You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Please enable scripts and reload this page.
Turn on more accessible mode
Turn off more accessible mode
Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Turn off Animations
Turn on Animations
Sign In
Menu
Enrol
Staff login
Connect with us
Links
It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again.
HOME
Schools & Curriculum
Find a school
Curriculum
Kindergarten
Prep - Year 10
Senior Years
Learning and Teaching Framework
School Reporting
School Annual Reports
Literacy & Numeracy
School Improvement
Alumni successes
New Schools
Students & Parents
Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19
Student Protection
Student Protection and Code of Conduct Training for Volunteers and Other Personnel
Information for Families
Complaints Procedure for Non-compliance with Student Protection Processes
Student Wellbeing
Student, Parent and Guardian Complaints Management policy
Inclusive Education
Gifted & Talented
Communicating with your school
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Education
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Strategy
Non State Schools Transport
Term dates
Parent engagement
Defence School Mentor Program
International Students
English as an additional language/dialect (EAL/D)
Student Behaviour Support
Careers
Applicant information and assistance
Covid-19 Vaccination policy
Eligibility to work in BCE
Employment Collection Notice
Frequently asked questions
Graduate information
How to Apply
Job Alerts
Head Office and corporate roles
Join a BCE school
Teaching
Graduate information
Non Teaching positions in schools
Relief Teaching
Graduates
School and College Locations
Remote Area Incentive Scheme
Teacher Accreditation
Eligibility to work in Australia
Anti Discrimination Legislation
Salary Scale
Related Documents
Graduate - FAQs
Help
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarships
University Practicum Placements
Early Career Teacher Program
Senior Leaders creating stronger connections
Senior Leaders
Middle Leaders
Primary Learning Leaders
BCE Recognised Religion Units
Teaching
Graduate information
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Scholarships
Anti Discrimination Legislation
Related Documents
Remote Area Incentive Scheme
Teacher Accreditation
Specialist Teachers
Teacher salary scale
Grow your career in Kingaroy
Welcome and reward
New Employee Induction
Staff First Time Login
Covid-19 Vaccination Policy
Catholic Identity
About us
Welcome from the Executive Director
Why a Catholic school?
Safeguarding
Structure
Celebrating our heritage in Queensland
Share your story
Our Vision
Strategic Plan
Archdiocese of Brisbane
Towards 2020 and Beyond
School funding distribution
Research
Annual Reports
Principal Alumni
The Library
O'Shea Centre
Mt Carmel Centre
About the Mt Carmel Centre
Sister of Mercy Story
Historical timeline
Ngutana-Lui Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Studies Centre
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Reconciliation
Acknowledgement of Country
BCE Policies
Whistleblower
Acceptable Use
Latest news
Currently selected
Brisbane-Catholic-Education-giving-refugees-a-new-start-with-Work-and-Welcome-program-
Brisbane Catholic Education giving refugees a new start with Work and Welcome program
Everybody belongs – diverse BCE schools celebrate their differences while supporting their multicultural communities
School celebrates diverse student population this Harmony Week
BCE students connect to culture this World Harmony Week
Everyone belongs at St Joseph’s School Murgon
From Ukraine to Australia - meet BCE’s newest Work and Welcome participant
Senior Manager Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education shares how she is working to Close the Gap for First Nations students in BCE schools
Our Lady of the Rosary students splash into Autumn
Christ the King students all on board for NAPLAN
St Ann’s School thriving just three years into operation
Meet the Principals making a difference within their community this International Women’s Day
Meet one of BCE's leading women this IWD
Unique BCE program supports women into educational leadership
BCE student shares her hopes for the future this International Women’s Day
Meet the BCE College Captains creating a better future for their school communities!
BCE student makes everyone STOP and listen this World Hearing Day
Meet the BCE College Captains taking on 2023!
Carmel College lighting the way in the Redlands for 30 Years
Safeguarding Standard #10: Policies & Procedure support the Safety of Children & Adults
BCE students university and work ready thanks to UQ partnership
Get to know some of BCE’s principals in their new roles – Daniel Hodge
HOME
>
Latest news
>
Brisbane Catholic Education giving refugees a new start with Work and Welcome program
Brisbane Catholic Education giving refugees a new start with Work and Welcome program
5/04/2022
Page Image
Image Caption
BCE Work and Welcome coordinator, Enrique Ramirez
.
Page Content
Afghan law graduate and former NATO interpreter
*Fatima has swapped the law books for contracts working with Brisbane Catholic Education’s (BCE) procurement team.
It’s a career change the ‘BCE Work and Welcome’ program candidate is grateful for, saying it “changed her life.”
BCE proudly partners with Multicultural Australia to support refugees to gain valuable work experience in BCE offices and schools.
16 candidates from Afghanistan, Iran, Colombia, Sri Lanka, and Syria have been provided valuable employment experience since the program was established in 2013.
Since participating in the BCE program
, more than
70 per cent of candidates have gone on to
secure
employment or
continue their studies.
“The Work and Welcome program has made a big different in my life and those of my fa
mily,” said Fatima, who worked for the Australian Defence Force for three years while in her home city of Kabul.
“When we left Afghanistan last August our lives were in turmoil
.
“But now we feel
safe,
and I am hopeful for the future because I have been working at Brisbane Catholic Education.
“Everyone has been very welcoming and supportive, which has meant a lot to me.
“I really loved this job because I am constantly meeting new people from other countries and helping others.”
Fatima, her parents and four siblings were fortunate to get a flight out of Kabul in August after the country came under Taliban control.
She said the process of getting visas and a flight for her family was traumatic, but she and her family are focused on their new life in Australia now.
“We really wanted to come to Australia because it was the country which would grant a visa to all my family and we wanted to be together,” Fatima said.
Her parents and two of her siblings are currently studying English at TAFE while her younger brother and sister are attending school.
BCE Work and Welcome coordinator, Enrique Ramirez, said the
Work and Welcome
program is about creating equal opportunities for refugees and giving them work experience in their new country.
“Our Work and Welcome candidates get experience across different teams in the BCE office and schools,” said Enrique.
“We are really proud of what our candidates have achieved and the support they have been given at BCE.”
The Work and Welcome is fully funded by BCE staff from offices and schools.
*Fatima’s name has been changed in this article to protect her and her
family’s
identity.
Top stories