[james the mechanic]

Well I finally heard from Immigration New Zealand on Monday (just over 3 months since selected), in the form of a somewhat incoherent email, rather than being personally written, it had basically been very badly cut and pasted together. It informed me that I had been declined an ITA as I had not provided details to show that I met with the requirements for a recognized trade qualification, therefore have not been awarded these points.
Thus I was on the door step of New Zealand House at 9am this morning and promptly discovered that it didn’t open to 10am:laugh . That was lesson two of the day. Lesson one pertains to the importance of booking a parking space at my local train station at least a month in advance it seems.
Once inside, I took a ticket and was obviously seen quite swiftly, although a couple of wily devils managed to sneak in front of me (600 & 601 you know who you are!:D ) It was explained that my qualifications, City & Guilds 4101 NVQ & VRQ Levels 1&2 Light Vehicle Maintenance & Repair were not recognized trade qualifications and my apprenticeship was not with a recognized industry body.
I tried to explain that my City & Guilds included workplace based assessment and learning and that it is actually impossible to complete the NVQ element of the qualification without an apprenticeship approved by City & Guilds. However allegedly, City & Guild is NOT a recognized industry body (where apprenticeships are concerned), despite it being the body issuing the qualification that can’t be completed without the apprenticeship.
Further more Light Vehicle Maintenance & Repair is NOT City & Guilds part 1&2 Motor Vehicle Craft Studies (the course on their list). That’s right, it’s what superceded that course, I attempted to inform them, but to no avail. (I was holding documentation to that affect, but they were not interested in seeing it)
Anyway I spoke to the case officer who had made the decision who seemed a nice enough guy but, was not really able to explain how he had formulated his decision with any clarity. He said that I would have to get NZQA to do a pre-assessment of my qualifications and apprenticeship to proceed further.
So I have applied for this pre-assessment $75, (Lesson number three, NZ have made quite a ‘business’ out of filling their skills shortages it seems) however, nowhere in the NZQA application did it ask about my apprenticeship with a recognized industry body, however it did ask about qualifications and work experience.
The question is, are they going to make a reasonable and informed decision based on my qualifications and 10 plus years of experience in the motor trade? Or will they simply reiterate my case officer’s incoherent warblings?
I understand that it is unreasonable to expect the visa officers to have an in depth understanding of my industry and that I could just as easily be a doctor trying to explain the difference between surgical qualifications, however my qualifications are the benchmark of the UK motor industry and according to City & Guilds, are an internationally recognized qualification. My current workplace has two ‘apprentices’ following the very same course as we speak and the vast majority of qualified mechanics have also followed this path.
Another member said in a thread I read recently, which reference to recognition of qualifications ‘I don’t think anything is cut and dried, some people seem to sail through and others seem to have a hell of a game’. No sailing for me then? But is this really what is required? I feel that all that is actually required is a modicum of understanding, common sense and flexibility without which everyone who believes their qualifications and experience don’t require assessment may as well send off their $75 now, before they raise the price of that as well.
My final lesson of the day, is one based on reflection of my day and that is, Common sense is only common if you possess it.
Oh well game on I guess!
James

[zardell]

My goodness - what a ridiculous situation.

My other half has City and Guilds parts one, two and three and we had no trouble at all, but how unreasonable of NZIS not to recognise qualifications that supersedes this.

I have to agree that City and Guilds is only the issuing body for obtained qualifications and is not a qualification in itself, but surely NZIS must recognise that things have moved on, especially when you had the documentation to that effect.

Aah well, as you say James - game on !!

Good luck.........

Julie

xx

[zardell]

On re-reading my above post, I don't think I made my point as clear as I could have. I tried to edit my post, but couldn't..........

What I wanted to ask you James is this. My OH has C&G Motor Vehicle Craft Studies parts one,two and three. Admittedly he gained these qualifications 30 years ago.

I am presuming from your post, that you are saying these qualifications no longer exist and that they have been replaced by Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair.

Are my assumptions correct ?

If they no longer exist and are now therefore an unobtainable qualification, why has NZIS not updated their 'Recognised Qualifications List' ?

Totally confused...........

Julie

xx

[nippa&pippa]

My OH is now panel beater in chch, he never had any single qualifications apart from in-job trainings and we passed EOI with this 25 years of experiences of working in motor trade and a job offer in chch...even his last time that he was panel beater was when he was 20years old...over 20 years ago :laugh

Just thought, would job offer will be any help to you pass EOI?

[holland]

James,

How ridiculous....I know its going to be more time, money and stress, but Im sure you'll get there in the end...like you say 'game on'. How disappointing, I know you have been checking your case on a daily/hourly basis!! Well, good luck, and I would try and gather asmuch evidence as possible to send off, eg, qualifications your quals are equivalent to...a document ( off internet) to say when these changes were made, references from your employer about duties you have carried out...covering all areas of your quals, absolutely everything to make their job easier at the other end!;) Good Luck and keep us posted.

Jade x

[james the mechanic]

Thanks for your support everyone,:nice1
Julie, yes that is correct C&G Motor Vehicle Craft Studies parts one & two that your OH took has since been superseded by my qualification. Basically their list of qualifications is totally out of date, and they did suggest to me that that may be the case. Of course they should continue to recognise the previous qualification but they must surely move with the times and keep their list current, but that just goes back to common sense.
Their major problem appears to be with their recognition of my apprenticeship, I was under the impression that if your employer sent you to college on day release, while you were learning in their establishment the rest of the week, that was an apprenticeship, am I wrong? What form did your OH’s take and did he have a job offer?

This is all even more frustrating because I asked an immigration officer specific questions, at great length about this at the London Expo a couple of years ago. I she told me then ‘If you have the skills and the experience, you’re all set’. Set for what? Should clearly have been my next question.

Absolutely, Sophia a job offer would make all of the difference. However I currently manage a small non-franchised garage with half a dozen fantastic employees, it is a very hands-on role and is very flexible (I can shoot off to London, for the morning at a seconds notice!) and varied. I have found that the only jobs that are available to me without being in NZ in person and able to start immediately are somewhat menial and I have serious reservations as to whether I could tolerate the stipulated minimum of three months of being factory fodder. I also require my work to be in the Napier, Havelock, or Hastings area of Hawke’s Bay to complicate maters further.
Don’t get me wrong, I am fully expecting to return to ‘the tools’ on a full time basis at first, but I would just like to secure a job in an environment that is congenial to my wellbeing rather than that of Immigration New Zealand. It is for this reason that I have not secured an offer of employment to date, coupled with the (possibly misguided) belief that with my qualifications and experience, I would not require one and thus be free to peruse the Hawke’s Bay Automotive job market at my leisure and eventualy secure the right opportunity for both myself and the greater good of NZ!

Thanks Jade, I’m currently gathering arm full’s of references from everyone I know in the motor trade, from past colleagues and employers to trade suppliers that I have dealt with for years. You're so right, more time, more money and more stress.

Game On:laugh
James

[StevieD]

Set James, it seems, to line NZQA/NZIS*** pockets. (*** delete as applicable)
If you serious about it, carry on regardless. It is very frustrating when you come across things like this, but red tape and bureaucracy have never been known to make sense...

Good luck

[zardell]

Their major problem appears to be with their recognition of my apprenticeship, I was under the impression that if your employer sent you to college on day release, while you were learning in their establishment the rest of the week, that was an apprenticeship, am I wrong? What form did your OH’s take and did he have a job offer?




No James, you are not wrong, although having said that, my OH joined the Armed Forces and finished his last year or two's apprenticeship with the Army.

No, he didn't have a job offer and on reflection if he had have had a job offer we may well have thought twice about what we were giving up - the wages are dire James.

I'm sorry, but in my personal opinion, too much emphasis is put on having NZ work experience - I mean for Gods sake, how many ways are there to spanner a bolt ???

Game on........

Julie

xx

[bevsere]

How many ways are there to plumb , yet overseas plumbers have to also sit written exams even after being approved for PR as skilled trade migrants & taking up the skilled jobs.

You did an apprenticeship James. That much is clear.

It makes you spit doesn't it. (Horrible habit that is) It's about time both NZIS and NZQA took a good look at current overseas qualifications and training to properly understand them. Times have moved on but it seems their assessment criteria has not.

If one looks at the NZIS manual it still states C&G 1&2 advanced etc but there is no mention of NVQ or the modern day C&G components and levels .

It does make one cynical that there is a money spinning machine in play.

You will need to pay the $75 bucks to have your highest qualification assessed. You want a level 3 at the very least.

If they assess under the level 3 or 4 or state they can't assess your qual from the pre-assess information you give them, They will suggest a full assessment. $400+ dollars. where you will provide absolutely everything you have to show your trade skill level and experience, Nightmare !

[stu70]

No James, you are not wrong, although having said that, my OH joined the Armed Forces and finished his last year or two's apprenticeship with the Army.

No, he didn't have a job offer and on reflection if he had have had a job offer we may well have thought twice about what we were giving up - the wages are dire James.

I'm sorry, but in my personal opinion, too much emphasis is put on having NZ work experience - I mean for Gods sake, how many ways are there to spanner a bolt ???

Game on........

Julie

xx
Your note is so "on the money". We have the same nonsense for newcomers in Canada. What the heck is NZ experience or Canadian experience? To me it is a way to monopolize a profession. It is all about control and it just becomes a money grab when you are asked to pass local certifications and exams. If a Govt is serious about bringing in immigrants who are skilled, they must make sure the businesses are open to absorbing these folks upon arrival. I have lots of issues with America and their politicians but that is the only country I know of where your knowledge and skills will get you a job. There are barriers there too but not as high as I see here or as I think they are there in NZ. Good luck to you all

[jess]

James I don't know a thing about cars, but I do admire your sense of humor. Considering what they are asking of you, it's amazing that you have written about it with such wit.

(600 & 601 you know who you are!:D ):laugh


Best of luck to you.