Breaking down the barriers: GET Program Paves the Way for Skilled Migrant Engineers in Australia

Last week, we made an exciting announcement about the Northern Territory Government's plan to fund a ground-breaking program aimed at helping skilled migrant engineers break into the Australian job market. Today, Education Editor Julie Hare covered this news in The Australian Financial Review .

The Global Engineering Talent (GET) program is a direct result of Engineers Australia's research on the barriers faced by skilled migrant engineers in finding employment. Shockingly, the research revealed that around 47% of migrant engineers actively seeking engineering jobs are unemployed. This amounts to approximately 100,000 engineers—a staggering statistic that has significant implications for Australia's skills shortage.

The first of its kind research highlighted the lack of local networks, limited pathways to secure employment, and industry bias as the biggest obstacles faced by migrant engineers in their job search. These findings were a turning point, as they provided evidence for the challenges these engineers were facing.

Thanks to the support from the Northern Territory Government , the GET program will provide a vital pathway for 20 overseas-born engineers to enter the Australian engineering workforce. This Australian-first program includes a comprehensive six-week preparatory course offered through Engineering Education Australia . During this course, participants will receive engineering standards-specific training, allowing them to sharpen their skills in line with industry requirements. Additionally, they will embark on a 12-week paid internship at a prestigious engineering firm.

Throughout the program, both the engineers and their hosting managers will receive ongoing assistance and support at each phase. To facilitate a smoother transition, each engineer will also be paired with a mentor who can provide local contacts and guidance, creating valuable engineering networks within their local community. This aspect of the program addresses a major barrier identified in our research.

The preparatory course will incorporate a "virtual internship," simulating an Australian engineering project. This virtual experience will allow participants to apply their skills in an Australian context, familiarise themselves with relevant standards, codes, laws, and regulations, and practice local ways of working. This hands-on approach will enhance their practical understanding and prepare them for the second phase—an exciting paid internship in the Northern Territory, with the ultimate goal of securing full-time employment.

The GET program represents a significant step forward in addressing the challenges faced by skilled migrant #engineers and providing them with a foot in the door of the industry. By creating engineering networks within local communities, we aim to break down barriers and ensure these talented individuals have the opportunity to contribute to Australia's #engineering sector.?

#SkilledMigration