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New refugee employment service for the Manawatu
A new Refugee Employment Service is being launched in Palmerston North to help refugees find and access employment and development opportunities.
At the last Global Refugee Forum, Aotearoa New Zealand pledged to improve employment outcomes for former refugees.
Immigration New Zealand, along with other agencies, recognise that former refugees bring a wealth of experience and skills with them when they resettle in New Zealand, but face barriers to finding meaningful and durable employment.
About the new Refugee Employment Service
The Refugee Employment Service is a pilot programme, developed in response to Aotearoa New Zealand's pledge to improve employment outcomes for former refugees.
Its aim is to support refugees, helping them find and access employment and development opportunities.
The service is open to:
- Quota refugees
- Convention refugees
- Refugee Family Support Category visa holders
- Community Organisation Sponsorship (CORs) visa holders, and
- people granted New Zealand residence under the Afghan Response or as an Afghan interpreter.
How the service will be delivered
The new service will run in Palmerston North, and is expected to open for referrals in late October 2023.
Referrals to the service will be made by government agencies and community organisations. Refugees can also refer themselves if they want to use the service.
Workbridge — Te Arawhiti mō Mahi, a nation-wide employment service provider, will deliver the Refugee Employment Service. They have a long history of mahi tahi (working together) with both jobseekers and employers, developing sustainable and meaningful employment opportunities.