Employment Through Language
Employment through Language is a structured pre-employment and employment initiative designed to support individuals from priority cohorts in inner Metropolitan Melbourne into sustainable employment as interpreters and in language-related roles.
Registrations are now closed. Thank you for your interest.
Creating more jobs and support for interpreters
Employment Through Language (ETL) is a funded employment pathway program designed to help bilingual individuals transform their language skills into meaningful and sustainable employment. Delivered by 2M Language Services through the Workforce Australia Local Jobs Program, ETL supports participants from priority cohorts across Inner Metropolitan Melbourne to develop the skills, experience and industry connections needed to secure employment as interpreters and in other language-related roles.
The program offers two pathways: a Fast-Track Pathway for participants who have already completed interpreting studies and are seeking support towards NAATI credentialling and employment, and a Full Training Pathway for participants who are new to the profession and require foundational interpreter training, industry preparation and career support.
Through training, mentoring, work-integrated learning, employability skills development and industry engagement, ETL helps participants build rewarding careers while addressing critical interpreter shortages across healthcare, legal, aged care, disability, community and government services.
"The Employment through Language program is a fantastic initiative that through its connection of training, mentoring, support, and employment outcomes has a great opportunity to make a real impact in increasing the interpreter workforce, and supporting Australia's multicultural society."
Michael Nemarich, Chief Operating Officer, NAATI.
About the Program
Turn Your Language Skills into Employment Opportunities
Employment Through Language (ETL) is a funded employment pathway program designed to help bilingual individuals transform their language skills into meaningful and sustainable employment. Delivered by 2M Language Services through the Workforce Australia Local Jobs Local People Program, ETL supports participants from priority cohorts across Inner Metropolitan Melbourne to develop the skills, experience and industry connections needed to secure employment as interpreters and in other language related roles. Whether you already have interpreting studies or are just starting your journey, ETL provides a structured pathway into one of Australia’s fastest-growing sectors.
What the Program Offers
Participants may receive access to:
✔ Individual employment and career pathway planning
✔ Industry induction and orientation training
✔ Interpreting skills development and professional mentoring
✔ Employability and workplace readiness training
✔ Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities
✔ NAATI credentialling preparation and support
✔ Pathways into paid interpreter and language-related employment
✔ Ongoing support from experienced language industry professionals
Two Program Pathways
Fast-Track Pathway
For participants who have already completed interpreting studies and are looking to progress towards NAATI credentialling and employment opportunities.
Full Training Pathway
For participants without previous interpreting studies who wish to build the skills and qualifications required to enter the profession and pursue language-related careers.
Who Can Apply?
The program is designed for bilingual individuals who:
- Speak English and at least one other language
- Have work rights in Australia
- Are interested in interpreting or language-related employment
- Are able to participate in training and program activities
Participants may be referred through Workforce Australia providers, Transition to Work, Parent Pathways, Inclusive Employment Australia, community organisations, training providers or may apply directly.
Employment Outcomes
ETL focuses on creating real employment opportunities across sectors where qualified interpreters and bilingual professionals are in high demand, including:
- Healthcare
- Aged Care
- Disability Services
- Community Services
- Government Services
- Legal Services
The program also supports participants to pursue NAATI credentialling and build long-term careers in the language services industry.
Why Language Skills Matter
Australia’s multicultural communities rely on skilled interpreters and bilingual professionals to access essential services, participate fully in society and communicate effectively across languages and cultures. Employment Through Language helps unlock the economic value of bilingual skills while addressing interpreter shortages and strengthening community access to services.
Register Your Interest
Ready to turn your language skills into employment opportunities? Register today and take the first step towards a rewarding career in the language services sector.
What is involved?
What is the Employment Through Language Program?
Employment through Language is a structured pre-employment and employment initiative designed to support individuals from priority cohorts in inner Metropolitan Melbourne into sustainable employment as interpreters and in language-related roles.
Who delivers the program?
2M Language Services in partnership with training providers and industry stakeholders.
What outcomes does the program aim to achieve?
• Employment outcomes
• National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) credentialing preparation
• Improved job readiness
Who is the program for?
The program is for:
1. Bilingual Speakers without previous interpreting studies
2. Bilingual speakers with previous interpreting studies
Entry requirements
To be eligible for the program you must:
i) be an Australian citizen or permanent resident living in Victoria;
ii) have eligible working rights;
iii) have a good command of English and a language other than English;
iv) obtain a Police Check & Working with Children Check; and
v) have reliable access to a working computer and internet.
Course cost
Free of charge.
Workforce Australia Local Jobs is funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
Frequently Asked Questions
General
Please contact the 2M Language Services team via email Localjobs@2m.com.au or call 03 9000 0751
Participant Eligibility
The program aims to support up to 80 individuals, prioritising those individuals registered in employment services, with strong bilingual skills and work rights.
Eligible employment services programs for this activity are Workforce Australia Services, Transition to Work, Parent Pathways and Inclusive Employment Australia.
Parent and carer-friendly hours are available for interpreting and language-related roles.
Through a 2M Internal Assessment and LOTE/English assessment through RMIT/NAATI computer based language proficiency test
All languages are accepted.
Participants that do not meet this criteria will not be considered for the program.
No. Both experienced and new candidates are supported.
There are 2 streams:
- Fast Track Stream is for participants with previous interpreting studies
- Full Training Stream is for participants without previous interpreting studies
Candidates must be able to obtain a clear National Police Check and a Working with Children Check before commencing work as interpreters.
Basic computer literacy is required, this includes :
- Access to a computer and a mobile device,
- Access to emails
- Being able to participate in webinars
- Being able to download a mobile app
Access to a computer and a mobile device will be required outside of working hours.
Referral Process
- Apply through 2M Language Services’ Referral Form
- Once 2M Language Services has confirmed eligibility, please refer the participant to the ‘Employment through Language’ activity (Activity ID: 100819960) in Workforce Australia Online for Providers.
To identify candidates and support engagement
Course Structure
The IESP involves online and face-to-face training sessions:
Stage | Fast Track Stream – Prior Interpreting Studies | Full Training Stream – No Prior Interpreting Studies | Lead Responsibility | Indicative Timeframe | Outcome / Milestone |
Referral & Application | Referral from Employment Services Provider or direct application | Referral from Employment Services Provider or direct application | Employment Services Provider / 2M | Week 1 | Participant registered |
Eligibility Screening | Language suitability and employment pathway screening | Language suitability and employment pathway screening | 2M | Week 1 | Eligible participant identified |
Individual Support Plan | Employment and credential pathway planning | Employment and training pathway planning | 2M | Weeks 1–2 | Individual pathway confirmed |
Industry Induction & Orientation | 2M industry induction and employability orientation | 2M industry induction and employability orientation | 2M | Week 2 | Participant onboarding completed |
Interpreter Training | NAATI preparation and industry readiness | RMIT Skill Set training + interpreting foundations | RMIT / 2M | Weeks 2–14 | Interpreter capability development |
Employability Skills | Interview preparation, digital literacy and workplace readiness | Interview preparation, digital literacy and workplace readiness | 2M | Weeks 4–10 | Employment readiness support |
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) | Industry placement and observation opportunities | Industry placement and observation opportunities | 2M / Industry Partners | Weeks 6–10 | Industry exposure and experience |
NAATI Exam Preparation | Preparation support for credential pathway | Preparation support for credential pathway | 2M/ NAATI | Weeks 8–12 | Credential readiness |
Includes training, RMIT Interpreting Skillset course (for cohorts of the Full Training Stream), Work-Integrated Learning (WIL), National Accreditation Authority Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) exam preparation, mentoring and employment pathways.
Costs and Support
No cost to participants. Workforce Australia Local Jobs is funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
Employability Skills
Employability skills are the non-technical skills, behaviours, and workplace capabilities that support participants to gain and maintain employment in the language services industry.
Examples may include:
- Professional communication
- Punctuality and reliability
- Workplace professionalism
- Confidentiality and ethics
- Cultural responsiveness
- Teamwork
- Digital literacy
- Client service skills
- Problem-solving
- Adaptability
- Understanding interpreter protocols and workplace expectations
Work-Integrated Learning
The Work-Integrated Learning is a 5 day online placement that includes:
- Simulated Interpreting Practice
- Mentoring by experienced interpreters
- Industry observation
- Employer-led projects or practical tasks
- Remote and digital interpreting practice
- Reflective practice
- Employment transition activities
Outcomes and Employment
Participants will be supported into interpreting or language-related roles.