Just weeks after graduating from a customised training course, Newcastle-based Afghan refugees Mehrullah Shams and Elina Husseini have launched their own cleaning business.
Ironically, the unveiling of Golden Star Cleaning also coincides with Refugee Week – an annual program celebrating the positive contribution refugees make to Australian society.
From now until Sunday 24 June, suburbs across the nation will host activities, ceremonies and festivals marking the occasion.
For both Mr Shams and Ms Husseini, Refugee Week is a time to reflect on the opportunities their new home country has abounded them.
The pair say the collaboration between the Career Pathways team at TAFE NSW Newcastle, Mosaic Multicultural Connections, Hunter Adults Financial, Ian and Shirley Norman Foundation and Catholic Care has given them a fresh start.
The Department of Home Affairs research shows bridging the educational gap and supporting refugees to gain formal qualifications plays an important role in them securing work.
“Completing the TAFE NSW Skillset program gave me the knowledge I needed to start my own business and as a business owner I can now support other refugees by providing work opportunities for my community,” Mr Shams said.
He and Ms Husseini completed the Skillset Introduction to Cleaning Operations course.
The duo now employs six fellow graduates of the program.
Ms Husseini, who also works at Mosaic Multicultural Connections, assisted the development of the Skillset course and says she hopes to build on this program and continue to develop courses to help refugees gain qualifications.
“Finding a job is so important to help refugees settle into their new home,” she said.
“Most refugees are very keen to work – but don’t have the experience employers are looking for.
“Gaining a qualification, with the support of community organisations, will open doors to wonderful opportunities.”
TAFE NSW head teacher Cassandra Ralph says the goal of the course was to meet the training and education needs of refugees and establish work opportunities in their new home.
“The initiative combined units focused on commercial cleaning, as well as communication skills, Australian work health and safety standards and employability skills,” she said.
“The group really supported each other, which was important as we had four different languages being spoken and some had only been in the country for a short time.
“It is so wonderful to see their success.”
Mosaic Multicultural Connections provided translators to assist with English language barriers and Hunter Adults Financial Collaborative provided mentoring and advice on the Australian Taxation System, business registration and setting up a bank account.
Their service was provided through funding from the Ian and Shirley Norman Foundation.
Catholic Care also assisted by providing employment opportunities in commercial and residential cleaning for the students.
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