The aim of this thesis is to examine the employment situation of recent Sri Lankan skilled immigrants in Victoria and whether they need further education and re-training in order to face emerging technological changes or to update their skills. The underemployment and unemployment problem faced by the Sri Lankan skilled immigrants is an issue for both the Australian economy and the migrants. The following set of premises has been used for the study; a) the migrants' educational qualifications, training and skills are recognised by the Department of Immigration Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) of Australia, b) they are having difficulties in finding and keeping suitable jobs, although some have found employment commensurate with their qualifications, and c) the reason for their difficulties are many and complex. The essential format of the research is to identify and explain the many and complex reasons for such unemployment or underemployment. This study is based upon a survey of three contrasting Sri Lankan immigrant groups: a) trade persons and related workers with certificates or no qualifications b) technical or associate professionals with diploma or associate diploma level qualifications and c) professionals (engineers) with university degrees or their equivalent. Subjects for the surveys were through three relevant alumni organisations based in Melbourne, and through personal contact. The survey was supplemented with some applying qualitative methods that involved unstructured interviews, and small case studies. Recommendations have been proposed to assist in solving the issues that were identified through the study. Although the recommendations mentioned in the study provide a starting point, it is stressed that further research is needed to be undertaken before implementing such suggested solutions. Therefore, this thesis serves as a foundation in highlighting the loss of services of skilled immigrants within the labour market in Australia, particularly among the Sri Lankan community, and proposing recommendations to address this issue.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/210136 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | Liyanaratchi, Karunatissa Hal, not supplied |
| Publisher | RMIT University. Education |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | http://www.rmit.edu.au/help/disclaimer, Copyright Karunatissa Hal Liyanaratchi |
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