The breakfast, hosted by Loddon Campaspe Multi-Cultural Services, was held at Schaller Studio in Bendigo.

LCMS executive officer Noemi Cummings said the day was an absolute success with each visitor learning more about the cultural importance of hiring refugees.

Ms Cummings said the discussion was vibrant at the breakfast.

She said Synergy Farm owner Sue Bennett shared about her experience having employed Karen during harvesting time.

The LCMS sustainable employment program has been running for nine months offering services to place members of the culturally and linguistically diverse community into employment.

So far the program has employed four Karen women at Hy-Line, five Karen men and one woman at Don KR, three Afghan men soon to be employed at Hy-Line and 12 farming positions at Yarrawalla.

The program worked predominantly with three local, medium-sized enterprises to support them to be more able to employ people who are newly arrived.

The program works with low English speakers who have no formal education, no qualifications and have never worked in Australia.

The services aim to increase a business’s capacity to employ staff by assisting organisations to create a more supportive workplace.

The program works to provide necessary additions to the induction process, translate necessary signage, support new workers to gain better understanding of workplace etiquette and culture, policies and procedures, informal support during informal feedback sessions and equip workers to be job ready.

the program also offers cultural awareness programs for host companies to promote understanding and to explore better and more effective ways of working together.

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