Celebrating a Career Milestone
Behzad 'Behz' Pourdarab is celebrating a career milestone that he never believed possible. This month marks two years since he landed his dream job as a functional designer in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for a large multinational company.
"I feel proud of myself. Despite many challenges, I am truly happy," said Pourdarab, 33.
He shares that now he has enough income to support himself independently, without relying on family or friends.
A Challenging Journey
Pourdarab's journey began when he arrived in Australia in 2013 as an asylum seeker from Iran, holding Australian technology qualifications and a construction diploma from Tehran.
"I traveled here from Indonesia in a small wooden boat with 169 people on board, including newborn babies. Can you imagine how devastating that was? At times, we had no hope," he recalled.
After a stint in detention, he moved to Adelaide, where he worked in food delivery and taught swimming classes while reskilling. Despite applying for nearly 100 jobs, he faced many rejections, which took a toll on his confidence.
"When you do not hear back, you lose your confidence and you question your ability," he explained.
Bridging the Skills Gap
Pourdarab is not alone in his experience. The Australian Institute of Family Studies found that only one-quarter of refugees secure employment within the first two years.
His turning point came when he met Carmen Garcia, the founder of the Adelaide-based employment service, Community Corporate, which connected him with an employer.
"As someone who didn't have hope and was suffering, Carmen picked me up and put me on a track to success," he said.
Garcia noted that last financial year, Community Corporate supported over 1,600 people, with 91% coming from migrant or refugee backgrounds. The organization's success is attributed to its employer-led model, which focuses on understanding the challenges faced by employers.
New Initiatives for Skilled Migrants
Building on their success, Garcia recently opened a new Skilled Migrant Job Support Centre aimed at recruiting for in-demand sectors like ICT, engineering, and health services. With state government backing, the goal is to assist at least 120 skilled migrants in the first year.
"We see so many skilled migrants who have given up on any chance of financial independence," Garcia said.
Addressing Discrimination and Bias
Despite the good intentions of many Australian employers, Garcia pointed out that significant barriers still exist, including discrimination and unconscious bias in the workplace. Many skilled migrants struggle to get interviews due to a lack of local experience.
"We want to prove that experience from overseas absolutely adds value to companies in Australia," she emphasized.
Pourdarab exemplifies the success that can come with determination and support. Community Corporate trained him, providing the confidence he needed to secure his first ICT role.
"Asylum seekers and refugees are not asking for a favor, just a chance," he concluded.
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