SEVA is a non-profit, non-religious, non-political NGO, focused on the rapidly expanding Australian South Asian community in Sydney. This includes people of Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi, Nepali, Maldivian and Bhutanese ancestry. SEVA seeks to identify and support individuals and communities through capacity building projects and to work together in partnership to address identified social issues and needs of common concern.

SEVA is implementing a Mentoring Project to empower women of South Asian origin. Skills development especially of newly arrived South Asian women will help them understand the local workplace and social culture and achieve their potential in personal and working life.

Mentoring is a mutually enriching relationship between two people, one of whom shares knowledge, experience and wisdom with another person who is ready and willing to learn from this exchange about ways to enhance their professional journey. The main aim of the Mentoring project is to connect participants with mentors who will guide them and enable them to understand the local culture, workplace culture, personal presentation and basic office skills, interview skills, career planning and networking skills. The coaching provided will equip both those mentoring and those being mentored. The program will include training workshops and working with the mentor through an organised mentoring activity. The Mentoring Program will be held over a six month period and will involve attendance at three workshops which will be followed by the completion of a mentoring exercise over three months.

The workshops will be held over three Saturdays between 11am and 3pm at Coronation Club, 86 Burwood Road, Burwood NSW 2134. Light lunch will be provided.

Expressions of Interest are invited from South Asian women who wish to participate in the mentoring program, are seeking help and advice about entering the Australian workforce and those who are currently in entry level jobs and seek to improve their workplace skills. Sufficient knowledge of English language is essential to enable the participants to benefit from the mentoring program. Participation in the program is free. Expressions of Interest are also invited from those who wish to participate as mentors.

Applications close on 2 October 2015. Places are limited and suitable applicants will be offered on a first come first served basis. Placement priority will be given to more recent arrivals in the country.

For more information and to register your interest, please email sumati@sevainternational.org or visit http://sevainternational.org

This project is sponsored by Multicultural NSW