The Albanese Labor Government is delivering on its election commitment to provide additional funding for the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP), investing $1.5m in programs designed to ensure the Program meets the needs of newly arrived migrants and their families.
This funding will further support migrants to attain a level of English that will enable them to fully participate socially and economically in Australia, by providing:
- additional pathways for clients into employment in specific sectors such as hospitality, beauty, horticulture and social enterprises; and
- tailored tuition for specific cohorts such as Afghan women, survivors of torture and trauma, disengaged and at-risk clients.
In Perth today for the announcement, Minister Giles visited North Metropolitan TAFE, a service provider with more than 2,500 students enrolled in the AMEP program.
As a result of this funding, the TAFE will now provide two Innovative Projects to 45 participants across Perth’s metropolitan region as part of this initiative, including:
- Social Enterprise in the AMEP – a practical course delivered at the Multicultural Services Centre of WA to clients who were exploring the idea of setting up their own social enterprise. Completed in June, the project provided English language, financial literacy and business skills to women from Myanmar, working in a sewing project.
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Confidence Building in the AMEP – a program for clients from the Association of Survivors of Torture and Trauma Services (AseTTs) who were unable to participate in formal classroom-based learning due to factors such as isolation, trauma and lack of confidence. Running until the end of term 3, the project has supported two groups formed by Afghan women, and Eritrean men.
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION, CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS, THE HON ANDREW GILES:
“After a decade of neglect under the Liberals the Albanese Labor Government is working to restore vital funding to the AMEP, so that new migrants get every opportunity to develop the English language skills they need to thrive in Australia, in a way that suits them, and their families.
“We know that language barriers are a persistent reason for lower labour force participation among many new migrants. This combination of language learning and work experience will lead to better employment opportunities for students and provide employers with access to a previously underutilised workforce.
“Innovative Projects will also allow AMEP service providers to support vulnerable groups, whether it’s people who have suffered trauma, haven’t been part of a formal education system, or face cultural or personal challenges that limit their participation in education and employment.”
