Skilled Migrant Professionals October 2014 | Page 28

Migration
The research report titled ‘Securing futures: making the most of migrants’ skills’, found barriers to work included: unfamiliarity with recruitment practices; a lack of professional networks and difficulty growing
them; little knowledge of Australian workplace culture; and, difficulties
in having qualifications recognised.
The research was based on interviews exploring the job seeking experiences of 239 people who had completed the SPMP program. It canvased participants from 40 countries – the majority from China, India, Sri
Lanka, Iran and South America. The largest groups of professionals were
engineers, IT specialists, accountants, scientists and business managers.
Before enrolling in the SPMP program, less than 35 per cent of participants had worked in Australia. Those who had worked here were
mostly in low-skilled or non-professional work. After completing SPMP,
89 per cent had found work and, of this group, 64 per cent were in
professional jobs.
The SPMP program, operated by AMES, introduces professional migrants to Australian workplace culture and job seeking techniques. Participants receive advice about professional interviews as well as insights
into Australian workplace culture.
“Australia’s immigration program attracts a high proportion of highly skilled professionally qualified migrants. This research suggests that
there is a role for employment orientation, such as the SPMP, for
some migrants – particularly those from non-English speaking backgrounds,” the report said.
“The SPMP is an intervention that can maximise the use of skills
brought by migrants and contribute to Australia’s productivity,” it
said.
The report said productivity gains would be long term because
most skilled migrants arriving in Australia were in the early stages of their careers. It said the employment of skilled migrants
increased diversity in the workforce and built cultural competence needed to connect with overseas markets.
“An effective strategy to make the most of migrants’ skills
would be to establish a national program for professionals
who require targeted employment orientation to relaunch
their careers in Australia,” the report said.
One of the study’s authors, social scientist Monica
O’Dwyer, said the research showed small interventions
could make a difference in helping newly arrived professionals into work in Australia.
She said a national program driven by governments would yield increased productivity and better outcomes for professional migrants.
“Attracting people with professional skills
and qualifications is a signif X