A ROXBURGH Park man who came to Australia as a refugee has been recognised for his work in helping disadvantaged people find employment.
Yasir Mahmud, 39, has been named as one of three finalists in a national award.
He is nominated for the employment consultant of the year award at the National Employment Awards for Excellence, hosted by the National Employment Services Association.
The winner will be announced in Sydney tonight.
Mr Mahmud, who came to Australia as a refugee from Eritrea in 1994, completed a bachelor's degree in engineering followed by a masters in telecommunications engineering.
He entered the employment services industry in 2008 after working as a community guide and settlement information officer with AMES.
"I was doing community work and found satisfaction in dealing with people. I'm the type of person who is happy helping people in need. I found employment is more satisfying. It is changing people's lives," Mr Mahmud said.
Within six months he was recognised by his employer Campbell Page Employment Service for helping the most number of people find work in the north-west Victoria region.
He was also recognised as the highest achieving employee across the organisation's 80 offices in Australia.
In December last year, Mr Mahmud won Mission of Hope's Australian Muslim role model of the year award for his career achievements, his work with volunteer and community organisations and for helping refugee families and young people.
He has also founded a career service, Innovative Youth Career Path, for African youths.
He is now studying a management and leadership course at Victoria University during his weekends.
Mr Mahmud said it was overwhelming to be nominated for the national award.
"I have found more satisfaction in doing work that involves helping people, regardless of their age, race, ethnicity or education level," he said.
"The most satisfying thing is when I work with my clients and see their happiness - their smiling faces - once their lives are changed for the better."
Mr Mahmud now works for Australian Community Support Organisation in North Melbourne. He works mainly with disadvantaged jobseekers who face barriers including refugee status, poor English skills, a disability, mental illness, drug or alcohol addiction, or being long-term unemployed.
He said his refugee background had helped him relate to his clients.
"I know their background. I work with empathy because I know them and where they came from.
I want to be a role model for the youth. That is my intention."
NESA chief executive Sally Sinclair said the awards acknowledged the direct and lasting impact that employment services had on improving the social fabric of society.
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