Iraqi refugee Johnny Aoshana has landed his dream job thanks to support from AMES Australia's employment team in Parramatta.
Johnny and his family arrived from Iraq as refuges in September 2019. He became an AMES client in November 2022 and was supported by AMES Employment Mentor Rasha Nikro and Employment Engagement Specialist Metz Nelio.
To improve his English, Johnny initially studied a Certificate III in Spoken and Written English.
But his ultimate goal was to become a chef and that's where AMES stepped in to support him.
“Johnny is a very disciplined and ambitious person who is eager to learn and work," Rasha said.
“He wanted to pursue a career as a chef so he enrolled in a Certificate II Hospitality course which he completed and then moved on to a Certificate III course in Commercial Cookery.
“He always expressed to me how it was his dream to be a chef and that he would like to work in the food industry," Rasha said.
Johnny was supported with creating a resume and job search.
“In January 2023, Metz sent out a chef vacancy role at Randwick Racecourse. I contacted Johnny and discussed the role with him and advised him that it was a good place to start," Rasha said.
“He was very keen and Metz forwarded his details to the employer and he got a first interview. I contacted him again to discuss some tips for the interview, and to give him encouragement and moral support.
“Because of his enthusiasm Johnny got the position and was thrilled to tell me the good news.
“It was a rewarding feeling to have made a difference in someone's life, and helped them not only secure a job, but also their dream job.
“I continue to support my client and contact him regularly to see his work progress and to discuss any hardship he encounters in his new job," Rasha said.
Johnny said he was enjoying his role and was keen to build his career in food.
“I'm enjoying my job very much and I want to thank Rasha, Metz and the team at AMES," he said.