The Brain Gain, was designed to showcase the talents and experience brought into Australia by migrants who come as part of the Federal Government's skilled migrants program. Funded through the NSW government's Skilled Migrant Placement program, Skills International aims to assist migrants find work commensurate with their education and previous work experience. Featuring a cross-section of IT talent from diverse backgrounds, the event was launched by Fujitsu chairman Neville Roach.
-This isn't just tokenism," said Roach. -This is about demonstrating to employers the benefits of diversity in the workplace, especially when you are looking at doing business in such a culturally diverse region."
According to Roach, a greater corporate awareness of the IT skills base which exists among recent migrants will benefit both employers and the economy generally.
-Everyone wins out of this, employers are looking for people with experience and skilled migrants are looking for their first big chance," Roach said.
Om Dhungel, a telecommunications engineer in his native Bhutan is currently working on a supermarket checkout and believes business would benefit enormously simply by being more proactive with internal skills audits.
-Many companies don't realise the skills base they have amongst their own staff," Dhungel said. -The management will be surprised how many MBA's are working packing shelves, and scanning groceries."
However, participants in the IT skills showcase are well aware they are not the only sector experiencing difficulties finding work despite their skills and experience.
-The main problem at the moment is that the market is quite slow," said Showcase participant, Bharti Sahgal, demonstrating an e-commerce Web site she developed in a previous role. -But local experience is still the most important element in getting your foot in the door."
