Join the Programme
Want to sign up or get involved? Contact us!
A second chance for migrant, refugee and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women
Thousands of migrant, refugee, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia have missed out on education.
They face formidable economic and social barriers in their attempts to make better lives for themselves and their families.
Yet SCE's partners in Australia have shown the difference that training, support, connections and companionship can make.
Real Futures
Through their Women's Business 2nd Chance Hub, Real Futures empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to become workplace assets and community role models. They provide First Nations women with pre-job training and support with job applications, interviews and ongoing mentoring throughout employment.
Real Futures' connections with industry mean that training is directly linked to jobs, and once employed, Real Futures provides ongoing wraparound support to the women as they navigate the workplace and the struggles of working and managing a family life.
"Not only do Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women play pivotal leadership roles in their families and communities, but they are also central to the development, growth and diversity of the Australian economy.”
Minister Wyatt, speaking at Real Futures' virtual launch of their Women’s Business Second Chance Hub in August 2020
What Real Futures does
Real Futures' core business and expertise is assisting First Nations people with job preparation, training and upskilling, career guidance and finding suitable sustainable employment outcomes.
Real Futures' footprint spreads across New South Wales and Western Australia, specialising in assisting youth, women and Mob living in remote communities to achieve individualised social, educational and employment goals.
Real Futures works with employers who guarantee jobs to First Nations jobseekers to understand what skills and training are required for the positions available. Real Futures tailor pre-employment programs to assist their aspirants to commence employment with the required skills and qualification to enhance their opportunity to be successful and maintain the career pathway of their choice.
Real Futures Reach Out Officers provide around-the-clock, culturally safe mentoring and support to both employer and their aspirants to ensure sustainability and a positive experience.
SisterWorks
SisterWorks has grown from a grassroots organisation to a medium-sized nonprofit with the vision that all migrant, refugee and asylum seeker women are economically empowered.
SisterWorks' mission is to enable these vulnerable women to have the opportunity to be confident, independent and learn new social and vocational skills to improve their economic outlook.
Empowerment through work
Through vocational training programs, participants or 'Sisters' are empowered to be gainfully employed or develop entrepreneurial skills. Through the provision of meaningful work and the learning of vocational skills, they build their financial confidence, wellbeing and job readiness. They also gain the cultural knowledge, language and economic skills needed to settle happily in Australia.
Sisters receive training at hubs located in Abbotsford, Bendigo, and Dandenong, where they are offered employment support, courses/workshops and social connections. SisterWorks also extends training through its mobile hubs.
Sisters can also take part in online classes and access educational content through an app customised for women with minimal English. The app is available to download for free on the Apple/Google Play Store.
