Language skills tackled in budget

BY MICK ROBERTS

Labor’s first Budget in 13 years will inject billions of dollars into education; assisting migrants learn English and in return provide improved employment opportunities.
Besides the Federal Government’s much-talked about $55 billion package to support working families in the 2008 Federal Budget, the Employment Pathways Program for migrants will receive $40 million and commits $9.2 million to traineeships in English and work readiness programs.
The migrant assistance package is in addition to tax cuts, means testing of the baby bonus, an increase in the income threshold for the Medicare levy surcharge, the establishment of a first home saver account and a push to get more mums back into the workforce.
Funding will also target combating climate change and housing the homeless.
Unveiling a surplus of $21.7 billion, Treasurer Wayne Swan said the Budget was designed to ‘tip the scales in favour of working families’, who he described as ‘the backbone of the economy’. Mr Swan said wealthy Australians would bear more of a burden than low and middle income earners as a result of the Budget initiatives.
The growing number of migrants making the city home will benefit under the $50 million package over the next four years to help them gain the language skills needed to join the workforce.
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said the pathways program will help people with the lowest levels of literacy learn English in formal and informal settings while introducing them to the Australian workforce.
‘The traineeships will help new migrants continue to learn English while they develop knowledge, skills and experience in Australian workplace culture.
‘Both programs funded over four years are designed to help migrants pursue an ongoing pathway to successful employment opportunities. Ensuring migrants are equipped for the workforce is an important economic objective in an environment of labour shortages which are adding to inflationary pressures.’
The largest private provider of English language education in Australia, ACL Colleges has welcomed the announcement.
Annually ACL delivers language teaching to more than 18,000 students, including a college in the city.
ACL Government Programs General Manager Michael Cox said the funding means new migrants and refugees will have recognised Australian credentials.
Mr Cox said many of their clients come in to the country highly skilled but don’t have the recognised credentials.
‘They also lack the work experience in Australian workplaces. The changes implemented by the Government under these new initiatives will address these major barriers faced by migrants in this country,’ he said.
‘This provides ACL with the opportunity to take the work we do with migrants and refugees to the next level.’
ACL’s Employment Pathways Unit incorporates skills and training within English language programs to help prepare clients for employment.
Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services Laurie Ferguson said the budget funding complements a decision to continue the National Action Plan for Social Cohesion, Harmony and Security.
‘The 2008-09 Budget continues the $3.3 million annual funding to maintain National Action Plan initiatives in education, employment, community integration and enhancing national security,’ Mr Ferguson said.
He said the funding provides an integrated approach to community cohesion, providing English skills and other support for migrants to join the workforce and increase participation in mainstream society into the future.