[danwoods]

I have been going through various posts etc and am now more confused!!

I work in IT support, and have done for the last 9 years, I gather that unless my qualification is directly related to my industry (I have a BTEC HND in Water & Enviromental Engineering) I can not claim points for absolute skills shortage work experience. Is this right?.

The other side of this is whether or not I can claim points for the HND, I see that BTEC HND Engineering is on the accepted list (does it include all disciplines of engineering?)

I know the best thing I can do (and am doing!) is to get a job offer, but was hoping to get the EOI in as well without the job offer, but just need to find a few more points!

Any guidance on this would be great!!!

We are determined to get out to NZ one way or another!!

(This is my first post, I am sure many more will follow!)

[MattA]

I work in IT support, and have done for the last 9 years, I gather that unless my qualification is directly related to my industry (I have a BTEC HND in Water & Enviromental Engineering) I can not claim points for absolute skills shortage work experience. Is this right?.

Yes.


The other side of this is whether or not I can claim points for the HND, I see that BTEC HND Engineering is on the accepted list (does it include all disciplines of engineering?)

You'll probably need to get a preliminary assessment from NZQA, which will give you a good idea as to the level of the qualification


I know the best thing I can do (and am doing!) is to get a job offer, but was hoping to get the EOI in as well without the job offer, but just need to find a few more points!

perhaps fly over on holiday and get a job offer while you are out there. From that get a work permit then apply for PR.

[danwoods]

Thanks for the quick response! I take it that I will be able to claim the qualification points, even though it is not related to my work experience (given that the assessment is good!!)

[MattA]

Yes, you still get points for your qualification.

[dookieusm]

I'm in a similar position. 12+ years in IT Project/Programme Management with a HNC Business. I'm sure that the HNC will count as 50 points but I'm still unclear how much I can expect from my work experience. Although Project Management appears on both the LTSS and STSS lists my experience is not backed by an IT degree. Is this an issue? Many thanks for your help.

Although I'm new to this site it has already provided some really useful information and personal perspectives in the emigration process.

[MattA]

Look at what quals are needed to support an application as a project manager. Maybe you are a project manager not an IT professional.......

[danwoods]

Yes, you still get points for your qualification.

Time to get the qualification evaluated at NZQA!!