Guilia Pimentel –
Migrant unemployment has been a growing concern in New Zealand despite the huge demand in the labour market.
Hence, the Diversity Job Fair (DJF) organised by Migrant Action Trust (MAT), a non-profit organisation supporting new migrants into employment and settlement in September last year attracted more than 1000 migrants.
This year’s DJF will be held on Saturday, October 1, at the AUT Sir Paul Reeves Building with the theme ‘Migrant Employment & Settlement Expo.’
It aims to tailor-fit every session to equip migrant job seekers to become ‘Job-Ready’ with the hope of helping prepare migrants to be more knowledgeable about the New Zealand job market.
Addressing issues
Aimed to be a catalyst to tackle the issues of unemployment, the event is created for migrants to gain a greater chance of having a better life in this country.
What makes this expo unique is that it will not only create a platform for employers and job seekers to interact and to network, but also the sessions are customised to fit migrants’ job-search needs.
Job seekers will have an opportunity to hear successful stories from migrant workers and discuss about the ins and outs of their respective industries.
These job sectors include retail, hospitality, health, IT, business, admin and marketing, engineering and food manufacturing.
The event will provide the networking platform, the tools, and the job-search hacks to inspire, encourage, motivate and empower migrants to have a voice and stand in New Zealand, proving that their skills, know-how and global experience are potential assets to the country.
New segments
MAT has gathered skilled and professional people to run the CV and cover letter checking and mock interviews so job seekers can get an actual experience of how application processes actually happen, in hopes that it can help build their confidence and skill in handling such situations.
DJF is introducing two new segments this year, namely the ‘Entrepreneur Session’ and the ‘International Student Forum.’
Guilia Pimentel is Diversity Job Fair 2016 Coordinator at Migrant Action Trust.
