Employment Aspirations of Former Refugees Settled in Australia: a Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

The present study used a mixed method approach to understand the employment related aspirations of former refugees from Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Myanmar, resettled in Australia. Aspiration was defined as the difference between the current and future aspired job. First, a quantitative approach was used with 222 participants, who completed a questionnaire with the help of interpreters. Analysis of variance was used to examine if the aspirations varied on the basis of the country of origin. Participants from DRC and Myanmar had higher aspirations than those from Ethiopia. Graphic data indicated that in general all three groups aspired for professional and managerial jobs. Second, using a qualitative approach, 47 former refugees from these three countries were interviewed. Thematic analysis indicated that, in general, many participants wanted to pursue their own business. Moreover, a range of obstacles in achieving these goals also became apparent. Limited English language proficiency, lack of information about how to secure these jobs, and personal and family members' ill health interfered in participants' ability to secure their aspired job. Lastly, we offer a few recommendations for relevant stakeholders.

Exploring the impacts of the COVID‐19 crisis for the employment prospects of refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia

“…Finally, it is crucial to provide access to healthcare and a financial safety net. It seems paradoxical that people seeking asylum often have limited access to healthcare, although some of them suffer from severe traumatic experiences and their negative consequences (Baranik et al, 2018 ; Becker & Ferrara, 2019 ; Hartley & Fleay, 2014 ; Hebbani & Khawaja, 2019 ). Better healthcare support is also likely to increase not only the health of people seeking asylum but also their job prospects in the long term.…”

“…Further, previous research has reported that refugees and people seeking asylum have not only poorer health outcomes (physical as well as mental health) but also more issues in understanding and engaging in the healthcare system (Baranik et al, 2018 ; Becker & Ferrara, 2019 ; Chin & Cortes, 2015 ; Giuntella et al, 2016 ; Hartley & Fleay, 2014 ; Hebbani & Khawaja, 2019 ). These health issues are likely to make it more difficult for them to find work and to work effectively, leading to a need for greater employment support.…”

Facilitating Access to Higher Education for People Seeking Asylum in Australia: Institutional and Community Responses

“…Many people seeking asylum see the opportunity to study as important for developing capacities and knowledge to sustain their livelihoods and to contribute to their communities and society. This makes career guidance from pre-entry to post-graduation necessary, ensuring that the choice of degree not only satisfies student interests, but also provides them with a realistic pathway to ongoing employment (Hebbani & Khawaja, 2018;Hirsch, 2015;Hugo, 2011). Students must have access to targeted career advice and knowledge of the Australian job market to make informed decisions about their professional trajectory, rather than undertaking a course of study because it is dictated by the terms of their scholarship or because it was a strategic option in their country of origin.…”

“We will start building from that”: Social capital, social networks and African migrants’ job‐seeking experiences in Australia

“…Scholarship on the employment experiences of African migrants affirms the significance of work for social inclusion, participation and integration. A range of challenges face African migrants finding employment in their chosen field, with major barriers including: English proficiency and communication gaps (Abdelkerim & Grace, 2012; Hebbani & Colic‐Peisker, 2012; Hebbani & Preece, 2015; Ibrahim et al, 2010; Lejukole et al, 2012); racism and discrimination (Abur & Spaaij, 2016; Hebbani, 2014; Udah et al, 2019); lack of desired social networks, work experience, qualifications and/or access to transport (Correa‐Velez et al, 2015; Delaporte & Piracha, 2018); ineffective employment transition support services (Hebbani & Khawaja, 2018); and settlement location (i.e. settlement in regional or rural areas compared with cities) (Boese, 2013; Correa‐Velez & Onsando, 2009).…”