Bendigo Karen residents are hopeful a pilot training program will help overcome some of the challenges in securing work.
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Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services is working with DON KRC to support Karen applicants in completing the company's application and interview process, which is delivered in English.
Multicultural Services English as an Additional Language teacher Robyn Matthews said there was a gap between the language capacity needed to do the work, and that which was needed for DON KRC's recruitment and on-boarding processes.
The pilot program aimed to help bridge the gap and ensure aspiring employees understood the work and the safety requirements.
Tha Blay Htoo was hopeful getting into the workforce would be a way to meet more people and make more friends.
She had lived in Bendigo for four years.
Tha Blay Htoo was hopeful the program would provide her with a greater insight into what it was like to work at DON KRC and the company's policies and procedures.
Fellow Karen woman Mu Mu said she would feel happier if she had a job.
She said working at DON KRC would not only enable her to support her family, but help others in need.
Mu Mu had lived in Bendigo for more than a year.
The applicants involved in the training program still have to go through the company's induction and interview procedures.
Being involved in the initiative wasn't a guarantee of employment. But both Multicultural Services and DON KRC were hopeful the training program would better prepare the applicants to secure positions.
"Everybody's feeling really confident about finding work," Ms Matthews said.
She said a large part of the Karen community was looking for work and had expressed interest in positions at DON KRC.
The company approached Multicultural Services with the idea for the pilot program.
Both parties were hopeful the initiative would continue in the new year, but said it would depend on demand from both sides.
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