A new campaign has been launched to attract more people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities to take up the federal government’s JobTrainer scheme.

The online and on television campaign week, is aimed at getting all Australians, regardless of age, employment status or background, to consider upskilling through low-fee or free courses in areas of high demand, with a focus on Australia’s booming care and digital sectors.

CEO of JobTrainer provider AMES Australia Cath Scarth said the move to engage CALD communities in free or low cost training was “very welcome”.

“Through our work with migrant and refugee communities, we know that for most people getting a job is the single most critical factor in successful settlement,” Ms Scarth said.

“We also know that there will be many jobs available in the care and digital sectors into the future, so it makes sense to provide training for people to take up jobs in these sectors,” she said.

“One of our Job Trainer students is Pema Kyi – a refugee from Tibet. As a teenager, she walked across the Himalayas with her parents to find safety in India.

“Since arriving in Australia through our humanitarian refugee program, it has been Pema’s dream to work in mental health.

“Because of JobTrainer she has completed a Cert III in Aged Care and is now studying for a Diploma in Mental Health,” Ms Scarth said.

Pema says working in mental health has always been a goal.

“My job is great and it has given me a lot of motivation to do further study and in the area of mental health especially to do with older people,” Pema said.

“Currently, I am studying a diploma in mental health. Since childhood I have been interested in people’s relationships and psychology and I want to work in the sector,” she said.

Figures show the $2 billion JobTrainer Fund has already helped tens of thousands from CALD communities to upskill in areas where there are jobs available.

Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, Stuart Robert launched the CALD JobTrainer campaign last week.

“The latest job vacancy figures show there are hundreds of thousands of jobs across a range of exciting industries available right now. There’s money on the table for people to get skills to work in these jobs and we want to see as many of them as possible filled by Australians from CALD backgrounds,” Mr Robert said.

He said the federal government’s expansion of the JobTrainer Fund will see it support around 463,000 training places nationally to help plug skills gaps.

The Productivity Commission has estimated that 250,000 extra workers will been needed in the care industries over the next five years.

To find out more on the courses available visit: www.myskills.gov.au/jobtrainer