Category Archives: Blog
AVAILABILITY OF VISA ELIGIBLE SKILLED OFFSHORE LABOUR CONTINUES TO TIGHTEN
Strict English language requirements for 457 candidates continues to create barriers to successful recruitment of skilled tradesperson offshore which is beginning to impact on the availability of suitability qualified candidates from The Philippines. Heron Assist is expecting a significant numbers of engineering tradesperson including metal fabricators to return from deployments in the Middle East to Manila over November, December this year Heron Assist will be skill testing these applicants with a view to deployment to Australia. In a bid to increase the range of number of skilled tradesperson available Heron Assist trade tester’s will be visiting Singapore, South Africa and India in the coming months to supplement the number of Philippines tradesmen of offer
New RSMS Coverage in Australia
The necessary legislative Instrument changes took place in early September and Perth is now officially in regional Australia for RSMS purposes ACT – Entire Territory NSW – Entire State except Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong NT – Entire Territory QLD – Entire State except greater Brisbane and the Gold Coast SA – Entire State VIC – Entire State except Melbourne metropolitan area WA – Entire State RSMS ENGLISH LEVEL REQUIRED Unlike the 457 visa which generally requires a 5.00 IELTS English test pass in all 4 bands the RSMS visa IELTS English test threshold is a lower 4.5 AVERAGE pass, this is significantly more achievable for oversea’a applicants.
Overseas Candidates Available September 2011
ENGINEERING TRADES – Plate Welders (Structural) – Combination Welders (First Class) – Pipe Welders – Metal fabricators (BM) – Pipe Fitters – Pressure Welders – 1st Class Welders – 1st Class Machinist and CNC operators – 1st Class Sheet Metal Workers – Fitters – Mechanical, Electrical and Electronic Engineers – Mechanical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians SMASH REPAIR – Panel Beaters and Vehicle Spray Painters MECHANICAL REPAIR – Diesel truck and trailer mechanics – Motor mechanics (inc. SUV/4WD specialists) – Auto Electricians NURSES – Age Care – Disabilty – General
Requests for scope and variety of 457 candidates continues to grow
Due to employer demand Heron Assist has now increased the scope and variety of skilled occupations that are we are able to offer employers. These candidates have been pre tested at our training site for Skill and English ability. Heron Assist Trade industry experts continue to attend trade tests in Manila on a regular basis and in particular target candidates presenting for testing while on leave from deployments from the Middle East, Japan and Korea.
2010/2011 Budget
The Federal Government last night released its 2011-2012 Budget, including limited but significant changes to the Migration Program. There were increases in places available within the Skilled (+12,000), Family (+4000) and Humanitarian (+1000) Streams, bringing the Program total to about 185,000 annual entrants. An increased focus on regional migration was revealed for the coming year, including: 1) 6000 additional places added to the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS); 2) Fast-tracked, uncapped and “demand-driven” Subclass 457 grants for regional areas, including a new processing centre in Brisbane and 10 day processing time targets; 3) Enterprise Migration Agreements (EMAs) for large, regional area employers; and 4) Regional Migration Agreements “targeted at high growth regional areas where local labour is in short supply”. Also released was DIAC’s proposed Skilled Migrant Selection Model, a system for soliciting expressions of interest from potential migrants and then inviting applications from the best suited. Thanks to MIA Continue Reading »
Supply of qualified offshore Skilled Worker candidates continues to tighten
Higher levels of English competency now required for 457 visa’s applicant is starting to impact on the numbers of Skilled Workers able to meet the standard required to qualify for the 457 visa from selected countries such as the Philippines. Many workers with sound trade skills acquired on the job in deployments to the Middle East, Japan and Korea have functional English but struggle to achieve the now required level of vocation English. Heron Assist facilitates assistance to workers in selected countries requiring revision and tuition to meet the necessary standard. This can been done in block realise or weekend study depending on candidate availability
Results from January 2011 Trade Testing in Manila
Heron Assist Trade industry experts experienced excellent attendance at the trade tests in Manila and in particular noted a large number of candidates presenting for testing while on Christmas leave from deployments from the Middle East, Japan and Korea : ENGINEERING TRADES – Plate Welders (Structural) – Combination Welders (First Class) – Pipe Welders – Metal fabricators (BM) – Pressure Welders -1st Class Welders SMASH REPAIR – Panel Beaters and Vehicle Spray Painters MECHANICAL REPAIR – Diesel truck and trailer mechanics – Motor mechanics (inc. SUV/4WD specialists) Mechanical Testers comments on January 2011 testing in Manila “I visited Manila and trade tested mechanics for all divisions, Car, Truck, Earth Moving and Auto Electrical. I was surprised by the level of competence on this trip and that was mainly due to the home visits of trades people from postings overseas. I tested many car mechanics with specialised skills in GM (Holden) Continue Reading »