Victoria Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations Richard Dalla-Riva

Victoria Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Nicholas Kotsiras

Strengthening Economic And Cultural Links With Greece And Germany Through Skilled Migration

Victor P Taffa

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations Richard Dalla-Riva said employers would have the opportunity to find skilled workers from abroad through the Victorian Government’s supported information sessions on skilled migration to be held in Europe next month.

The information sessions will be conducted in Berlin, Germany on 6 October and in Athens, Greece on the weekend of 8-9 October, as part of the Skills Australia Needs program hosted by the Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Mr. Dalla-Riva said attracting more skilled workers from overseas would further expand Victoria’s skilled workforce and strengthen competitiveness.

“Through these sessions, Victorian employers will be able to talk directly with highly skilled workers from Greece and Germany.” Mr. Dalla-Riva said.

Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Nicholas Kotsiras welcomed Victoria’s participation in the sessions and emphasised the importance of skilled migration to Victoria.

“Migrants make a major contribution to our economy culture and global connectivity, with skilled migrants further enhancing Victoria’s rich multicultural tapestry.” Mr. Kotsiras said.

“The sessions coincide with the recent establishment of eight new multicultural Regional Advisory Councils across Victoria which will further strengthen the state’s ability to identify and address regional settlement issues, including the identification of any regional skills gaps.

“The role of the eight councils in helping to identify issues of settlement and skills gaps will be an important one.”

Mr. Kotsiras also said a new Settlement Coordination Unit – the first of its kind in Australia – would identify critical gaps and coordinate between state, local and federal jurisdictions to ensure improved service responses for newly arrived migrants across Victoria.

Employers interested in participating should contact the Victorian Skilled and Business Migration program on 9938 0556 or skilled@liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au

VIC Minister for Multicultural Affairs & Citizenship Nicholas Kotsiras