Students will benefit from a partnership between Kangan Institute and Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre, which aims to enhance settlement support, access to work placements and employment pathways for migrants and refugees.
Kangan Institute chief executive Sally Curtain met with Spectrum chief executive Rebecca Power at Kangan’s Broadmeadows campus on Wednesday, October 9, to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to improve opportunities for students and local community.
The organisations will join forces on initiatives, including promoting inclusion for multicultural job seekers, connecting students to Spectrum’s support programs to aid in settlement, and identifying opportunities for student placements, secondments and employment at Spectrum.
“We’re excited to join forces with Spectrum to transform lives, empower our students to thrive and foster a diverse, skilled workforce that reflects the rich tapestry of our community,” Ms Curtain said.
“One of our priorities at Kangan Institute is to provide best-in-class wraparound support and services that our students need to succeed.”
The MOU cements a long-standing relationship which has resulted in the organisations working on many initiatives, including the Parenting in a New Culture program supporting migrant fathers studying at Kangan to adjust to parenting in a new country.
Hume is one of the most culturally diverse regions within Greater Melbourne, with almost 40 per cent of Hume residents born overseas, coming from 156 different countries and speaking over 150 languages.
Spectrum and Kangan will soon be launching a new program, Working in a New Culture, for migrant students focusing on rights and protections, and practical tools for navigating employment pathways in the Australian workplace.
“Access to quality education is essential for economic inclusion and is a key factor in achieving positive settlement outcomes for migrants and refugees,” Ms Power said.
“With shared values and commitment to our diverse community, this partnership will be instrumental in the settlement journey for many who seek to call Hume ‘home’.”
