Employment and enterprise of young migrant women
The project (2024 - 2027) is funded by Australian Research Council and led by academic researchers from 91É«ÇéƬ Sydney and Western Sydney University. In partnership with Liverpool City Council, CORE Community Services, Western Sydney Migrant Resource Centre, Navitas, Liverpool Neighbourhood Centre, Curious Works and 15/15 Film Festival, the project seeks to make use of place-based perspectives to map the workforce and business landscape of the Southwest Sydney region.
It will identify the types of industry and social enterprises, potential employment and enterprise opportunities, and local organisations’ capacity to work with newly arrived migrant women in the context of socio-economic recovery post-pandemic and cost of living related challenges. Using a strengths-based approach, a survey and interviews will help understand young migrant women’s potential and their interests, skills, and knowledge gaps in career advancement. Informed by data from the findings, the project will co-create an online career hub co-hosted with partner organisations which will be of long-term benefit to newly arrived communities.
About
Background
In the post–COVID-19 period, and amid the cost-of-living crisis, employment outcomes for young migrant women, particularly those living in Western Sydney, have been significantly impacted.
During the pandemic, the region and its workers faced the problem of being blamed for any emerging societal social and economic challenges, racism, tighter lockdown measures, and increased care responsibilities in the domestic sphere.
Southwest Sydney is considered to have the fastest growing population of newly arrived young migrants in NSW, specifically in the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Liverpool and Fairfield (Department of Communities and Justice, 2021).
The unemployment rate in the region is at a rate of 6.2% compared to an overall rate of 4.9% in NSW.
Aim
The project seeks to examine the structural obstacles exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. And through the use of place-based perspectives, the project will map the workforce and business landscape of the Western Sydney region, identify the types of industry and social enterprises, potential employment and enterprise opportunities, and local organisations’ capacity to work with newly arrived migrant women in the context of socio-economic recovery post pandemic.
Method
Using a strengths-based approach and intersectionality lens, a survey and interviews will be conducted to help understand young migrant women’s potential, interests, aspirations, skills, and knowledge gaps in career advancement.
Research outcomes
As part of the project, an online career hub will be built for young migrant women with employment resources and mentorship opportunities.
Ongoing research
Ongoing research
Informed by data from the findings, the project will co-create an online career hub co-hosted with community partner organisations which will be of long-term benefit to newly arrived communities.
Meet the team
Partner organisations
