Chantal Mousad had a profitable profession as a high-flying banker earlier than escaping the Syrian conflict greater than a decade in the past.
After fleeing to neighbouring Iraq, she ultimately resettled in Australia, the place she slogged it out in menial jobs earlier than climbing again up the company ladder.
“It was very difficult to find a job when I arrived,” Ms Mousad informed AAP.
“Employers told me they don’t care so much about what kind of qualification you have, they care more about the experience in an Australian work environment.”
Her two years’ expertise working as a chief threat officer at a good regional financial institution in Iraq weren’t sufficient – she was informed she wanted native expertise.
“I was applying for basic positions in the finance and banking sector. I wouldn’t even get any phone calls,” she mentioned.
Ms Mousad had a grasp’s diploma in finance however to make ends meet she labored for years as a cleaner, removalist and store assistant to assist herself and her daughter.
Research performed by the University of Sydney and the Crescent Foundation signifies her expertise is way from distinctive, with employers hesitant to take an opportunity on refugees.
Employers haven’t got the time or sources to make use of or practice refugees, though they could have the talents firms search – notably in a good labour market.
“Refugees want to work and employers say they are willing to hire them, but our research found a substantial gap between employer intentions and actions,” lead writer Betina Szkudlarek mentioned.
She mentioned refugees differed from others within the job market.
“One of the massive misunderstandings around refugees is that they are not like any other group of migrants coming to you who might have gone through an extensive process of thinking, strategising and have connections locally, which might open some doors,” Dr Szkudlarek mentioned.
A good portion of the companies interviewed for the examine mentioned media and authorities portrayals of refugees fuelled prejudice and misconceptions.
“Employers should start slowly to realise that refugees are people that went through way much more than any of us can ever imagine,” Dr Szkudlarek mentioned.
Less than half of the businesses that participated within the report mentioned English language difficulties hindered them from recruiting refugees, whereas a number of anticipated new hires to hit the bottom working with out coaching.
Dr Szkudlarek really helpful employers associate with assist organisations to match expert refugees with acceptable jobs.
“Hiring refugees is good for business as much as it is good for disadvantaged job-seekers who are eager to rebuild their lives in Australia,” she mentioned.
The Albanese authorities dedicated greater than $9 million within the finances in the direction of bettering employment outcomes for refugees and migrants.
CareerSeekers, a social enterprise supporting refugees and asylum seekers, was the lacking piece in Ms Mousad getting her profession on observe.
The group managed to safe her a 12-week internship with the Commonwealth Bank.
That placement translated into her shifting up the ladder on the financial institution, earlier than taking a job at Westpac as a senior supervisor.
Ms Mousad is pleased with her achievements, however she says they’d not have been doable with out an employer giving her a go.
“As refugees we don’t have access to many tools that can help us and let us be successful,” she mentioned.
“Without a chance being given to me, I couldn’t secure all these jobs.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
