A ‘SPARK’ has been ignited ahead of a new training program specifically designed for migrants in the ACT. Photo: Ginninderry.
“There are so many people who come to Australia, fully qualified in their fields, but can’t use their qualifications,” says Umbrella Collective director Emma Sckrabei as she summarises the plight of many Australian migrants and refugees.
This issue inspired a specifically designed training program for migrants and refugees looking for opportunities to understand the renewable energy industry in the Canberra region.
Run as part of the Ginninderry SPARK initiative, the innovative Renewables Pre-employment Program for Migrants and Refugees focusses on providing entry level qualifications for education, training and employment pathways within the renewables sector.
The SPARK program is Ginninderry’s unique training and employment initiative born out of a commitment to improve the educational, social and economic outcomes of Canberra job seekers.
Since starting in 2016, SPARK has delivered significant outcomes including 1672 training places, 707 work experience placements and 845 jobs.
Ginninderry head of sustainability and community development Jessica Stewart says she is thrilled to launch this year’s program.
“SPARK has always been an important initiative for the team at Ginninderry. SPARK offers a different way of learning and upskilling for those people who are disconnected from the labour market,” Jessica says.
“It is a unique opportunity to get into training and employment pathways that some people might not otherwise have the chance to participate in.”
Jessica says for those hesitant in taking part in the program for financial reasons, it’s not a problem.
“The cost of training is often a barrier for many people – particularly with the current cost-of-living crisis,” she says.
“SPARK puts the needs of its participants first – providing free training and wrap-around support so that each person can focus on learning the skills of their trade. SPARK is all about giving participants confidence in themselves, providing them with greater skills and knowledge so they can continue with further training, gain work experience or progress into employment.”
“All of these elements – the wrap-around support, the PPE [personal protective equipment], the networking opportunities and site tours – give SPARK participants a much greater insight into the industry and the confidence and skills to get a job or continue to further qualifications.”
The SPARK Renewables Pre-employment Program for Migrants and Refugees is made possible through a collaboration between Ginninderry, Canberra Institute of Technology, Neoen, The Umbrella Collective, Uniting Care Kippax, Multicultural Hub Canberra, Workforce Australia, Construction Industry Training Council and the ACT Training Fund Authority.
Ms Sckrabei says she is excited to see what the collaboration can do to help migrants living in Canberra find employment.
“We want to get as many people involved in the program as possible and help them upskill their qualifications and skills to make them more hireable in Australia.”
Participants will not only have the opportunity to get the standard working tickets to enter a construction site with their White Card, Silica and Asbestos Awareness accreditation, the program also provides non-accredited training in Australian workplace culture, bullying and harassment prevention and conversational English.
Those taking part in the training course will also be given the personal and protective equipment they need to work, undertake tours to renewable energy sites around the region and hear from guest speakers from within the industry.
Ginninderry plans to deliver further fee-free SPARK programs in civil construction, general construction, and early childhood education and care through 2024 and 2025.
Ginninderry continues to include work experience and job placement requirements in key procurement contracts for capital works and provides live training sites for use as outdoor classrooms to build new skills for the community.
An information session for the SPARK Renewables Pre-employment Program is on Tuesday 20 August. For more details visit Ginninderry or call 1800 316 900.
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