Training is an important part of MRC Tasmania’s work to help build the cultural awareness, competency, and responsiveness of services across Tasmania.
Training is an important part of our mission to work with mainstream organisations to deliver culturally sensitive and inclusive services, and develop cross-cultural competency at individual and organisational levels.
MRC Tas has been delivering cultural awareness and specialist training for over 35 years. We deliver a regular program of cultural competency training workshops at our Glenorchy office. We also design and deliver customised trainings for Government agencies, service providers, health services, not-for profit and community groups, as well as the corporate and business sectors. Our training focusses on the knowledge, understanding and skills required to effectively communicate with and work alongside people from diverse backgrounds. Training materials and exercises are built from evidence-based research as well as practical experience working alongside people with lived experience of different cultures and migration pathways. Our training is engaging, interactive and experiential, and recognises that cultural competency is an ongoing process.
Our trainers
Our trainers have lived experience of migration, as well as relevant qualifications in Community Services, Human Resources, Social Work and Research. Sessions on refugee experience and mental health are co-delivered by experienced Counsellors and mental health professionals. All sessions are co-delivered by Bicultural workers who have lived experience relevant to the training focus.
How to register
You can register for scheduled trainings through Humanitx.
For groups of less than 8, who wat to attend a scheduled session you can register directly below.
If your group is larger, or you require a customised session, please get in touch for a quote, either by filling out our training request form, or email the training team on training@mrctas.org.au
A list of our currrent training sessions and packages are below. We are continusously refining and adding to our packages, so if you have specific requests please get in touch.
Scheduled Training Workshops: Glenorchy office
We offer regular Cultural Competency and Working with Interpreter training sessions which individuals are welcome to register to attend. Concessions are available for students and concession card holders. Discounts may be available for multiple registrations from one organisation.
General Training Sessions
Cultural Awareness Training
3 hours ($130or $100 concession)
Cultural Awareness Training provides the foundational knowledge and understanding needed to work effectively with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
This 3 hour workshop will cover:
- the broad concepts of ‘culture’ and cultural awareness
- Tasmania’s current demographics, including diversity in languages and religions
- common refugee experiences prior to arrival in Australia
- basic definitions regarding trauma
- cross-cultural communication skills
Working with Interpreters
2 hours ($100 or $80 concession)
The Working with Interpreters workshop will provide participants with greater understanding, knowledge and skills required to work with interpreters when providing services to people who do not speak English well or at all. This workshop will cover:
- Overview of legislation and policy
- Resources and practice guides available
- Role of interpreters
- Accessing interpreter services
- Strategies for communication
- Case scenarios and role plays
Working with People from a Refugee Background
Full day (price on request)
The Working with people from a Refugee background workshop will provide participants with greater in-depth knowledge and understanding needed to work effectively with people from a refugee like or asylum seeker background. This 6 hour workshop will cover:
- The broad concepts of culture and cultural awareness
- Tasmanian current demographics, including diversity in languages and religion
- Definitions and terms used in migration
- A framework for understanding work with refugees and asylum seekers
- Experiences of people from a refugee background, both prior to arrival in Tasmania and during resettlement
- Awareness and strategies to identify torture and trauma experience signs and symptoms
- Referral pathways to appropriate services
- Culturally appropriate assessment and interview resources
- An appropriate model of recovery used to work with people from a refugee background, and
- The Migrant Resource Centre and Phoenix Centre services
Cross-Cultural Communication
2 hours
Cultural Competency for the Workplace
2 – 4 hours
Specialist Mental Health Training
SafeTALK
3.5 hours
Phoenix Centre and LivingWorks Education present safeTALK workshop.
This 3.5 hour safeTALK workshop is for everyone who wants to help prevent suicide: front line workers, clergy, volunteers, parents, youth (age 15 and older), police officers, teachers, bicultural workers, interpreters or anyone who wants to learn suicide prevention skills.
Participants will learn four basic steps to recognise persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them with appropriate resources.
Most people with thoughts of suicide invite help but these opportunities can be missed, dismissed or avoided, leaving people more alone and at greater risk. safeTALK workshop prepares you to help by using TALK (Tell, Ask, Listen and KeepSafe).
Trauma-informed practice
2-3 hours
MYT/Youth Training Programs
Working with CALD Youth
Full day
Hosting this workshop is MYAN TAS. This workshop is guided by the National Youth Settlement Framework (NYSF) (the first of its kind in Australia), and will enable participants to respond more effectively to specific needs of young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds.
The workshop will:
- Cover the demographics of CALD youth in Tasmania
- Discuss the humanitarian settlement program in Tasmania
- Explore cultural identity
- Introduce the National Youth Settlement Framework
- Explore experiences of young people in the settlement journey
- Identify common challenges faced by all young people
- Improve understanding to facilitate good youth settlement through active citizenship
- Apply good practice capabilities
- Provide information on services and resources available in the Tasmanian youth sector
Participants can expect an interactive workshop, with exploration and discussion of case studies, and application of practical guides and resources. Participants will receive a copy of the National Youth Settlement Framework (NYSF) and an attendance certificate.
Contact: For more information, contact youth@mrctas.org.au or (03) 6221 0999.
Training Program – Working with Young People from a CALD Background
In addition to the workshops offered via the Training calendar, we offer a Working with Young People from a CALD Background Training Program for service providers, such as teachers, school support staff, youth workers, etc. This offers a flexible approach to professional learning for schools and organisations that work with young people.
See below for more information on the sessions:
Working with Young People from a CALD Background – Information Session – 1hr
Working with Young People from a CALD Background – Introduction to the Refugee Experience – 2hrs
Working with Young People from a CALD Background – Introduction to trauma informed practice – 2hrs
Working with Young People from a CALD Background – Trauma informed strategies – 2hrs
National Youth Settlement Framework – Information Session – 2hrs
This session focuses on young people aged 15 to 25 years of age who have migrated to Australia. It is hosted by MYAN TAS, delivered by staff from MRC Tas who deliver the Multicultural Youth Tasmania (MYT) Program, and a young person with a lived experience of migrating to Australia.
An overview of the National Youth Settlement Framework is provided, and participants will increase understanding of settlement experiences of young people and increase capacity to identify their specific needs.
An overview of services offered by the Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania, Multicultural Youth Tasmania (MYT), including youth programs and referral pathways.
Application of the National Youth Settlement Framework
7hrs
This session focuses on young people aged 15 to 25 years of age. It is hosted by MYAN TAS, delivered by staff from the Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania who deliver the Multicultural Youth Tasmania (MYT) Program, and young people from the MYAN Tasmania Youth Advisory Group – with a lived experience of migrating to Australia.
One in four Australian young people are from a refugee or migrant background. Their engagement as active citizens in Australian society has significant and long-term benefits for each young person, their families, communities, and a diverse and socially cohesive Australia.
However, young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds often face particular challenges in accessing the support and opportunities they need. Their settlement needs are distinct from adults and they commonly face additional and more complex transitions than their Australian-born counterparts.
This workshop is guided by the National Youth Settlement Framework (NYSF) – the first of its kind in Australia – and will enable participants to respond more effectively to specific needs of young people aged 15 to 25 years of age from refugee and migrant backgrounds.
Participants can expect an interactive workshop, with exploration and discussion of case studies, and application of practical guides and resources. Participants will receive a copy of the National Youth Settlement Framework (NYSF) and an attendance certificate.
The training we provide is helpful to achieve and maintain professional knowledge requirements of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and might be considered as evidence of professional development undertaken for the purpose of renewal of teacher registration.
To request training for your staff, or schedule a professional learning day, please contact us on 03 6221 0999 or training@mrctas.org.au
Training Programs for young people from a multicultural background
MRC Tas and the Phoenix Centre have developed training programs for young people. Our training sessions are aimed toward young people from a multicultural background, however can be delivered to mixed groups of young people from the same school or same purpose/intention.
All training is delivered by two facilitators, and originally based on resources that are evidence based and developed interstate by Foundation House, Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre or the Centre for Multicultural Youth. Where possible all resources are aligned to the Australian Curriculum.
All these modules and workshops are suitable for young people aged 15 to 25 years of age.
See below for more information on the sessions:
Positive Change Makers Youth Leadership Training
Positive Change Makers youth leadership training includes 10 modules that use experiential learning, circle work and group discussions to explore leadership with young people. In these modules young people will have the opportunity to develop an appreciation for ongoing learning and practice skills in self-reflection, communication, problem solving, critical thinking and innovation. The training is delivered by the MRC Tas Multicultural Youth Tasmania (MYT) team.
MYT will provide two facilitators and all training resources. Each module is three hours in length, and can be delivered independent of other modules. However, the facilitators may recommend a combination of modules (e.g. deliver two modules) to adequately address learning needs.
The training is aimed at young people from all backgrounds and may be useful to strengthen cohesion, team work and innovation in the school community or amongst peers in a variety of environments. Positive Change Makers training supports young people to actively participate and to create positive change in their own community.
MYT requires:
- A room with moveable furniture and chairs
- A whiteboard
- Space to move around
- Internet and audio-visual equipment to show videos with sound
- A minimum of 10 participants
Cost: Positive Change Makers is a fee for service training program. Please contact youth@mrctas.org.au for more information or to book a session.