Working the Australian Way

Transcription

1 AMES Research Report AMES Working the Australian Way A corporate workshop for professionally qualified migrants

2 About AMES Vision Full participation for all in a cohesive and diverse society. AMES is the largest provider of services for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Australia. Services provided by AMES in Victoria include a comprehensive range of settlement, English language and employment programs. More than 38, people accessed AMES programs in 212. Employment is an essential cornerstone in the process of successful settlement for most new migrants. AMES supports a range of innovative programs to assist people arriving in Australia to find good quality work. This research considers the impact of Working the Australian Way, a two day workshop designed to connect professionally qualified migrants with the corporate sector. AMES delivers this workshop with corporate partners twice a year. Acknowledgements AMES would like to thank: All the past participants of Working the Australian Way who shared their experiences of the workshop with us. All the companies who contributed to the workshop Senior staff from the following companies who shared their insights into the workshop for this research: AiGroup, Australian Taxation Office, Australian Unity, Chandler Macleod, IBM, Telstra and Transfield Services. We would also like to acknowledge the support, drive and commitment of Leigh Purnell, Convenor of the Corporate Leaders Network. Working the Australian Way Corporate partners Telstra IBM Australian Taxation Office Chandler Macleod AiGroup Transfield Services Australian Unity Australia Post NAB BlueScope Devereux Group Published by AMES Research and Policy Unit Authors: Monica O Dwyer and Stella Mulder AMES July 213 1

3 Contents 1. Introduction 3 2. Research Design 5 3. Working the Australian Way: Participants 7 4. Value of the workshop: Participant Perspective 9 5. Value of the workshop: Corporate Perspective Working the Australian Way into the Future 15 Working the Australian Way 2

4 1. Introduction New professionally qualified migrants to Australia can face considerable challenges in finding work in their field. Difficulties may include a lack of knowledge about the labour market and recruitment practices, not having qualifications recognised by employers and limited access to professional networks. For some people there may be barriers in relation to English language. There is also the possibility of discrimination when looking for a job. Working the Australian Way is a two-day workshop designed to assist professionally qualified migrants to address these challenges by connecting them with leading Australian companies. The objective of the workshop is to help migrants be well prepared for jobs that use their expertise and experience. Corporate Leaders Network and Working the Australian Way Working the Australian Way is an initiative of the Corporate Leaders Network, a group of prominent companies in Australia with a commitment to social responsibility who share a vision to help professional migrants find work in Australia: I think it s part of our corporate social responsibility to be involved in these things. It s just one way that we can give back to the community. We see how worthwhile it is and it is to better the community so it s a great thing to be involved with. [Corporate interview] Corporate partners work closely with AMES to develop a practical agenda to support participants in their search for work. The workshop gives participants an opportunity to meet with senior executives from high profile Australian companies. Participants get advice about professional interviews as well as insights into Australian workplace cultures. The workshop is interactive with an emphasis on practising interviewing and starting up new professional networks. It is also a chance to meet with other people in a similar situation and share resources and experiences. As one of the workshop participants put it: The workshop was really valuable - to meet corporate people who gave directions and paths we need to follow. They suggested many ideas about how to search for a job, showed us what we didn t realise before. These were very important to gain work in Australia. It built confidence and motivation to be something in Australia. [Computer Engineer from India, female] The workshop was established in 21 and is held twice a year over two days in Melbourne. Almost 2 participants from diverse backgrounds including engineering, accounting and IT have attended a workshop. Invitations for the workshop are extended to people who have recently completed an intensive employment preparation course with AMES, are job ready and have a high level of English. The workshop provides the final icing on the cake - a chance to reinforce what they have just learned as well as an opportunity to engage with the corporate sector. 3

5 In this report we document the experiences and work outcomes of people who attended one of six workshops held between 21 and 212. We spoke with both participants and company leaders with a view to understanding how best to scale up and improve the workshop for future migrants to Australia. Key Facts 73% of participants started a new job after the workshop, almost all within three months. Two thirds of working participants were in a job that fully or partially matched their background. 74% said the workshop was useful for their job search in Australia. Participants said the workshop gave them new confidence as well as strategies and networks for finding professional work in Australia. Working the Australian Way enables companies to demonstrate leadership and make a positive social contribution. Case Study Gabriela* arrived in Australia from Venezuela in 211. She has a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and worked as a project manager for a telecommunications company in Venezuela for four years. Gabriela participated in Working the Australian Way in May 211. She found her first job, a short-term contract with a building services consultancy, just after this. This was followed by a full time role as an engineer with an international ICT company. This is the job Gabriela currently has. While this job is not quite at the level at which she would like to be working, Gabriela says she enjoys the work and the relationships she has with the building teams. She is hoping to work in project management again in the future. Gabriela is very positive about Working the Australian Way. She describes the workshop as a source of valuable information and support: The way they teach you to tailor the resume, to map your skills to what they are looking for, [it s] very important, the first step. If you don t pass that step it s really difficult to get anywhere. *Names in all case studies have been changed. Working the Australian Way 4

6 2. research Design The objective of this research was to find out how well Working the Australian Way works in assisting professionally qualified migrants to find work in their field. To answer this question we interviewed both past participants and corporate partners. Interviews with workshop participants AMES conducted 12 semi-structured telephone interviews with past participants of the workshop. These interviews were SECTION ONE - Figure 1 Figure 1: Number of participants by year of workshop 8 intended to elicit detailed information about people s work history both overseas and in Australia, and their experience of the workshop. Starting with a complete list of everyone who had completed a workshop between 21 and 212 we attempted to contact all 199 participants by telephone or . We were able to contact 133 (67%) of the original participants. Of this group, 12 (9%) agreed to an interview. 6 Number of Participants Year of Workshop Workshop participants Contacted Interviewed 5 Figure 2 rticipants Overall Workshop participants Contacted Interviewed Contacted 58% 57% 84% 67% Contacted who agreed to interview Percent interviewed overall 89% 82% 97% 9% 52% 46% 81% 6% The people we interviewed were broadly representative of the original workshop participants in terms of gender, age and length of time in Australia. Original workshop participants came from 38 countries from across the globe and we contacted people from all regions for this research.

7 Year of Workshop Workshop participants Contacted Interviewed Figure 2: Number of participants by region of origin Figure 2 Number of Participants Workshop participants Contacted Interviewed Asia India & Region Middle East Latin America Europe & Region of Origin Russia Africa Figure 3 Figure 4 Workshop participants % 5% Contacted Contacted 59% who agreed to interview Percent interviewed overall 52% 66% 73% 68% 65% 27% 6% years Male 87% years There are several issues to consider when interpreting the reasons for their involvement, their views on the value of the Female 45-6 years results of this research. workshop and future challenges and possibilities. In addition to We were unable to contact one third of past participants. A small number of people we did contact declined to participate. These participants may have had different experiences not captured in this report. this, 16 corporate volunteers completed a separate online survey. Ethics This project was approved under the AMES Social Research This research was conducted internally by AMES. and Ethics Policy 211. The research conforms to the principles Participant responses may have been influenced by their of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human past or present interactions with other AMES services. Research 27 which aims to minimise potential harms for research participants. AMES takes seriously its obligations to The length of time between the workshop and the interview ensure participation is entirely voluntary and that participant was up to 2 years. For some people accurate recall of the privacy is protected. workshop and its impact may have been difficult. Corporate interviews 41% Asia India & region We also interviewed seven senior managers who are members of the Corporate Leaders Network and who have assisted in developing the workshop. These interviews canvassed the Middle East Latin America Europe & Russia Interviewed Contacted 59% 75% 77% 68% 65% 45% 67% Africa Overall 87% 89% 95% 1% 1% 6% 9% Working the Australian Way 6

8 Figure 2 viewed Europe & Russia Europe & Russia Working the Australian Way: 6 Participants Number of Participants 4 The participants were a highly motivated group of people keen Figure Figure 5: 5Time in Australia at interview to use 2 2 their professional skills in Australia. While some had just completed their graduate studies and had arrived without work 6 experience, most were in the early to mid-stages of their careers and some had considerable experience in their field prior to Asia India & Region Middle East 4 Latin America Europe & coming to Australia. Region of Origin Russia Figure 2 5 Figure 3: 3Gender of participants Figure 4 59% Workshop participants Contacted 4: Age of participants Figure 4 Interviewed 41% Workshop participants Contacted Gender Interviewed Men N 49 % 41% Women 71 59% Total 12 1% iddle East Latin America Europe & Region of Origin Russia 8% 5% Africa years years 15 87% years years 9 8% Total 45-6 years 12 1% Workshop participants Contacted Interviewed Male Female years Africa 87% years 45-6 years Age N % years 6 5% Africa 6 Workshop participants Figure 5 Contacted Interviewed 6 Figure 2 6: 6Length of overseas work experience 6 Figure 7 < 1 Year Africa 1-2 Years 6 8% 5% < 1 Year 1-2 Years 2-5 Years > 5 Years 4 Time in Australia N % < 1 year 11 9% Figure years 37 31% 4 2 No Professional Experience No Professional Experience % 1% 2% 3% 4% Other^ 5% Work Overseas Up to 5 Years 5-1 Years 1 Years Figure 7 or more 5-1 Years 1 Years or more None Sales & Service Clerical & Admin Other^ 5-1 years Science 29 % Research 24% & Professional 1% 2% Figure 7 Up to 5 Years 1 years or more 18 Business 15% Work Overseas & ManagementQualification Total 12 1% Accounting & Finance None 4 Figure years 6 5% years < 5 years 12 1% < 1 Year 87% 1-2 Years Years - 44 years > 5 Years 4Total 12 1% No Professional Up to 45-6 years Experience 5 Years 4 2 Overseas Experience Count N No professional experience 24 2% Up to 5 years 49 41% Sales & Service IT Clerical Engineering & Admin Qualification Science Research & Professional Business & Management Accounting & Finance S

9 Overseas qualifications and work The main professions represented were Engineering, IT, Accounting and Finance. However, there were participants from a wide range of backgrounds including Architecture, Pharmacy, Graphic Design and Human Resources. Across this diverse group of professionals there was a large amount of expertise in areas highly relevant to the Australian workforce. Figure 7 Figure 7: Overseas work and qualifications Figure 15 3 Engineering Qualification Overseas Work N Overseas % N Australia % Engineering 42 34% 25 21% 2 IT 3 25% 26 22% Accounting & Finance 17 14% 15 13% 1 Business & Management 15 13% 15 12% Science, Research and Professional 13 11% 8 7% Other^ 2 2% 5 4% Engineering IT IT Accounting & Finance Accounting & Finance Business & Management Business & Management Qualification Science, Research & Professional Science, Research & Professional Clerical and Administration % 9 8% Sales & Service % 7 6% None 1 1% 1 7% Total 12 1% 12 1% ^Other qualifications included teaching and agricultural courses. Other work included teaching and small business ownership. Other^ Other Clerical & Administration Clerical & Administration Work overseas Sales & Service Sales & Service None Not Worked Case Study Babak came to Australia from Iran in 21. He has a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and worked as a Mechanical Project Engineer in Iran for nine years. Babak participated in Working the Australian Way in November 21 and found his first job in Australia that same month: The reason for that: after the workshop, I immediately had my first interview with the managing director of the company I was to work for. I was very well prepared for this experience. Everything was fresh from the workshop to the interview. This was a project management role with a materials handling engineering company. Following this, Babak completed a six month contract as a Project Engineer with an Engineering Procurement Construction Management company. At the time of interview for this research, Babak was not working. However, he has since found full time work as a project engineer for an engineering design company in Queensland. Babak is very positive about Working the Australian Way and its value in terms of networking and practising interviews. He suggests consideration be given to making the workshop more industry specific. Working the Australian Way 8

10 4. Value of the Workshop: Participant Perspective Most participants indicated that the workshop was very useful. Reasons included developing greater confidence through networking with company representatives and other migrants in a similar position. A highlight for many was the interview practice and resume feedback: [The best thing] was practising interviews with people from real companies. It was the real people from HR departments, not just teachers. [Economist from Russia, female] Figure 8: How useful was Working the Australian Figure 8 Way for you? 6% 2% 74% Very Useful Useful in some ways Not Useful with corporate staff. There was also a view amongst some participants that the workshop covered similar territory to the AMES course which they had just completed. Work outcomes Overall participants felt that the practical skills and the confidence they gained in the workshop had a direct impact on their search for work: By doing the course we were shown the right and the wrong way. The workshop provided the reality, made the classroom more realistic, took us to the really corporate world, what they expect and what employees should give to the employer. [Computer Engineer from India, female] Almost three quarters of people (87) interviewed had started one or more new jobs since the doing the workshop, mostly within the first 3 months. Figure 9: 9Work outcomes following the workshop 2% N % Figure Very 15 Useful 89 74% Useful in some ways 24 2% Not Useful 7 6% Not Worked Total 12 1% Sales & Service Clerical & Administration Other Participants often talked about feeling inspired by the workshop Science, Research & Professional and finding new confidence to apply for professional roles: Business & Management I was very stressed in terms of finding Accounting an IT job. & I Finance couldn t get anything. All my self-esteem was gone. I was getting IT depressed, feeling hopeless. After the training, my Engineering motivation lifted up. I felt I m not alone. I was so grateful. % It answered 1% a lot of questions 2% in my 3% mind. 4% 5% [IT Project Manager from the Philippines, female] Australia Overseas Some people were more reserved in their assessment of the workshop. While they identified many things that were useful, they sometimes had expectations that were not fulfilled. This may have been because their professional industry was not represented or that they wished for more interaction 9 Total 8% 72% 2 N % Figure New job 11 since workshop 87 72% Continued in same 1 job 9 8% 6% No work 5% since workshop 24 2% Total 12 1% 17% 25% Figure Figure Engineering IT 47% Total Accounting & Finance New job since workshop Continued in same job No work Qualification since workshop Business & Management Science, Research & Professional Permanent Casual Other^ Clerical & Administration Fixed Term Contract Self Employed Other Overseas Work o Sales & Service A

11 25% Casual Fixed Term Contract Self Employed Other Figure 1 Figure 1: Months to new job following workshop 5% Figure 12: 12 Hours of work 4% 3% 2% 1% 31% 69% % Months Figure 9 Months Cumulative N % 2% % % 68% 72% 54 87% % % New job since workshop Although some participants were working in Continued jobs that in did same not job meet their current aspirations, the majority were No work working since workshop in permanent full time jobs or in their industry with some chance to progress towards their career goals. All the participants from 21 were working at the time of interview. Fewer participants were 72% working from the more recent workshops. Figure 11: 11Type of Employment New job since workshop 6% Continued in same job 5% No work since workshop Figure 13 Hours of work N % 5% Full time 66 69% Part time 3 31% Total 96 19% 1% Figure 13: 13Pay rate per hour 5% 4% 19% 31% Figure 14 41% 4% Full Time Part Time 41% $3 or more $2 - $3 Less than $2 Volunteer No Response 31% $ $ L V N 17% 25% 47% Permanent Casual Fixed Term Contract Self Employed Other 36% Pay N % Figure $3 or more % $2 - $ % Less than $ % Volunteer 5 5% 25% 39% W P N Type N % Permanent 47% 45 47% Permanent Casual 24 25% Casual Fixed term contract Figure 12 Fixed Term 16 Contract 17% Self employed Self Employed 5 5% Other Other 6 6% Total 96 1% 31% No response 4 4% Total 36% 9639% 1% 25% Figure 16 5% 17% Well Matched Partial Match Not Matched 2% Working the Australian Way 1

12 tralia Figure 13 Overseas 5% Sales & Service Clerical & Administration Other Science, Research & Professional Business & Management Accounting & Finance IT Engineering 1% 2% 3% 4% 5% 4% Professional work outcomes This research suggests that participants are starting to find 19% work in their field. More 31% than two thirds of people working at the time of interview said that their $3 job or at more least partially matched with their skills and previous $2 - $3 work experiences: Less than $2 Volunteer 41% In India I was a senior consultant, here I am No Response working at one rank down. Otherwise it s fine. It s my profession. [Software Engineer from India, male] Figure 14: 14Match between current job and skills Figure 15: Work in Australia compared to overseas Figure Engineering Engineering IT IT Accounting & Finance Accounting & Finance Business & Management Business & Management Qualification Science, Research & Professional Science, Research & Professional Other^ Overseas Other Clerical & Administration Clerical & Administration Work overseas Sales & Service Sales & Service None Australia Not Worked 36% 39% 25% N % Well matched 37 39% Partial match 24 25% Not matched 35 36% Figure 16 Total 96 1% 2% 5% 17% Well Matched Partial Match Not Matched Overseas Work Australian Work N % N % Engineering 25 21% 14 12% IT 26 22% 16 13% Accounting & Finance 15 13% 11 9% Business & Management 15 13% 4 3% Science, Research & Professional 8 7% 3 3% Other 5 4% 9 8% Clerical & Administration 9 8% 16 13% Sales & Service 7 6% 23 19% Not worked 1 8% 24 2% Total 12 1% 12 1% 21% 6% Yes Not sure No No response 11

13 19% 41% 31% $3 or more $2 - $3 Less than $2 Volunteer No Response Figure 14 The specific reasons people said that the workshop helped them find work in their field included interview practice and strengthening 36% their resume. They 39% also learned about Australian recruitment practices and gained more confidence and networking experience: Well Matched I got a chance to do a formal interview with Partial someone Match from 25% a professional company. She gave me good Not feedback. Matched Knowing about Australian work culture and getting feedback from the mock interview definitely helped me get my job. [Accounts Executive from Sri Lanka, male] Figure 16: Did the workshop help you find work in your field? Figure 16 21% 5% 17% 2% 6% Yes Not sure No No response Total N % Yes 72 6% Not sure 25 21% No 2 17% No response 3 2% Total 12 1% Participants were very positive about the workshop and its impact on their employment prospects: It helped me a lot. As an immigrant actually the whole societal system and job network is totally different. The program helped me to understand some of the differences. [Computer Programmer from South Korea, male] Those who were more reserved in their assessment of the workshop were generally people who were yet to find work in their field. Working the Australian Way 12

14 5. Value of the Workshop: Corporate Perspective Senior managers who were directly involved in developing the concept and content of Working the Australian Way shared their views about their experiences. They spoke of being highly energised by meeting the participants and said that the workshop was a priority for them in their schedule each year. The group we interviewed outlined the following key benefits of the workshop for their companies. Making a social contribution Senior managers indicated that the workshop is a good fit with their corporate values and enables their companies to make a positive social contribution:...we see [ourselves] as having a part to play in the community and we were looking for opportunities for how we might support the community broader than our organisational remit, if you like. [Corporate interview] They saw their companies as being well placed to help migrants find professional work. They could use their expertise to help people understand workplace cultures and recruitment practices in Australia: It is about the message an employer wants to hear from a potential employee. And also, more broadly, talking about things like the culture in the workplace. Because that can be a source of misunderstanding and that may be the difference between getting a job and not getting a job, the way you presented at interview and some of the things that you might say because you re not aware of the cultural protocols. [Corporate interview] Networking with other companies The opportunity to relate to other companies was also referred to by this group as a motivation and benefit, particularly for partnership development. They mentioned being able to network and to learn from a group of corporate peers:.even the relationship we actually form with those other companies I think is just fantastic and where there s an opportunity to look at other things that other organisations are doing and learn from them in the way that they approach things, I think it is actually really advantageous for us. [Corporate interview] Providing an opportunity for professional development Participation in the workshop is highly beneficial for corporate volunteers. It is an opportunity for staff to develop professionally, particularly in relation to working with a culturally diverse workforce: I think it s a professional development opportunity, particularly for our HR staff. Not only do they get to network with HR professionals from other companies, but the opportunity to meet the skilled migrants, I think it makes them think about our own recruitment practices and some of the amazing people they meet, whether or not our own recruitment practices would have enabled that person to gain a position with us. [Corporate interview] 13

15 Through the online survey the corporate volunteers said they were motivated to give their time because they thought the workshop was a good idea and they felt they had skills to offer. They all suggested that participating in the workshop had been useful for them personally or professionally. Most commonly people commented on being exposed to the issues faced by migrants with professional backgrounds and to observe other professional volunteers, their peers, at work: It was a great experience each time, seeing the progress and energy in the participants was very grounding and motivating personally. [Corporate online survey] Personal fulfilment Finally, in addition to the compelling business case for being involved in the workshop, the company representatives we spoke to often referred to a more personal desire to assist professional migrants to enter the Australian workforce: I feel I m contributing to people and helping their lives. The more people that you can assist - I think is a really good way to live and we would have very good communities if people spent more time helping others. [Corporate interview] Exposure to a group of migrants from professional backgrounds For some, an introduction to a group of highly skilled and available professionals was an additional benefit. While the workshop is not currently designed as a direct forum for recruitment, the potential for this was mentioned a number of times: It also gives us some small exposure to a potential group of employees that we might otherwise not have ready access to. Although that s not our intention obviously if you come across a candidate and you ve got a vacancy it might be useful. [Corporate interview] A few senior managers made reference to participants finding work with their company or a related company as a direct result of contact through the workshop. Working the Australian Way 14

16 6. Working the Australian Way into the Future Participants were very positive about Working the Australian Way and readily articulated the ways in which they felt it had helped them. The corporate managers and staff also expressed highly positive views of the workshop and indicated that they would like to stay involved. Within this context we asked both groups for their suggestions for improving the workshop into the future. A number of themes emerged. Link participants to current vacancies In principle Working the Australian Way could be an opportunity to match participants to jobs available within the companies involved. The potential for this was raised many times by participants: There are lots of people looking for work. If there were real job opportunities available that would help a lot. [Architect from Iran, female] The corporate senior managers also saw the workshop as a good chance to do some preliminary screening of people for available jobs: if we could have a summary list of the participants and qualification background at the commencement of each workshop we could then identify where we may have positions available. We can perhaps interface with our recruitment people and say here s a list of potential employees. [Corporate interview] Match company volunteers and participants by professional background Another idea to strengthen the workshop was to match the professional backgrounds of the participants more closely with the company representatives, particularly in relation to the mock interviews: Related to this, both groups suggested that, where possible, a broader range of companies be invited to volunteer at the workshop to provide opportunities for participants in other industries. Increase interaction between corporate volunteers and participants Both participants and senior managers interviewed suggested the workshop could be more effective if there was more scope for participants to network over the course of the two days: More involvement between presenters and participants would be better. It s not only about getting the job done but hearing the real life stories, both from the participants and from the presenters. [Corporate interview] Offer work experience alongside workshop Finally, many participants felt that work experience would be valuable for finding work in their field. This sentiment was expressed many times in the interviews. People often reported that potential employers wanted to know about their local experience. The interest in work placement is no doubt informed by this: I have done some interviews with recruitment agencies before and after the workshop. Feedback on interviews was good but no job offer so far. I was thinking they [might] have other expectations like local experience. So the workshop may also coordinate some work placements for participants. [Electronic Engineer from India, female] There were a number of other suggestions mentioned, ranging from logistical adjustments at the actual workshop to broader ideas about how to further promote opportunities for migrants. Some of these ideas are already being implemented. There was a list of various companies. If you have companies in the same field as candidates, the interviews should be done by people from that field so they can do technical questions. [Mechanical Engineer from India, male] 15

17 Conclusion Attracting people with professional skills and qualifications is a significant objective of Australia s immigration program. Professionally qualified migrants arriving here, however, do not always find work in their field easily. Participants we interviewed for this research found Working the Australian Way provided new and effective tools to improve their job searching strategy. Almost three quarters (73%) had started a new job following the workshop. Two thirds of working participants were in a job that fully or partially matched their overseas professional background. The corporate partners who assist in running the workshop regard it as a worthwhile investment in time and personnel. This research suggests that the workshop is effective. It enables new migrants to Australia to overcome some of the barriers they face finding professional work: As a migrant, having that kind of training provided by private corporations was a good guide. And we felt that [in] this new country that s our home a lot of people care. People help you out to achieve your goals. It means a lot to us. [Accounts Analyst from the Philippines, female] Case Study Setareh emigrated to Australia in 211, from Iran. She has a Bachelor of Software Engineering and seven years experience as a software developer. When she came to Australia she hoped she would continue working in the same field. Setareh participated in Working the Australian Way in October 211 and said she found it very useful, particularly in terms of learning about local workplace culture and practising interviews. In early 212 she applied for a position as a software developer with a high level statutory authority in Victoria and was successful. She is now working full time in a role she describes as being a perfect match for her skills and background. Setareh says she felt well prepared for applying for this job by Working the Australian Way: It helped me prepare myself for the interview to highlight my career strengths. That was my first ever interview and first ever job in Australia. Working the Australian Way 16

18 17 Notes

19 Working the Australian Way 18

20 Published: July 213 Prepared by the AMES Research and Policy Unit AMES