Browse > Home / News / Burmese refugees ready for work

Burmese refugees ready for work

Posted on February 9, 2010, 7:07am and updated on February 11, 2010 at 8:47 am

Burmese students
Two years since the arrival of the first Burmese refugees in Mount Gambier, a group of 20 of them are now qualified and ready to take up employment.

The 20 refugees were yesterday awarded certificates II in food processing after successfully completing a four-day course which prepared them to work in the region’s horticulture industry.

The course was presented by Grow SA, the peak body for horticulture in South Australia.

Grow SA chief executive Mike Redmond said the need to train workers in the horticultural industry was determined following an interest by a consortium of horticultural businesses to establish themselves in the South East in the near future.

“The course taught students quality assurance, occupational health and safety regulations and how to use equipment in the packing of food,” he said.

“Despite the language barrier, which is not insurmountable, they are now ready to find work in the industry.”

MP Rory McEwen, who handed the group their certificates, congratulated them on successfully settling in the community after leaving hard lives in refugee camps in Burma behind.

“We know how difficult it must have been to settle in and you should be proud of how you have integrated in our community,” Mr McEwen said.

“We know your ultimate goal is to find employment and this is just another step closer to reaching that goal.”

One of the students, Chi Chi, said the group was very proud of their achievement.

“Only two of the group are already employed and the others are very keen to also find work,” she said.

“It is very important for us to get a job.”

  • Picture: Burmese refugees Yu Lee (left) and Lah Kamay are hoping to find employment in the horticulture industry after obtaining a certificate II in food processing. They are with Member for Mount Gambier, Rory McEwen, and Grow SA chief executive Mike Redmond.
Tags: , ,  

Comments

2 Responses to “Burmese refugees ready for work”

  1. Ebony Jackson on February 9th, 2010 1:50 pm 1

    Well done guys!

  2. Shane on February 9th, 2010 3:49 pm 2

    I doubt any of us will ever fully appreciate the conditions that some of these refugees have had to endure during their lives. I hope that none of the people of Mt Gambier are ever in the position to have to endure such hardship. It is also a tribute to the tolerance and welcoming nature of country people to not only embrace the latest Burmese refugees but the African, Vietnamese and others that came before them and have made the region their home.

Posting of new comments is currently disabled.