This month we proudly renewed our agreement with CareerSeekers. CareerSeekers is a social enterprise dedicated to supporting humanitarian arrivals to overcome the barriers and issues they are faced with when seeking to establish or recommence their careers in Australia.  

Ventia has partnered with CareerSeekers since 2019, and we have supported both mid-career interns and university students looking for work experience. 

John Gelagin, CareerSeekers CEO, spoke passionately about the partnership between Ventia and CareerSeekers, and what it means for them and their interns.  

We love having a partnership with Ventia we and are thrilled to extend this for a further three years.

"Not only does this mean that former refugees will obtain paid professional work opportunities with a great organisation, but it also provides CareerSeekers with the certainty and confidence over multiple years to keep doing what we do." 

Ventia has proudly offered internship opportunities to a number of individuals across our business since 2019, many of whom we have been able to offer permanent roles.   

As part of the new contract agreement, we have committed to offering a minimum of 40 internship placements over the three-year term.  

Jodie Blake, Ventia's General Executive - People, Safety and Culture, was on hand to sign the renewed agreement, and spoke about how excited she was to see the program continue across Ventia. 

"It's been particularly pleasing to see so many interns being able to take up opportunities across Ventia, but what's really fabulous is that many of the interns have gone on to secure full-time roles with us.  

Our new partnership with CareerSeekers confirms our commitment to the program, and I look forward to seeing how we can continue to grow and support CareerSeekers across the Ventia business.

^{Pictured: Ventia's Jodie Blake and CareerSeekers John Gelagin signing the new contract.} 

Providing new opportunities: Raghad Smoqa 

At our contract renewal event, we had the opportunity to hear from Raghad Smoqa, a project coordinator with Ventia on our NBN Fixed Wireless contract. Raghad started with Ventia as a CareerSeekers intern in April and since finishing her internship, has commenced a full-time role with Ventia.

Originally from Iraq, Raghad and her family were forced to flee to Jordan in 2018, before arriving in Australia in 2021.

When first arriving in Australia, Raghad said she faced lots of challenges, like improving her English and taking care of her family, but she knew she wanted to return to work. 

"As a person who loves working, it was not easy to stay at home and just do my regular responsibilities," said Raghad. "It was important for me to start my career in Australia." 

^{Pictured: Raghad Smoqa, Ventia project coordinator shared her personal experience as a new Australian and reestablishing her career.}  

Connecting with CareerSeekers proved to be just the opportunity Raghad needed, with the training and support giving her the encouragement she needed to succeed and secure a role with Ventia. 

It feels like CareerSeekers are making a puzzle, by finding the right person for the right position. I feel like I have found the right position here at Ventia.

"I love this role and it suits me, as I can use all my previous experience from overseas. I feel valued and that I can build a better version of myself. After many difficult years I can remember my dreams, and I'm ready to work on them now." 

Watch our video below to hear from some of the Ventia team who have joined us via CareerSeekers.