A New Start: Kim’s Success Story with NSF and Determination
For Kim, moving to Australia was more than a change of scenery; it was a bold step toward a better future. Originally from Vietnam, Kim completed high school in 2023 before arriving in Australia in August of the same year. Driven by ambition, she embraced the challenges and opportunities of starting over in a new country.
“I decided to move to Australia because I wanted to learn and grow in a new country with cultural diversity and a highly competitive industry. Besides that, I had a desire to broaden my horizon and develop my future,” Kim said.
While the decision to migrate was clear, the process was not easy. Even with her mother’s status as an Australian citizen simplifying some aspects, financial barriers loomed large.
“It was not easy to get here,” Kim explained. “In my situation, with my mum as an Australian citizen, it was simpler for me to migrate here in comparison with many other people. However, the hardest issue was finances. Indeed, making plans to move to another country is complex; we need a visa, a health test, and many other things before living in a different country.”
Soon after settling in, Kim sought to build her foundation in Australia by improving her English with the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP). The AMEP is funded by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, and delivered by Navitas Skilled Futures (NSF) in Western Sydney and the ACT. Kim enrolled at Navitas Skilled Futures in Fairfield, beginning with Certificate II in Spoken and Written English. Her introduction to NSF came from her mother, who had long admired the organisation.
The program, and Kim’s teacher, made a lasting impression.
“The staff at NSF were very nice and friendly… I felt like they were always get ready to help people at any time. And I was lucky to be part of a friendly and supportive class”
Kim, Pathways to Work program
“I enrolled in an English course with teacher Camilla. She was amazing and super friendly. I learned a lot from her. I was given a range of ways to learn Aussie slang, idioms, new words while I was at NSF,” Kim said.
Eager to expand her skills further, Kim moved on to the Pathways to Work in Business Administration and Customer Service course. This experience became a turning point for her.
“I studied many new things in that course with teacher Mary Ann. I became confident in communicating with new people, learned how to design a CV for applying for a job, and even did some first mock interviews with Rudi (Pathway Guidance Advisor); they were all very helpful,” Kim said.
“NSF and the AMEP helped me become confident in communicating with new people, learning how to design a CV and helping me to get ready for seeking a job.”
Kim, Pathways to Work program
The Pathways to Work program is part of the Settlement Language Pathways to Employment and Training (SLPET), a sub-program of the AMEP, where learners train on language and skills in the context of a particular industry or role. The practical elements of the course, such as resume writing, interview preparation, and workplace planning were invaluable. Her work experience placement at Target Parramatta further bolstered her confidence.
“These skills I gained thanks to NSF gave me the confidence to seek work and prepare for job opportunities,” Kim said.
“The staff at NSF were very nice and friendly. I didn’t have particular issues that needed their assistance, but I felt like they were always get ready to help people at any time. And I was lucky to be part of a friendly and supportive class,” she said.
After completing the program, Kim secured a part-time retail position at a pharmacy in Bankstown, where she’s undergoing in-house training. But her ambitions reach far beyond retail. She has also begun full-time studies in school-based education support at Granville TAFE, with the ultimate goal of becoming a teacher.
“NSF and the AMEP helped me become confident in communicating with new people, learning how to design a CV and helping me to get ready for seeking a job.”