For refugees and asylum seekers, establishing a professional career in Australia can sometimes feel like a pipe dream, but Fulton Hogan Australia is turning those pipe dreams into pathways through our relationship with non-profit organisation, CareerSeekers.

Our three-year Article 23 Partnership officially hit the one-year milestone in August, and we are proud to have exceeded our commitment to provide ten intern positions, with 12 participants undertaking internships across the Mid-Career and Student programs. 

At least 30 positions will be offered throughout the agreement, which helps provide the extra support participants need to develop skills or adapt their experience to Australian workplaces. 

CareerSeekers allows us to build on our inclusive culture and access the varied and often exceptional skills of humanitarian entrants, like 18-year-old student, Emad Jarad, who arrived in Australia in 2017 after fleeing war-torn Syria. 

Through the program, Emad initially completed a 12-week internship on the Newell Highway Upgrade – Mungle Back Creek to Boggabilla project during his university holidays. He has now been offered a part-time position on the Coomera Connector (Stage 1 Central) project while he continues his Civil Engineering degree. 

CEO Australia Construction, Brett Smiley, says it’s a privilege to be a part of CareerSeekers’ journeys, for a partnership that benefits all of us.

“We have the honour of providing opportunities that can change someone’s life and the lives of those around them.

“The journey, like Emad and his family made to get to Australia, paired with the challenges of learning a new culture, language and skills, shows the incredible drive, diversity and experience they can bring to Fulton Hogan,” says Brett.

Fulton Hogan Project Manager, Jason Gibb, feels that Emad has slotted in really well with the team. 

“He’s very enthusiastic and keen to learn!

“I think CareerSeekers is a fantastic program, and it only strengthens your team to have this kind of diversity, experience, background and culture adding to the mix in a positive way,” says Jason. 

Emad hopes to continue his journey with Fulton Hogan and has his eyes set on the Graduate Programme in the coming years. 

“To be able to study and be normal citizens, it may not seem like much to an average Australian, but it means a lot for me and my family,” says Emad.