Work Experience and Support Program graduates celebrate their success


Released 15/12/2017

Today, 20 participants of the ACT Government’s Work Experience and Support Program (WESP) completed their 12 week program and celebrated with a graduation ceremony at the ACT Legislative Assembly.

I was delighted to meet the participants who have worked hard over the past few months to gain work experience locally and improve their vocational skills.

The participants are from 14 different nations and reflect the diverse and vibrant multicultural community that is Canberra. Among the graduates are five from a refugee or humanitarian background.

Many migrants to Australia have qualifications and years of work experience from their home countries. However, they may find it difficult to gain employment here because they lack ‘local experience’.

The ACT Government believes that all Canberrans, regardless of their cultural and linguistic background should have equal access to the services and resources of government, and this is supported by the provision of work placements for the participants within various ACT Government Directorates.

Canberra is filled with stories of migrants from around the world who have made this city their home and built successful lives. All the best to the graduates on their future journey and I hope that they too will be able to add to the contributions made by the migrant community to Canberra’s social, cultural and economic development.

- Statement ends -

Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases

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