Migrant English student proves theres a science to finding work

Navitas English Parramatta student Ashwitha Punjala has proven that persistence pays off, securing a job within only months of arriving in Australia, in an industry which is very specialised.

Ashwitha, aged 2 5, arrived in Sydney from India in January 2012, having completed a Masters in Biotechnology and working as a lab technician. She moved here to be with her husband, who had been living and working in Sydney prior to Ashwitha’s arrival.

Within months, Ashwitha had enrolled in the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP), taking classes in Parramatta to assist and develop her English language levels and with settlement into the local community. During her AMEP studies, the Pendle Hill resident joined the Workplace Communication for Professionals Course, through thee AMEP Settlement Language Pathways to Employment and Training (SLPETT) program, which helped to set up her pathway to employment

As part of her Navitas English course, Ashwitha was placed at an enzyme laboratory in Canterbury to gain much needed work experience and an understanding of working life in Australia.

“The work culture in my country is different and this course, especially the work experience, helped me to understand Australian workplace culture,” Ashwitha said.

At the conclusion of her 600-hour work experience, the supervisor at the lab was so impressed with Ashwitha, she was offered a permanent position for four days a week.

“Getting a job in Australia in my profession is not easy, especially without having Australian work experience. Thanks to the help from Navitas English and the AMEEP, I am now working as a lab technician at the same place I completed my work experience,” Ashwitha said.

Navitas English Executive General Manager Helen Zimmerman says Ashwitha’s story is an excellent example of how Navitas English helps migrants settle in Australia

“Finding a job as a migrant can be difficult but can be particularly challenging for those with very specific qualifications. We try to find suitable work experience for our students so they can continue in their chosen field and contribute economically and socially in Australia,” Ms Zimmerman said.

Ashwitha plans to return too Navitas English Parramatta College in the near future to continuue to improve her English and complete the AMEP.

“Navitas has helped me gain confidence I never had before. I am very thankful for the support they have offered me and the help to settle into my community,” she said.

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About Navitas English
Navitas English (part of the Navitas education group) has taught English language programs to more than 130,000 migrants and refugees since 1998 through the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) and settled 18,000 entrants through the Commonwealth Government’s refugee and humanitarian settlement program since 2005. The company is also one of the largest and most respected of Australia’s quality English language providers offering English language tuition and teacher training to domestic and international students.

Further details about Navitas English are available at www.navitasenglish.com