[blearyjane]

Hi everyone - hope you can help!

In an ever increasing drive to accumulate more points for our EOI, I wonder whether it may be worth getting my diploma in Journalism assessed by NVQA - for which I studied for a year after A levels - or is it just University degree that count?

[M&J]

It could be if you need the points, do you know what level it was in the Uk??

[blearyjane]

No really - it's a one year course by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (recognised UK body) and covers all you need for entry onto a newspaper/mag.

I am not going to be the principal applicant, but did work as a journalist as a result of this course for a few years.

[ourquest]

Hi Blearyjane,
How many points do you still need, ie is it a dealbreaker if you can't claim points for the spouse qualification? I've just had a look at NZIS site and it isn't totally clear...seems it must be a "recognised qualification" and to be this it must score at least 3...which includes some certificates. Even so, it must also be in an "acceptable trade" which doesn't seem to have a link...so it's anyones (well mine at least) guess as to where journalism slots in.
Good luck, and sorry for not being more helpful, but at least we know that it isn't only uni degrees that are taken seriously.

[blearyjane]

Thanks for the advice...having looked again I think our best chance is for OH to get a job and get WTR visa - then it makes no difference. I really don't care how we get there as long as we do! God - wish I was a nurse!

[ourquest]

Hi again...
So many variables that it is hard to know exactly but

If your OH gets job offer then would you have enough for your EOI to be selected? Job offers from qualifying employers generally give applicants enough points, and then WTR (often given when NZIS feel the applicant has less certain ability to integrate into NZ) seems to be unnecessary. You would instead apply for a work permit for OH (and you would get an open work permit so you could use those journalism skills to land a job as a nurse:laugh ) and during the currency of the work permit your application for residence can be carried out, (hopefully) successfully.
Perhaps you were using the term WTR to mean a work permit, but it is a specific and different category of permit which changes (delays) the timing for residence.
Hope this adds a bit of extra usefulness?