The partnership will see members of the Crescent Champions Club (a mentorship and networking initiative) mentor up to 70 individuals from refugee or asylum-seeker backgrounds through Deakin University’s refugee centre.
The program is being funded by the Crescent Foundation, the charity entity associated with Islamic super fund and investment group, Crescent Wealth.
Deakin University started the CREATE initiative in 2019 and has since launched a careers clinic program, which supports around 150 people annually in finding employment.
Former foreign Minister of Australia and chair of the Crescent Foundation Bob Carr commented: “As a charity that is dedicated to open opportunity for all Australians and particularly for refugees, we were impressed by the commitment of Deakin University to dedicate substantial resources to this cause.
“We hope our support of Deakin University will encourage other private sector corporations and institutions to come forward to help facilitate the inclusion of refugees into the workplace and break through the canvas ceiling faced by refugees.”
Professor Alexander Newman, director of Deakin University’s CREATE initiative commented ensuring more refugees find employment will not only benefit the individuals, but also will make a positive impact for the Australian economy.
“It reduces the need for social security support, contributes to economic output, builds the tax base and improves social cohesion,” Mr Newman said.
“Australian communities and businesses benefit from accessing a larger, more diverse talent pool with a broad range of experiences.”
Crescent Foundation director Craig Foster echoed Mr Newman noting refugees tend to be proportionately younger than the broader Australian population and display high degrees of entrepreneurialism.
“They volunteer at higher rates than Australian-born citizens, are highly active in other forms of civil and community engagement and their uptake of Australian citizenship is higher than any other migrant group, reflecting integration into Australian communities and a joining of cultures that offers Australia equal benefits in kind,” Mr Foster said.
