University News Line

New Careers Resource for the Horn of Africa Community

Posted by: Victoria University on 16/09/2008 10:59:55 PM

Victoria University (VU), with support from Centacare Catholic Family Services and the Horn of Africa Communities Network, has produced a DVD and accompanying booklet about the Australian Workplace for Horn of Africa Students.

Entitled, 'Working in Australia', it was launched at Victoria University’s Nicholson Street Campus in September.

Rob Vague, Careers Educator with VU’s Student Career Development said: “The DVD has been recorded in English and four community languages – Dinka, Amharic, Somali and Arabic. It is one of the only resources of this type available, and will assist the transition of students from the Horn of African background into further study or work in Australia.”

“The DVD contains footage shot at 14 different workplaces, representative of the seven broad categories of jobs in Australia. It explains the Victorian education system and the education and training pathways that may lead into each of the jobs.”

The booklet, in English, contains a simple career planning process, to assist students to reflect on their skills, values and interests. Based on the results of this process, students then begin to research jobs using the 'Jobguide' and 'My Future' websites, and finally complete a detailed investigation on the requirements for a number of chosen jobs.

Rob said: The project is an initiative of Student Career Development at Victoria University and was developed with valuable support from VU’s Office for Industry and Community Engagement and VU’s Multi Media Department.”

“The idea for the resource came out of a 'Diversity Forum on Emerging Communities' held in June 2006.

“Office of Training and Tertiary Education – Victoria (OTTE) equity funding for the project, was provided through VU’s office of the Pro Vice Chancellor (Education Strategy and Enterprise).”

The project has also involved close collaboration between VU departments and community based organisations. It has also provided a number of Learning in the Workplace opportunities for VU students, including filming, recording, editing, booklet design, and narration.

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