La Trobe University will offer a free online program to help overseas-qualified engineers struggling to find work in Australia.
Supported by the City of Greater Shepparton and the Committee for Greater Shepparton, the six-week Preparation for Professional Development program pilot will assist engineers to find work and fill a critical skills gap in regional Victoria.
The program will upskill participants in key areas such as Australian workplace culture and recruitment practices, quality assurance and compliance, and presentation and networking.
La Trobe University Professor of Practice (Engineering) Chris Stoltz said having more overseas-qualified engineers working in Australia would greatly ease the pressure on industry.
“The latest figures from Engineers Australia show the demand each year for engineering graduates in Australia is about 16,000, but universities are only producing about 9000 each year,” Prof Stoltz said.
“Yet 47 per cent of migrants actively seeking a job as an engineer are currently underemployed — often working in less skilled industries to get by — which is exactly what this program aims to address.”
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali said council understood how challenging it could be for regional employers to find engineers.
“By supporting overseas-trained professionals, Greater Shepparton is strengthening and diversifying the local workforce and creating new opportunities for culturally diverse communities to thrive,” Cr Sali said.
Committee for Greater Shepparton chief executive Linda Nieuwenhuizen said with such a tight jobs market, it was exciting to see the opportunities the program would open up.
“This program will engage talented people already in our community who are interested in working in Greater Shepparton,” she said.
“We also hope the program will provide a template that can be used to secure other professionals to fill workforce gaps in the region.”
The project is a partnership between La Trobe University, Greater Shepparton City Council, the Committee for Greater Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley Infrastructure Network.
Applications for the program are open until September 19, and overseas-trained engineers are invited to register at greatthings.com.au/p4pe
For information contact Catherine Klimeš by emailing accelerator@latrobe.edu.au