When Matter Machar arrived from the Sudan as a refugee, he had no job and few prospects. Now he has it all, including a job at Greater Dandenong Council, skills in youth services and prospects of a long career.
Employed as Council’s Youth Services Sports Inclusion Officer, Matter Machar works with young people from a range of culturally and linguistically diverse communities across the municipality. He coordinates Council’s Sports Inclusion Program, which develops pathways for young people and encourages them to develop their social, communication and emotional skills.
The program currently runs a basketball, futsal and volleyball program, attracting large numbers of young people each week.
Matter Machar was recently awarded the Victorian Trainee of the Year and Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year.
Trained by Education Training and Employment (ETEA), he completed a Certificate IV in Youth Services and Protective Care.
Funded through the Victorian Government under the Apprenticeship/Traineeship Training Program, Matter was able to undertake a flexible course to meet his individual needs and secure a position. Even though he had a degree in Applied Science, Matter found that this vocational employment training course led him to secure employment.
Matter Machar said the great value of the training was its flexibility to meet his needs along with his place of employment.
ETEA Chief Executive Officer, Domenica Kemp, congratulated Matter Machar on his tremendous achievement. She said one of the most satisfying aspects of working with the company was seeing people succeed.
“People such as Matter are what we are about,” she said. “We train people from all walks of life and it is particularly gratifying to see Matter take full advantage of the training and move ahead.
“It goes without saying that Matter is a fine young man who has demonstrated the power that individuals have to overcome their circumstance in such an inspiring manner. This awe inspiring young man has overcome a complex set of issues that he faced as a Sudanese to become an outstanding role model in our community.
“ETEA’s strong links to industry together with industry specialists providing training and assessment who themselves have worked at the frontline enables us to tailor our training programs to keep up with the ever changing demands of the community.”
ETEA has a 98 per cent course completion rate and a 95 per cent employment rate upon successful completion of their training.
Last year, ETEA trained 1,600 people across Australia in the health and community services industry sectors
ETEA delivers both nationally recognised and non award qualifications throughout various states across Australia, specialising in the Health and Community Services industries.
ETEA’s training programs address the required skills and knowledge demanded by industry to increase the employment prospects of its students.
