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Integreat Queensland Newsletter August 2022

Welcome to the August edition of the Integreat Queensland Newsletter.

Earlier this year, when establishing our strategic priorities, our board was very clear that to achieve our goals, we needed to explore more opportunities to apply a business solution to address a community need.

In my previous role in Victoria, when establishing a social enterprise, I was fortunate to undertake an accelerator program with Social Traders (In Melbourne); from there to learn more, I first attended the SEWF in 2018 in Edinburgh, Scotland, and the Regional & Rural Social Enterprise Forum in the Outer Hebrides.

The Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) is being held in Brisbane this September. I, three Board members, and Jaclyn (whose story is below) are attending the forum next month, which is a great opportunity for us to further our knowledge and grow our network.

Social Traders (www.socialtraders.com.au) is one of the leading Australian organisations working in this space, they currently provide the only accreditation in Australia.

The three models of Social Enterprise:

1. The ‘Employment Generating’ model (for example, Disability employment enterprises)

2. The Community Need model provides products & services to meet community needs (for example, many would know of Food Co-Operatives)

3. The Profit Redistribution model enables profit to be made traditionally and then distributed to a defined cause (One that I use is ‘Who Gives a Crap’ toilet paper, for every box I buy, 50% of the profit goes to helping sanitation in third world countries).

I look forward to sharing more in the future; in the meantime, please do make contact with us if you are interested in knowing more about what we are doing.

Thanks.

Julie Pettett

General Manager – Integreat Queensland

Local business supporting migrant women to find and secure work.

Integreat Queensland’s Get Work Ready program is a 12-week job ready program where migrant women study workplace English, resume and cover letter writing, effective use of job search platforms, interview skills, and other useful topics related to employment.

To make sure the Get Work Program assists participants in getting real work experience, they undertake a 12-week work placement related to their career interests. To support some of our Get Work Ready program placements, Integreat Queensland work with the Gladstone Engineering Alliance (GEA), who have an alliance of 200+ member businesses working in the Engineering, Manufacturing and Supply Chain Services.

GEA member officer Jason Lalo said the GEA approached their members and asked if they would be involved with the Get Work Ready program.

“We were able to talk to about 50 business and offer the resumes of the women and we eventually manage to place four women with local businesses,” Jason said.

Jason said it was a challenging process for GEA as the association had not gone placed trainee migrant women into their members businesses before.

“The challenge was a lot of our members are extremely busy with what is happening in their own business with many not having the time to concentrate on a trainee however some saw the program could be of benefit to help them fill the gaps in their skilling requirements,” he said.

“Our member businesses were initially afraid of what they were getting because of what was listed on the women’s resumes and they were unsure if the women could relate to their business.

“However, what we found is the Get Work Ready program opened a window allowing the businesses to not only work with and see how migrant women work, but it also removed any stigma they may have had by communicating directly and working with them.

“We found once the businesses had worked with them they saw the benefit of having diversity in their business as they provided great exposure and gave their staff the opportunity to understand the women’s culture and after the 12-week program was finalized, they realised they could take on more trainees and support the program further.”

If you’re a business that would like to take part in the Get Work Ready program and support migrant women in entering the workforce in Gladstone or Rockhampton, phone Integreat Queensland on 4903 1931 or email admin@integreatqld.org.au.

Jason Lalo from the Gladstone Engineering Alliance and Integreat Queensland Facilitator Jaclyn Thompson.

Meet a Board Member – Vosawale Tamani.

Integreat Queensland would like to introduce you to our Vice President, Vosawale Tamani. Vosawale brings a wealth of experience to Integreat Queensland. She is a highly experienced leader of large-scale programs with extensive expertise in creating, deploying, and evaluating multinational strategies. She is currently Head of Corporate Sustainability and Financial Inclusion as well as Pacific Communications for ANZ in the retail Asia Pacific division. Her responsibilities support & enhance ANZ’s brand and its footprint as a good corporate citizen.

Originally from Fiji and having visited Australia many times, nothing prepared Vosawale and her family for the changes that they needed to make when they finally moved to Australia. She said there was still a significant transition period in understanding how things worked.

“I came to Australia as an expatriate through the bank however, having said that it didn’t mean I found it easy,” she said.

“My family and I had to navigate life in Australia and work things out like placing our children into social and sporting clubs, finding the right schools for them, living in the right suburb, understanding the education system, and even simple things like garbage days to enable us as a family to integrate into the community. People assume you know these things but you learn to find out things for yourself including finding the right support & networks to make the transition easier.

“Finding the right support when you first come to Australia can be difficult which is one of the reasons I became a board member of Integreat Queensland. The association assists people coming from other countries and acts as a bridge for immigrants to understand the local landscape with confidence.”

Vosawale said when the family moved to Queensland from Victoria, she wanted to use the skills she’d harnessed over the years and transfer those skills into something that would specifically add value to the Gladstone community.

“I understand what it is like to arrive in Australia as a foreigner and having to find your way firsthand like we experienced as a family. Integreat Queensland seemed like the perfect fit for me to provide insight because of my experience & transfer my professional skills.”

Some of the initiatives delivered by Vosawale have included Skilled volunteer programs that have allowed bankers to transfer their skills to not for profit organisations, partnering with local community partners to enhance the development of financial wellbeing, economic empowerment programs like ANZ’s flagship financial literacy programs across 23 countries in the region. The financial literacy programs have included a domestic violence version, Business Basics for budding entrepreneurs, MoneyMinded for personal finances & more recently a micro qualification in developing personal financial capability.

“My experience in helping people from different countries and cultures has allowed me to be culturally aware with a heightened sensitivity to be able to deal with different communities and meet their needs in a way that they need to be understood. I hope to bring this experience to Integreat Queensland and look forward to adding value in whatever way I can.”

Integreat Queensland Vice President, Vosawale Tamani.

Students begin a pathway to a new career.

This week saw 14 students begin Integreat Queensland’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work program in obtaining their Cert III in Individual Support.

The students, who come from all over the world and now live in Gladstone, began Integreat Queensland’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work program which offers a suite of targeted skills and training programs supporting local migrants to gain the skills, qualifications and experience needed to enter and stay in the workforce.

Cert III in Individual Support allows the students to gain practical skills such as first aid, manual handling, and other skills, essential to working as a Support Worker. The training also includes 120 hours of work experience at a local service provider in Gladstone.

At Integreat Queensland we believe it’s a win-win for both the participants and for the service providers who, at the end of the course, will be able to fill current staff shortages with qualified, work-ready staff.

Integreat Queensland are currently recruiting those who wish to obtain a Certificate III in Hospitality. If you would like to kick start your new career with a qualification in an industry which has many vacancies and opportunities, contact Integreat Queensland today on 4903 1931 or email admin@integreatqld.org.au

These courses are proudly funded by the Queensland Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work program.

Some of the students who began their Cert III in Individual Support this week.

Integreat Queensland to attend the Social Enterprise World Forum 2022 in Brisbane.

Next month, two Integreat Queensland staff and three board members will attend the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) 2022 in Brisbane.

Integreat Queensland Learning Facilitator Jaclyn Thompson said the Social Enterprise World Forum brings together the global social enterprise community and provides a space for purpose-led people, policymakers, philanthropists, intermediaries, and entrepreneurs to connect, learn and hopefully, be inspired.

“Social Enterprises are often referred to as for-purpose businesses that use a business model to achieve social outcomes,” Jaclyn said.

“This year the Social Enterprise World Forum is expected to attract over 1000 people and over 2000 people who will attend the conference digitally.

In 2022, Jaclyn was successful in receiving a bursary to attend the conference for Integreat Queensland.

“The application included a three minute video recording which was very nerve wracking, but I am so glad that I was chosen and will be able to attend the conference,” she said.

“For Integreat Queensland, this is a great opportunity to learn more about how we can hit the ground running with our food van and catering social enterprise, The Moving Feast.

“We are looking forward to connecting with like-minded people, expanding our network, and gaining new knowledge about the exciting world of social enterprise.”

Sivapriya secures her desired career through the Get Work Ready program.

It is well known migrant women often struggle to find work in Australia. A lack of language skills, Australian experience and cross-cultural misunderstandings can provide barriers however, for Indian born Sivapriya Kannan, finding work wasn’t the problem, it was moving around Australia and Queensland following her husband’s work that made it difficult to build her career.

“I have been in Australia for 14 years,” Sivapriya said. “I came to Australia with my husband and since then, I have been trying to be independent and find my career of choice.”

Sivapriya said her chosen career is to be an accountant and while she was doing part time work at Woolworths as a cashier, she was also completing a Cert III & IV in Financial Services and looking for work as any entry level.

“Due to my husband’s career growth, we have to move and often it’s short stays,” she said. “We moved from Brisbane to Moranbah and then to Gladstone and Perth and even a year India. Due to this I’ve had to change my career goals frequently.

“Finally, we moved back to Gladstone which is where I decided to put a hold on finding a career until my children became independent so while in that process, I volunteered at schools to assist students with their numeracy and literacy skills.”

In 2019, Sivapriya became aware of Integreat Queensland and the services the association provides to migrant women. She started taking part in several programs and in 2022, Sivapriya took part in the Get Work Ready program. Get Work Ready is a 6-month program designed to support skilled migrant women to gain the skills, experience, and the confidence they need, to gain employment in their chosen field.

“I saw the Get Work Ready program as a great opportunity and participated in every activity Integreat Queensland provided,” she said.

“After a completed the courses, I was placed with the Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Ltd (GAPDL) who work within the tourism industry and placed in their accounts department.

“The experience was amazing, and it really helped me understand and work in a real work environment and to find my strengths. They have a great team at the GAPDL and I felt really privileged to be able to learn with them and work with their people.”

Integreat Queensland’s Get Work Ready program is a 12-week job ready program where participants study workplace English, resume and cover letter writing, effective use of job search platforms, interview skills, and other useful topics related to employment. Participants then undertake a 12-week work placement in a job related to their career interests.

If you would like to take part in the next Get Work Ready program call (07) 4903 1931 or email admin@integreatqld.org.au

The Get Work Ready program is delivered by Integreat Queensland and funded by the Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Women’s Leadership and Development Program.

Sivapriya (left) and Anna taking part in Integreat Queensland’s Get Work Ready program.

Integreat Queensland Programs and Events

Gladstone

Online – Let’s Talk English Conversational Class for Central Queensland.

Did you know we offer free conversational English classes? Integreat Queensland’s Let’s Talk Conversational English classes are exactly what the name suggests. They provide a safe and comfortable setting where those who might not otherwise have the opportunity, can improve, and gain confidence in their spoken English. We cover practical themes like ‘visiting the doctor’ and ‘going grocery shopping’ to help empower participants in their everyday lives.

Most of all, however, our Let’s Talk Conversational English classes offer the opportunity for people to practice their speaking skills in a supportive and non-judgemental environment. The classes are in an informal setting to encourage connection and confidence in communicating, making new friends and learning new things.

When: Wednesdays (during school term)
Time: 6pm – 7pm
Where: Online (link will be provided after you register)
Cost: Free. Registration required

*Participants can join anytime during the term.

To register or for more information, please contact Integreat Queensland on 07 4903 1931 or email admin@rikkiintegreatqld-org-au

Gladstone – Let’s Talk English Conversational Class.

Did you know we offer face to face free conversational English classes? Integreat Queensland’s Let’s Talk Conversational English classes are exactly what the name suggests. They provide a safe and comfortable setting where those who might not otherwise have the opportunity, can improve, and gain confidence in their spoken English. We cover practical themes like ‘visiting the doctor’ and ‘going grocery shopping’ to help empower participants in their everyday lives.

When: Thursdays (during school term) We start the classes in the 2nd week of the school term
Time: 1pm – 2:30pm
Where: 1a Manning St, South Gladstone
Cost: Free. Registration required
*Participants can join anytime during the term.

To register or for more information, please contact Integreat Queensland on 07 4903 1931 or email admin@rikkiintegreatqld-org-au

Gladstone – Little Steps Multicultural Playgroup (Tuesdays)

Integreat Queensland and Playgroup Queensland invite you and your family to our next Little Steps multicultural playgroup.

Our Playgroups are informal sessions where mums, dads, grandparents, carers, children, and babies meet each week in a relaxed environment. At Playgroup, families are given the opportunity to connect with other families in their local communities, to share knowledge, seek advice and gain invaluable support.

When: Every Tuesday & Friday from 9:30am to 11:30am (during school term)
Where: Philip Street Families and Communities Precinct – 1 Pengelly St, Gladstone.
Free: Everyone with children from 0 to 5 years old are welcome.

*To make sure everyone is safe as possible, we will be limiting our numbers to 25 parents (children) so please do register for the day you would like to come.

To register and for more info, please contact Jess by email: littlesteps@integreatqld.org.au or phone 07 4903 1931

Networx – Learn how network with LinkedIn.

Are you a skilled migrant, a recent graduate, or someone who has recently moved to Gladstone? Are you looking for a way to build your professional network?

Networx is a fortnightly meeting that will help you to develop your networking skills and build your professional network in a positive & supportive environment.

Professional networking can help you to advance your career, get career advice or support, build confidence, and strengthen connections or partnerships.

Special guest speaker: Kieran Moran from LinkedIn Local Gladstone.

When: 23rd August (Every second Tuesday)
Time: 5:30-7pm. The main program starts at 6pm
Location: Integreat Queensland, 1 Manning St, South Gladstone

*Light snacks & refreshments are provided.

Participants do not need to commit to every session, but we recommend coming as often as you can to get the most out of the program.

*Stay tuned as we confirm more exciting guest speakers and mentors.

To register for the program, please click here.

Rockhampton

Rockhampton: Sisterlife Circle.

Join our circle of support, information, and celebration. Our goal is to create a deep, authentic connection amongst women to participate in topical discussions and where everyone has the opportunity to discuss a challenge they may be having or a success we can all celebrate.

The SisterLife Circle is a safe and supportive environment for women to meet, share and connect.

For more information or to register by phone, please call 07 4903 1931 or email admin@integreatqld.org.au

When: August 25th, 2022 1:00 PM through 2:30 PM
Location: 223 Campbell St, Rockhampton.

To register, connect here now.

Rockhampton: Little Steps Multicultural Playgroup.

Integreat Queensland and Playgroup Queensland invite you and your family to our next Little Steps multicultural playgroup.

When: Every Tuesday from 9:30am to 11:30am (during school term)
Where: Integreat Queensland – 223 Campbell St, Rockhampton.
Free: Everyone with children from 0 to 5 years old are welcome.

To register and for more info, please contact us by email: admin@integreatqld.org.au or phone 07 4903 1931.

This program is an initiative delivered by Integreat Queensland Inc. in partnership with Capricorn Communities for Children Facilitating Partner. Capricorn Communities for Children Facilitating Partner is funded by the Australian Government and facilitated by The Smith Family.