By YASEMIN TALAT
BRIMBANK City Council has opened its doors to young migrant and refugee residents to provide them with an opportunity to gain confidence in the work force.
Over the past eight weeks, five Brimbank residents undertook work experience across different departments at the council.
Jok Majak, 21, and Jacob Chut, 23, worked at the council’s Parks Department as part of the Work Experience Program.
They worked in Deer Park and Derrimut on jobs including edging footpaths, mulching, planting, garden bed maintenance, weed control, brush cutting and lawn mowing.
They also did routine maintenance tasks as well as learning about the Occupational Health and Safety procedures.
“I enjoyed working in the outdoors, in the fresh air with good people,” Jok said.
Jacob too said he enjoyed the experience.
“It was enjoyable to be out there learning stuff, we didn’t get bored,” he said.
“It was good to make the community look nice.”
Jacob also recalled the appreciation from the community for his work.
“There was a man who thanked us in the street when we were fixing the garden bed,” he said.
Habeel Sagor, who also participated in the program, worked in the council’s Community Care Department.
Habeel said it was important to get as much work experience as possible even though it can be daunting when first working in a professional workplace.
“It took me a few days to get used to it at the start, but everyone was really friendly,” Habeel said.
Brimbank Council in partnership with Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and the Brotherhood of St Laurence implemented the Work Experience Program to enhance the employability of participants who find it hard entering paid employment.
