Given the opportunity to work

Twenty-two-year-old Selam moved to Australia in 2013 as a teenager. Having left most of her family behind in Ethiopia, she only had her brother here for support when she arrived.

Upon settling in Australia, Selam experienced many of the same issues new migrants face, including feelings of isolation, language barriers and concerns about “fitting in”.

Selam struggled to find part-time work after completing secondary school. “I didn’t know what type of work to look for or how to update my resume,” she says. “I dropped it in at so many places, but I rarely got a call back. When I did, I wasn’t ever able to get past the interview stage.”

After almost a year of looking for work, Selam was recommended BSL by a friend. That’s when she met Noura from our partner The Huddle, and Gabrielle at our Jobs Victoria Employment Network Flemington.

Noura and Gabrielle supported and encouraged Selam, not only by helping her to update her resume, but also by enrolling her into an interview skills training course. They also encouraged her to apply for a three-month internship at BSL’s Community Centre in Broadmeadows – which she successfully obtained.

“This internship was my first ever paid job. The job gave me a lot of confidence and opened a lot of opportunities for me,” says Selam. “My communication, administration and writing skills improved a lot. And the team was so nice and supportive.”

From there, Selam’s determination grew. She completed a Diploma in Leadership and Management and gained experience working on BSL’s Urban Camp school
engagement program.

With this experience under her belt and the support of Noura and Gabrielle, Selam was ready to apply for an Authorised Officer role at Metro Trains. After a lengthy
interview and training process, Selam secured the role and has been working at Metro for the last year.

“My message to others in similar situations is don’t give up, seek help and keep moving forward – you never know what opportunities might be around the corner.”

Finally, Selam has a note of thanks to the team at BSL. “Thank you for always being there to support me. I’m so happy to have found stability in my current role at Metro Trains and I’m excited for my future.”

Jobs Victoria Employment Network Flemington is supported by the Victorian Government through Jobs Victoria. Eligible Jobseekers from Melbourne’s western, northern and south eastern suburbs, and the Mornington Peninsula receive one-on-one assistance to create an employment pathway.

Similarly, our Multicultural Communities Team provide responsive services that build on the strengths migrants bring and work alongside them to understand aspirations, build capacity social and economic participation.

This includes help navigating the Australian working cultures, interview skills and connection with employment opportunities. Everything is done with a focus on developing new skills and renewing confidence.

To learn more visit bsl.org.au/services