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Do you have the skills
New Zealand continues to have the lowest unemployment rate in the OECD show statistics confirmed by New Zealand’s latest Household Labour Force Survey
Just one of the many good reasons for emigrating to New Zealand, is skilled British workers can find unique job opportunities along with an improved lifestyle writes Kate Baddeley.
The qualifying bar for the skilled migrant category was raised from 100 to 140 points, but this shouldn't put you off; New Zealand is still crying out for skilled people. Predominant skill shortages at present are for engineers, health professionals, teachers, construction workers, and civil servants. Under the Skilled Migrant Category, people have to submit an expression of interest for residency and gain points for their skills, qualifications and experience. Those selected are invited to apply for residency.
Applicants with between 100 and 140 points can also qualify if they have a job or job offer and enough places are available. The Immigration Service recently released statistics from the first selection round since the changes. Of the 1,000 principal applicants invited to apply in the latest selection, 910 had jobs in New Zealand or job offers, where as last year only 54 per cent of those invited to apply for residency had a job or job offer. National immigration spokesman Lockwood Smith said the increased emphasis on job offers had been a positive move. There had been too much emphasis on "paper qualifications" in the past he said.
There are several ways of finding work in New Zealand such as looking out for advertisements in the newspapers or employment websites. Approaching businesses and employment agencies in person either by letter, phone or email is also a good idea. Andrew Lockhart, Immigration NZs London Regional Manager, advises, "Bigger construction firms often recruit their own employees rather than using a recruitment company. You could approach these companies to discuss any vacancies, and send in your CV. To locate companies by region, visit the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce website".
Employers are keen to get skilled and qualified people to join their staff, they'll be happy to receive your CV even if they don't have a specific job vacancy available immediately. There are some useful job-seeker websites and professional bodies. You can check out Worksite Paemahi, a one-stop information portal for skills and work in New Zealand or go to KiwiCareers for a great list of recruitment agency and job sites.
If you are concerned about whether your qualifications meet the New Zealand standard then contact the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). They will guide you though the process of comparing your qualifications with New Zealand ones. Employers and professional associations don't have to accept your qualification as it may be of a similar standard but not exactly the same in some important ways. For example, an employer may need specific New Zealand content that you didn't study. Therefore, some extra study or training might be necessary in order for you to get the job you want. You may need to have professional registration to be employed in New Zealand. If you're a doctor, lawyer, or a trades person you'll need to register with a Registration Board before you can work there. Lockhart explains that this is essential for health care professionals, "Nurses must apply to the Nursing Council of New Zealand to practice as a registered nurse in New Zealand." He goes on to suggest ways health care professionals can find work, "All regions of New Zealand have a district health board, which advertises health care vacancies in the area. Otherwise, healthcare workers can choose to find work through recruitment agencies". Bear in mind though that you may have to take initial positions that are more junior than the one you had at home. Sometimes it's because you need to become familiar with New Zealand culture and working conditions. If you're a teacher, for example, it's very important to understand the culture because you'll be working closely with people. For many jobs – especially senior ones – you need to have a knowledge of New Zealand society and some local work experience. Primary and secondary school posts are advertised in The Education Gazette, published by the Ministry of Education.
Vacancies within universities and polytechnics are advertised in major papers and on the websites of individual institutions. Lockhart points out, "Schools too are unable to hire a teacher until they are registered to teach in New Zealand, registration can take some time, so get on to it as soon as possible. You can start looking for a teaching position while your registration is being processed."
A new survey by the Department of Labour, has found that the vast majority of employers are pleased with the skilled migrants they are hiring under the Skilled Migrant Category introduced in 2003. The survey – Skilled Migrants in New Zealand: Employers' Perspective – has found that 81 per cent of employers are impressed with the performance of their skilled migrant staff. Incidentally, 69 per cent of the migrants surveyed were still working for the employer they were hired by when their residence or work-to-residence was approved, and 27 per cent of the migrants had since left the organisation. Of those who had left, almost half had stayed with the organisation for longer than 12 months. Forty one per cent of those who had left had gone on to a job with another New Zealand employer. "If you are British, you have a good chance of settling successfully in New Zealand," adds a spokesperson for ENZ, the immigration specialist web site. "About 70 per cent of recently arrived British people are still here five years later. If you 'survive' those first five years, it's highly likely you'll stay much longer. In fact, 90 per cent of British people who live here for five years then stay on for at least another five."
The country is currently experiencing labour shortages throughout the regions; some of the shortages are temporary, whilst others are acute shortages requiring long-term solutions. New Zealand's immigration quota is currently set at 51,500 a year. The proportion of immigrants to New Zealand coming from the United Kingdom has more than doubled over the past three years, according to new statistics. The report Migration Trends shows that 31 per cent of 48,815 people who were granted residency in the last financial year were citizens of the UK.
Mr Martin, of Auckland firm Malcolm Pacific, says the UK is seen as a comparable labour market with similar social and educational standards, "It all comes down to: Is this person going to have a skill set that will find favour with New Zealand employers?" If you fit the bill you could be well on your way to a new life in New Zealand.
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