Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Visiting National Australia Bank (NAB) in Docklands, Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan and Minister for Multicultural Affairs Robin Scott today announced $550,000 in funding for Jesuit Social Services to help more African Australians and other migrants into meaningful jobs.

The Corporate Social Inclusion Partnerships grant will enable Jesuit Social Services to reduce the labour market disadvantage experienced by many jobseekers.

Jesuit Social Services will build on the success of NAB and Jesuit’s African-Australian Inclusion Program (AAIP) – which has helped place 300 people into work, with 75 per cent of participants having secured on-going jobs.

The program currently provides African Australians with six months of paid corporate experience at NAB in roles such as finance, IT, business administration, corporate responsibility, project management and marketing.

Participants become familiar with local workplace culture, build their professional networks, update their CVs and obtain references once their placement has ended.

Among those successfully placed into employment with NAB is Sudanese-born Atway Akec who is building a career in commerce.

Jesuit Social Services is one of many providers linked to the Labor Government’s $63.3 million Jobs Victoria initiative. It will help generate employment for up to 5,000 Victorians who face barriers to work.