[Andy & Julie]

Hiya,

well what a great forum you guys/gals have here a great big well done to you all,

Well im Andy and my wife is Julie we have 3 children 17,15 and 12.

We have often dreamt about the idea of leaving the uk for numerous reasons, i.e lifestyle, goverment and much more.

We are considering an application for NZ, we have an uncle who has just been through the process and at the age of 51 he says its the best thing he has done.

A little about myself im 29, and considering taking my class 2 and class1 (hgv) driving test,s ( this is where we need the advice). Even though i dont belive this to be classed as a skilled worker i have ben reassured from many a people that there is a demand for hgv drivers in NZ.

My wife Julie is 35 and is a youth offending team worker, with a degree in youth justice and many internal reconisgened quals within her job spec.

My wife has spoken to agents ( advice on agents plz) who have assured her that with a job offer there should not be a problem with an apllication, my wife has emailed a handful of offices at NZ and they have been very intrested in what qualities my wife has to offer fo youth offending.

Well thats a little about ourselfs, we would be really gratefull if some one could explain the process from from start to finish with regards to application (agent or not).

What i would need to do in order to be able to drive hgv in NZ and what sort of income would i make.

And most of all tell me it will be alright and its not as scary as it seems lol

looking forward to reading your replies and i would like to give my thnx in advance for advice given

Cheers Andy and Julie :cheers

[Mickstim]

Hi Andy & Julie and welcome to the forum. Sorry I can't help with your questions but I am quite sure there are plenty of people on here who will. Hope it all goes well for you!

[peebles16]

Hey Andy & Julie
Hi from us too. Personally think agents are a waste of money - we're about two thirds of the way through the process and every question I've had was answered by this forum. Fab place :D
Karen

[lockstock]

Hi and welcome. Can't answer all your questions but I know they're really desperate for YOT and prob officers

[Lara Croft]

Hi! Sorry I can't help with your questions, we are part way through the process at the moment. Just wanted to welcome you to the forum :-)

Jane

[blearyjane]

Hi there -
why don't you check out the NZIS website for starters...that will give you an idea of where to go/how to progress and there is a quick points checker which may help you. You have done well to find this forum...it will be a mine of information in the future!

[Andy&Carol]

Hi and welcome, if you haven't already done so check out the Department of Corrections website - just Google Department of Corrections nz, I don't know if it's what you're looking for but I've seen jobs working in youth custody on there - check regularly because they seem to be posted up at any time - no set day. My OH is in works for HMPS and the DoC website gets at least one visit a day from us!

best wishes, Carol

[Silverwing86]

Hi Andy and Julie, welcome to the forum !

Can't really help with the jobs either, sorry, but wanted to say that agents are indeed not necessary in most cases. It seems like a complicated process, but unless you have some very specific potential problems with your application (and it sounds like you don't), it's very doable with a bit of patience :D, a lot of reading, and the help of all the wonderful people on this forum.

If, for any reason, you do decide you need an agent, might I suggest working with a NZ based one ? They usually have far better rates and the good ones work on a 'No cure - No pay' basis.

As Blearyjane suggested, have a look at the INZ site. Here is a link (http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/) to the general page which tells you about the different visa categories and here is a link (http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/skilledmigrant/) to Skilled Migrant Category page, which I think would probably be the appropriate route for you. These are the best places to start. You will find many links on these pages to many other pages that might be of interest (like the Long and Short Term Skills Shortage Lists and such).

Also, spend some time doing a thorough search on this forum as most questions have been asked and answered before, there is truly a wealth of information to be found on here !

Yes, it is scary, but if you do the research (vitally essential !!), are flexible, love a challenge and know/understand yourselves well, it can be better than allright, it can be the best thing that's ever happened to you (it was/is for us) ! Life is full of risks and, as many on here have said, better to have tried than to always have to wonder 'what if', right ?

Good luck and let us know how you get on ?

Silver

[Andy & Julie]

Hello all,

Many thanks for your replys, Julie has a telephone interveiw coming up shortly for a postion in YOT and im studying to take my hgv theroy test, Christmas round the corner so after the New Year it will be full steam ahead on our application.

Many Thanks again to those that replied u guys make it reassuring that its not as scary as it seems

Cheers Andy