Eight new Cowra residents who have migrated to the Central West from Congo are accessing a unique program at TAFE NSW to learn English, find employment and adapt to their new lifestyles.

TAFE NSW delivers the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) to migrants to assist with their transition to Australian life. The AMEP provides up to 510 hours of free English lessons and childcare to newly arrived eligible migrants and refugees.

Hakiza Mushapa Blaise is one of more than 200,000 new Australians who have migrated to the country since 2016, and one of the many thousands that have benefited from the AMEP at TAFE NSW.i

Mr Blaise said, “I came from Congo as a refugee with my wife Beatrice and our five children and have lived in Cowra for 10 months.

“I have started learning English at TAFE NSW and working at Moxey Farms. I am really enjoying the course, the teachers are very helpful.

“My English is improving all the time, and it’s helping our family settle into this lovely country and beautiful community.”

TAFE NSW AMEP Teacher, Stephen Johnston, said the AMEP program helps students learn vital everyday, practical skills that most of us take for granted.

“Learning how to open a bank account, access healthcare, find work and further study, listening, reading and writing skills, as well as learning about Australian society and culture are just some of the everyday skills students learn,” he said.

The AMEP Program is funded by the Australian Government.

For more information about enrolling in the AMEP at TAFE NSW, phone 1800 114 707 or visit tafensw.edu.au/amep

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I Migrant Intake into Australia. Productivity Commission Inquiry Report. No.77, 13 April 2016.

Media contact: Luke Schuyler, TAFE NSW Media and Communications Business Partner, 0439 536 563.