working as a volunteer, because I knew that even though I had 15 years’ experience in IT in my country, it would be hard to find a professional job in Australia without local experience. I first volunteered in two places – in an IT company that refurbished computers, and in a community centre, teaching seniors how to use their laptops.
At that time, I was living in a hostel room with 6 other people, so it was very hard for me to find work because I wasn’t sleeping well. Later, I was moved to an accommodation service where I had my own room, but after 3 weeks the staff were pushing me to apply for Centrelink in order to pay the rent. I didn’t want to take that money, and I told them I could find a job in my field.
Luckily, at that time, I was put in touch with Nirary from Refugee Talent, and he very quickly helped me to find part time IT work at two companies – one which imported textiles for school uniforms, and the other with the Refugee Council of Australia.
After that, I told my accommodation provider I had a job, that I didn’t need Centrelink, and that I would be moving out. I’m very grateful to Nirary for helping me in this way.
Koral
Turkey
Arrived 2014
Refugee Talent is a social enterprise which provides an easy to use, online platform that matches companies offering opportunities with skilled refugees seeking work. If you would like to connect, click here: http://refugeetalent.com
Welcome to Australia Koral and thank you for volunteering in our community. Best wishes.
What an admirable man. I hope others take your lead and work hard to show their appreciation for a new beginning.
Very impressive and very employable with this attitude. Every best wish sent your way Koral for a happy and healthy life in your new home.
Welcome to Australia Korel, so pleased you made Australia your new home!
Jess Lizzie could be a great talent source for UL! nice employer brand story…
Welcome!
Welcome Koral ????
Welcome, Koral.Thank you for sharing your story. I hope you have a happy life in your new country.
Welcome to Australia. You will fit in very nicely here. What an inspirational story.
Welcome. You could teach some of our home grown “Aussies” a thing or two about work ethic. I know Australia is better for having you here!
Integrity is always worth it’s weight in gold 🙂 Welcome to Australia Koral!
Australia needs more people like you !
Welcome to Australia Koral, and I hope your life in Australia brings every thing you want for a good life. Thanks for choosing Australia…
Aishvi Shroff hope this gives you an idea about how other expatriates/immigrants are doing things to help get ‘local work experience’. It’s just a series of small steps to take before you get the ideal job
Another lovely person in our Australian society… yay!!
Im so happy i saw this… and so happy something is being done to address this issue. Im a small business and will definitely be registering.
Hoş geldiniz, Koral! Australia is richer having people like you 🙂
Koral, if you need a change from IT you could get a role of an ‘Andrew Denton’ look-a-like..!! 🙂
This is the very message that will change the world in 2017 <3
Welcome to Australia. Am I the only one who sees a spitting image of Andrew Denton?
Great story … welcome! Tragically, we’re still jailing hundreds if not thousands of people like Koral in offshore concentration camps! And govt is doing this in our name!
Fantastic story – but nobody should feel ashamed about accessing the help to which they are entitled. It’s wonderful if you don’t need it, but we have a safety net and there should be no stigma in getting help.
Good for you. Nothing more rewarding than finding a job and being able to support yourself. Volunteering is so satisfying too ????
Welcome to Australia and Thank you for your contribution to this inclusive wonderful society.
Welcome Koral – and congrats on getting a job. Keep in mind that we have welfare because we understand that from time to time (for most), people might need a financial safety net. Good on you for not using it if you didn’t have to, but it’s there so you can survive. The way we say thank you, is to get back on our feet as fast as possible (if possible) and start contributing again via our taxes. Good luck.