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Skilled migration to WA
Western Australia has exciting opportunities for skilled migrants. But how can you convince employers to give you that job? Tanya Bouffler gives an insight into the WA job market
Many Brits are considering migrating to the resource rich State of Western Australia, either to obtain work or to purchase their own business, writes Tanya Bouffer.
With the title of one of the fastest growing cities in Australia, Mandurah and the surrounding Peel region, located 50-minutes south of the state capital city of Perth, offers an enviable lifestyle with the Indian Ocean and the Peel Inlet, the largest inland waterway in Western Australia as its playground. This aquatic lifestyle coupled with many work and investment opportunities makes it a desirable destination for many migrants.
Mandurah currently offers numerous opportunities within the mining, oil and gas, and major infrastructure projects. The region is leading the state in a building boom, and the region is in need of skilled workers. The local workforce can't keep up with the demand and skilled migrants are actively being sought to complement the local community.
As anyone who has relocated with their family, even within the United Kingdom, will know, it is one of the most stressful times of your life. There are so many different aspects involved in making the move abroad: getting a job, choosing where to live, the list goes on. In Mandurah, a new company, Absolute Migration and Employment Services Western Australia (AMESWA), has been set up by a number of specialists in the migration, employment, education, real estate, business and financial industries to cater for the rising number of migrants pouring into the area. The growth of the immigration industry in Mandurah is a clear sign of just how important it is to identify and prepare every step of the process.
Everything from getting the most suitable visa, to finding the right advice on educational options, and looking after your employment and financial needs.
Education facilities are excellent in Mandurah and the Peel region, providing a diverse range of opportunities for students of all ages. There are a good mix of government and privately operated schools in addition to a technical and further education facility and university. Lifelong learning is promoted in the area with many varied and interesting options available from part time lifestyle courses to full time diplomas and university courses.
Terry Collier, a local employment professional who also migrated from the UK, says, "Obtaining the best positions in your field is always going to be a challenging process."
He continues, "You need to shine. Sell yourself so that your CV stands out from others.
"Detail not only what your duties were in your previous positions, but what you actually achieved."Also, ensure that your current position is listed first, under your work history."
Collier works with AMESWA, assisting with job searches and employer sponsorship.
He beleives it makes things easier for migrants who haven't yet arrived in Western Australia and don't know where to start looking for work. He explains, "Basically, we prepare professional CVs that will be well received in Australia either before you relocate or after your arrival."
For those emigrating on a business visa, it's important to ensure that every facet of starting your own business is sound and will grow wherever you chose to eventually settle.
In Mandurah, AMESWA business broker and real estate agent, Kevin Mahney, says new Western Australian businesses are thriving. "Business growth is good in the area, and with the continual influx of new residents, both migrants and Australians who choose to live in this progressive region, many new business opportunities exist. "New businesses are being listed each week so it is best to keep updated with the market. We like our clients to keep in touch and get regular information."
Obviously it's harder for people in the UK to network with local employers and residents in WA, which makes a big difference as face-to-face meetings have a greater impact on your chances of successfully finding a job than sending off numerous CVs and phoning. Making sure you have transferable skills and recognised qualifications are also important, so it might be worth checking the Australian Qualifications Framework website (see credits).
Chairman of AMESWA, John Bolton says that after many years of working in the industry assisting migrants to relocate, it had become apparent that the process could be streamlined to expedite the requirements when relocating and reduce the associated stress. "Local businesses in each of the nominated areas were very keen to become involved with this new 'one-stop' concept and are fully committed to give their professional support to migrants," he adds. Accommodation options in Mandurah and the Peel region vary considerably from first class accommodation on a man made canal where your boat can be moored at your back gate, homes with uninterrupted views across the Indian Ocean, to more modest housing in one of the newer suburbs.
The average price for rental accommodation in the suburbs is AUS$250 (£104) per week for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home. With its mix of new exciting developments, pristine natural habitat, friendly locals, including the dolphins and pelicans, all located on Perth's doorstep, it's no wonder Mandurah and the Peel region is seen as a very desirable destination for many migrants.
Last year, 38 per cent of the migrants that arrived in Western Australia came from the UK, and three quarters of those who arrived in the state came under the skills visa.
Read other articles about Western Australia:
Prices in Mandurah rise sharply
Get to know Western Australia
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