“Enable and empower’: Multicultural community groups praise ‘fantastic example of education’ at Navitas Skilled Futures Fairfield
Organisations supporting Sydney’s refugee and migrant communities have come together at a visit hosted by Navitas Skilled Futures (NSF) Fairfield, where they discussed ways to support the students and the community.
In the City of Fairfield, one of Sydney’s most diverse LGA’s and the refugee hub of Western Sydney, NSF is host to approximately 600 students attending classes where they seek to improve their settlement English skills, with a view to finding a place of safety and hope in their new lives in Australia.
NSF is often a first place of community for these arrivals, while organisations like the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia (FECCA), and the Ethnic Communities Council of NSW (ECC NSW) support the same cohort through services, advocacy and policy influence.
FECCA is the peak national body representing Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and ECC NSW is its NSW equivalent.
On Friday 29th November the Chair of both organisations, Mr Peter Doukas, and CEO of ECC NSW, Ms Mary Karras, paid an official visit to NSF Fairfield where they met with students and staff. They experienced first-hand how NSF’s learning programs support culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
“Australia is an immigrant nation, and the difficulty that migrants face – despite the support that exists – is always there. Challenges that they face with regards to language, multicultural services and interaction with the wider Australian community is part of the journey. That’s where organisations like ours get involved, along with our settlement partners, in making that journey as seamless as possible.”
Mr Peter Doukas, Chair of FECCA and ECC NSW
Touring the NSF Fairfield College, Peter and Mary noted the vibrant atmosphere, and the innovative teaching styles which prioritise digital skills as a key focus area, with technology as a core component of program delivery.
“We saw a fantastic example of education in Australia, an institution that’s based not only in Fairfield, but in other places in the Sydney area, that focuses on making that journey of immigration and settlement easier. Language lessons, lessons in arts, and what I found interesting is the involvement of teachers from immigrant backgrounds as well describing, not only their journeys, but seeing that new emerging communities can be established from these people that have only recently arrived in Australia.”
Reflecting on recent research released by the Scanlon Foundation showing that Australian attitudes on immigration and religion have hardened, Peter said: “We continue to be concerned about social cohesion, especially with the rhetoric around the world that’s often based on race and ethnicity….so our role is that, no matter the stripe of Australian government, we are building Australia through our multicultural member-based organisations. The intention is that Australian multiculturalism is part of our national identity. That’s part of the ongoing work that we do, along with our partners, both in the private sector and the NGO space.”
During their visit, Peter and Mary met with former student Gazelle and talked about the difference that their programs had made to her settlement experience. Commenting on the importance of settlement English training for new arrivals, Mary said:
“These programs are a very important component to help the settlement of new migrants and refugees in Australia. A very important thing is communication … without English language and communication, we are failing our migrants and our refugees.”
Mary Karras, CEO of ECC NSW
Both Peter and Mary spent time with the students of a sewing class, where introductory lessons in English are being provided in the context of sewing – a comfortable and familiar environment of the students. Later, they spent time in an Australian Citizenship exam preparatory class.
Mary noted that: “I think the initial important step for people coming to Australia who need to settle, is about finding a roof over their head, it’s about getting a school for their children, it’s about finding employment. In order to do that, you need English language, you need skills, and you need training.
“The programs that NSF offers, enable people and empower people, to be able to go out and find jobs, be able to acknowledge the skills that they may already bring, and also have a pathway that will enable them to succeed.”
Before departing, Peter and Mary spent time in a higher language level class, where students were focused on digital and employability skills. Students were able to share their experiences with the visitors, and how the training had changed their lives for the better.
“I’m very impressed with the classes that are being offered,” said Mary.
“The welcome that NSF provides for the students here, and for its staff, the inclusiveness – I think all of that is so important. Not just the training, but certainly acknowledging where people are at, and valuing people as students, but also as learners, and as someone who contributes. It’s great to see that…. people value what Navitas provides.”
Mary Karras, CEO of ECC NSW