Language barriers and cultural differences can often mean migrants struggle to hold down work and learn new skills. One commercial kitchen in Sydney is trying to change that with a little help from the local community.
In the narrow commercial kitchen at Wesley Missions Edward Eagar Lodge in Surry Hills, award-winning chef Ty Bellingham is hard at work.
The man who spent 14 years at the helm of Sailors Thai in Sydney, and two years running a restaurant in New York, is busy plating up lasagna with a group of students.
Like any cooking class the participants are keen to learn the basics, including good preparation, methodology and speed. What sets them apart is that most of them are either new migrants to Australia or part of the long-term unemployed.
Overcoming barriers to employment for migrants
Dressed in chef whites, a hair net and apron, Adi Danford is one of them. The 47-year-old mother of one never planned on working in a commercial kitchen, having worked for the government in Fiji. But since migrating to Australia in 2010 she has not had much luck keeping a job, or even getting interviews. Adi unsuccessfully applied for hundreds of positions over the past twelve months.
My gut feeling is [I wasnt getting interviews] because of my background, Adi said.
Even if you have a high qualification; my accent, and even my age, I think that could have been a drawback as well.
Adi is one of dozens of students currently enrolled in a six-week course with Bright Hospitality. The non-for-profit organisation launched in August last year, a branch of Bright Employment, which was founded in 2012.
The program provides local migrants with kitchen skills, theory and practical training. The aim is to connect the graduates with job vacancies in the industry and support them through the employment process.
Moving forward
They come out to this country, and they dont know the Merivale's and the Rock Pools, they dont know who Neil Perry is, said Ty Bellingham.
All these places need employees so our job is to give them six weeks of training and introduce them to all the employers throughout this city.
The program recently partnered with Wesley Mission. The residents of Edward Eagar Lodge, a shelter for homeless and disadvantaged men, are also benefiting from the students efforts. More than 200 meals are prepared and served each day, across breakfast, morning tea and supper.
Martin Barrow has been living at the Lodge since late last year and has noticed a change.
[The students] are learning and trying to move forward like the residents themselves, were all trying to do that, Martin said.
I want to climb and go as high as I can
Bright Hospitality estimates that almost 250,000 new jobs will be created in the hospitality industry by 2020. The program aims to fill those positions with new migrants and the long-term unemployed.
The idea is getting jobs for those kinds of people. The industry is typically more likely to take a backpacker, said Bright Hospitality CEO Sharon Flynn.
Mario Soares was born in East Timor but has lived in Australia for 37 years. He has struggled with depression and family issues and has been in and out of jobs. He graduated from the Bright program eight weeks ago and has been working as a kitchen hand at The Sheaf in Sydneys Double Bay.
You know, in life people fall on misfortunes, Mario said.
And in the last five years there has been a lot of misfortune and depression and so its trying to lift yourself out of that hole and be gainfully employed.
With three weeks to go until she graduates, Adi Danford has her sights set high. She can see herself working at a five-star restaurant, or the Star Casino.
Thats my aim, I want to climb and go as high as I can, Adi said.
Because if I have the inspiration to achieve then I know I can [do it], Im able to.
