By Brendan Rees
Members of Casey’s Afghan community have been recognised after completing training programs to ensure they are workforce ready.
Fifty women of the Hazara community were awarded certificates in safe food handling, first aid and introduction to training in the cleaning industry during a graduation ceremony at Lynbrook Community Centre on Wednesday 13 November.
The training, delivered by the Women’s Association South East Melbourne Australia, was designed for those whose English is a second language and to help increase their employability skills.
Sadia Ali, president of the United Cultural Support Inc said she was proud of the recipient’s efforts who are “ready to go out in the work force and become independent”.
“The students have been impressive with their diligence, punctuality and attendance,” she said.
“Each training was delivered over several days with hands-on experiences and well as class room environment. The students were supported by experienced trainers with the concepts and to make sure that work place English conversations were understood,” she said.
“I would congratulate two of my proud ladies Nouriah Eliasi and Zahra Mohammadi who have started their catering business after receiving their training and certificate in safe food handling,” Ms Ali said.
“Without the collaboration, partnership and support of our partnered organisations and Volunteers this wouldn’t have been possible”.
The award ceremony also featured police officers from Victoria Police who delivered a cyber safety information session titled ‘Think U Know’ to the parents of young people covering issues of cyber bullying, online gaming, inappropriate content desire, privacy management, identity theft and more.
A fourth program will also start soon in ‘Water safety and swimming lessons for Afghan Women’.
The programs were funded by the Komak Program and Connections –UNITING.
