Case study: Finding Deen – a SMEC success story

More and more, organisations are discovering the immense value in fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Beyond being a moral imperative, embracing workers from different backgrounds and experiences brings about numerous benefits, including enhanced creativity, improved decision-making and increased productivity.

With roots from the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme in the 1950s, global engineering firm SMEC – formerly known as the Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation – knows a thing or two about attracting and retaining a diverse, adaptable international workforce.

In this case study, we meet SMEC State Manager Qld/NT Samiul Hossain and Syrian electrical engineer Mohieddin (Deen) Alasali – a recent recruit to the SMEC family – and we learn how SMEC puts diversity and inclusion into practice every day.

Deen's journey

Deen worked as electrical engineer in manufacturing for 2 years in Syria after graduating from Damascus University.

After migrating from Syria, Deen then worked as a volunteer language interpreter and education project assistant to support and empower refugees and asylum seekers in Thailand for several years before coming to Australia in April 2022.

Engineering has always been Deen's passion and he has been actively looking to re-enter his profession since arriving in Australia.

'Relocating to a new country is challenging on different levels,' Deen said.

'Finding a career that matches my interest and passion wasn't an easy task for me here in Australia and, as a result, I was considering changing my profession.

'Then my employment officer from Multicultural Australia invited me to attend an event about attracting and retaining engineers from migrant backgrounds at Parliament House.

'I had the chance to meet a SMEC State Manager during the event and after that I went through a formal recruitment process and was accepted as electrical engineer.

'My role is to design and develop sustainable electrical systems, and it is really fulfilling. You require a strong technical background and problem-solving skills.

'Being an electrical engineer at SMEC means that I have the privilege to work on major projects that impact Australian society in a positive way. To me, this is my dream job and I am living the dream at SMEC right now.'

Being open and visible helps SMEC attract talent

SMEC's track record recruiting global talent, including how they discovered Deen, is proof that having a commitment to diversity and inclusion – and making it visible externally – creates opportunities and is a major drawcard for attracting quality into your workforce.

As State Manager Qld/NT Samiul Hossain said, SMEC values opportunities to find and connect with new and diverse talent through community, industry and other partnerships.

Samiul met Deen at the launch of Attracting and retaining engineers from migrant backgrounds: A guide for employers, hosted by the Queensland Government in partnership with Consult Australia and Engineers Australia, which also hosts global talent networking events.

Deen was invited to attend by his employment officer at Multicultural Australia, a Diverse Queensland Workforce program provider.

'It was quite clear to me that Deen was very capable but was facing many of the barriers that other skilled migrants looking for working in their professions face,' Samiul said.

'I did what many in my organisation would have done and that was to invite Deen in for a discussion and from there he was offered an employment contract and started with us in April this year.

'I have no doubt that our organisation is richer as a result of Deen joining us because he brings a wealth of life experience which we would not have access to otherwise.'

More information and support

• Diverse Queensland Workforce Program – find services supporting migrants, refugees and international students into employment across Queensland.
• Attracting and retaining engineers from migrant backgrounds: A guide for employers.
• Industry Workforce Advisors – providing workforce planning support to employers in small to medium-sized businesses.
• Employing and managing people – find workforce management information and advice, ranging from workforce planning to building high-performing, positive workplaces where staff want to start and stay.