TOOWOOMBA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Linking migrants and refugees with Toowoomba business

THE Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce is very pleased to announce the Business Skills Connect Migrant and Refugee Employment Campaign project kicked off last week.

Chamber is partnering with Catholic Care Social Services in delivering this exciting program aimed at developing and supporting employment partnerships between skilled migrants and refugees and Toowoomba businesses.

Attracting and retaining skilled staff continues to be a challenge for many local businesses, and this partnership initiative seeks to facilitate the opportunity for business owners to access an untapped pool of skills now available locally to help provide workforce solutions for their business.

The program will provide an integrated workforce solution, that supports both the employer and the employee matching skilled migrant and refugee job seekers, with Toowoomba businesses who have roles they are trying to fill.

Toowoomba continues to welcome many refugees and migrants to the city and amongst other benefits, this is resulting in a range of new skills coming to our region.

Many refugees and migrants are keen to find work and have much to offer potential employers across the Toowoomba business community.

People with a refugee background also often bring new ideas and perspectives into an organisation.

As part of this initiative we are keen to hear your thoughts on what you see the current challenges and barriers are for your business in this space and how agencies such as chamber and Catholic Care can more effectively provide support for local businesses and migrant/ refugee job seekers to connect businesses with skilled employees.

Your input will be invaluable in guiding our future work in this space.

If you are interested in finding out more about this initiative or in participating, please contact Toowoomba Chamber on 4638 0400.