The Victorian Government is expanding a program for asylum seekers and refugees that provides new arrivals with access free and subsidised skills and training.

The new program means people who have been forced to flee their home due to war, victims of human trafficking, forced marriage and slavery-like offences, and those from other circumstances can find a meaningful career in industries like hospitality, health and aged care as well as education.

There are about 1,821 people on temporary humanitarian visas in Victoria, including recent arrivals from Afghanistan.

The expanded eligibility criteria for the Asylum Seeker Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Reconnect programs allows people on temporary humanitarian visas to access Free TAFE, subsidised training and other support services, the Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney said.

Training was key to the settlement process, in addition to settlement services provided by AMES Australia, including quarantine assistance, housing and healthcare, she said.

“Education changes lives and that’s why we’re making sure more asylum seekers and refugees have the chance to rebuild their lives in Victoria through Free TAFE and training, resettlement programs and wrap-around supports,” Ms Tierney said.

“We’ve already successfully helped thousands of asylum seekers and refugees into training and job pathways – and we’ll continue doing what we can to help new arrivals feel welcome and happy in their new home,” she said.

The Asylum Seeker VET program has already helped nearly 5,400 people into training at TAFEs, Registered Training Organisations and Learn Local in Skills First courses and other supported training.

The Reconnect program helps about 1,700 people each year by providing wrap-around supports including foundation skills, employment assistance and career counselling.

The Victorian Government has also implemented a new three-year funding arrangement with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre to continue its support for new arrivals, including a visa and study help desk for new arrivals, a dedicated website with resources for students on campus, staff professional development and more.

Asylum seeker and VET trainee Aziz Aziz says the training course he completed was vital in him securing his first permanent job after fleeing Burma in 2013 as a result of the government’s persecution of the Rohingya ethnic minority.

He competed a VET course with migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia – a certificate in Aged Care and Community Services – and is now working in an aged care facility in Wantirna South.

“The training course was very helpful. It was the reason I was able to get this job. I now have a career and I want to progress,” Aziz said.