Welcome to Workbridge

Refugee Jobseekers

Workbridge is delivering a pilot program aimed at helping refugees in Manawatu find sustainable and fulfilling employment. Our service offers expert assistance in developing a clear pathway to employment, ensuring that refugees have access to the resources and guidance they need to succeed. You can find out more about this pilot here.

Supporting Your Success

We understand refugees’ unique challenges when seeking employment, and we are here to offer genuine support to help secure sustainable employment in New Zealand. We are passionate about this program and positively impacting the lives of refugees in Manawatu.

Our exceptional personalised career and development planning services are tailored to meet your specific needs. Our main goal is to provide you with a clear and achievable path towards your career and employment goals. 

We help eliminate barriers hindering your job search. On top of that, we’ve got a wide range of amazing employment opportunities to match your unique skills. Join us today, and let’s embark on an amazing journey to success together!

Eligibility

We are proud to extend this opportunity to the following groups of people living in Manawatu who are eligible for our services: quota refugees, convention refugees with a valid work or residence visa, people who arrived through the RFSC pathway, people who arrived through COR, and people who arrived through the Afghan interpreters or Afghan response process.


If you’d like to know more, email rs@workbridge.co.nz.

Success Stories

YouTube video
Seedling – Patrick

23-year old Patrick shares his story of finding employment with Workbridge.

When Patrick developed his condition, it required him to leave his current job to find something that would support him both physically and mentally and help with his development and recovery. Finding the right job (and not the first thing that was offered) was crucial.

Having to explain his condition to employers over and over and feeling almost unheard, Patrick turned to Workbridge for help. He was connected with Employment Consultant, David, and together they created a profile to gain a better understanding of the types of jobs Patrick was interested in and the skills and attributes he would be able to bring to his new workplace.

It wasn’t long after, that Patrick was referred and successfully chosen for an Analyst position at Seedling, a small consultancy business which provides operational and financial support to social enterprises and impact businesses.

Patrick has been with Seedling since September 2020 and is the first employee to be hired by Seedling.

Being able to work from home has allowed Patrick to manage his condition. Patrick is fully supported, feels he can be open and honest with his employer and couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.

Watch, listen, read and share Patrick’s story.

YouTube video
Wellington City Council – Cameron

24-year old Cameron moved to Wellington 6 years ago to further develop his love for writing into a career. He attended Victoria University and graduated with a Bachelor of Communication Degree.

Towards finishing his degree, Cameron feared that he would struggle to find employment because of his particular desires and needs and he felt unemployable. After connecting with Workbridge, Cameron landed a role at Wellington City Council where he supports the Internal Communications team on a number of communications-related projects.

Cameron is in a job that he absolutely loves, bust most importantly, he is part of a team that supports him.

Watch, listen, read and share Cameron’s story.

YouTube video
Ministry of Social Development – Francesca

24-year old Francesca shares her story of finding work post-lockdown.

Since June, Francesca has been employed as a Central Processing Officer for Ministry of Social Development supporting the customer service teams which have become increasingly busy as a result of COVID-19.

Francesca is an incredibly smart, caring and determined young woman.Although she is naturally an arts person, she thrives off the challenges her new role brings.

“I like the challenge, this is something that probably wouldn’t come naturally to me…you’re learning new things all the time and you’re helping people, I like that!” – Francesca

Watch, listen, read and share Francesca’s story.