[Redbone]

I'm assuming save up money first, right? :laugh

This is one of those chicken or the egg questions.

Do we apply first or save up our funds, then apply? I've no idea how long approval would take (aren't I optimistic :)--hmm,where's the crossing fingers smilie???)--that's why I'm asking.

My husband and I don't have skills on the LTSSL only the ISSL. So, what would be our first step? Thanks a lot for you input (I am sure I will be doing lots of "thank you's!" ;))

[Moorf]

The application process itself isn't cheap so it's best to have some funds available for that. Otherwise, the more you can cobble together to come here with, the better, imho.

[JandM]

What line(s) of work do you have skills in? That might help people to advise you in more detail.

We don't have a crossed-fingers smiley, so this does the duty. +++++++++++++++++++:)

[Redbone]

What line(s) of work do you have skills in? That might help people to advise you in more detail.

We don't have a crossed-fingers smiley, so this does the duty. +++++++++++++++++++:)

Thank you for the crossed fingers. We'll need lots of those!

I have to say that if I thought I was infecting with the moving to NZ bug before, I really have a serious case now from being here in this forum.
:raebanana

Well, the OH biggest area of experience is logistics/tractor trailer driving. He also has a lot of experience in warehousing and pest control...yes, I know not much to go on *sigh*. Heavy truck driving is on the ISSL but even that would be sticky--he'd have to learn to 'flip' his driving. I don't know if an employer would be willing to take a 'right-side' of the road driver (just speaking for myself, I'd be intimidated like crazy--if we get there, you'll never see me behind the wheel).
Beyond that, he is an excellent worker--he's one of these people that will stick to getting his work done no matter what. He always makes me think of the US Post Office motto "neither rain, sleet, or snow...":D

As for myself, I'm on disability and haven't held a job for many a year. Outside the home, that is. I'm terribly busy as a mother of four but I can't think of how that would translate to work skills desirable for immigration (ha! I wish--I rock as a Mama!). Here are my skills...such as they are:
*I do have some writing skills. Nothing formal or paid experience, just other writers telling me I ought to write.
*I have a huge amount of knowledge in medical terminology and general medicine. I went to school for medical laboratory science and I always kept updated because I love learning. A friend keeps suggesting that I take up freelance medical writing.
*I have a lot of knowledge with teaching reading for dyslexics or kids with auditory processing disorders. Two of my children have this and I literally did years of research, talked with innumerable reading specialists, educational psychologists, and audiologists over the years to come up. I say this because a lot of stuff out there about learning to read could go under the slot of quackery.
*Cold-process soap making, hand-made toiletries such as creams, bath teas, massage butters, herbal crafting (I even thought about making handcrafted toiletries to sell to bed and breakfast inns, spas, etc., in NZ).
*Photography. I just took this up but I'm doing very well at it...at least on a amateur level! :D

Unfortunately, I don't know how any of this would be of aid but these are my 'skills'.

Has anyone ever deliberately went to school for a skill on the LTSSL? OH is thinking of carpentry since they have a junior college here that offers carpentry management (their term, not mine). I think it takes about a year to complete and that would also give us enough time to squirrel some money away.

[Mrs Pony]

I would start with the quick test first (if you haven't done that already) before you do the EOI. If you have enough points then I would save up for the EOI. Then you buckle up and enjoy the ride! (and keep saving cause it isn't cheap)

[JandM]

Has anyone ever deliberately went to school for a skill on the LTSSL?I'm sure they must have done. There was a young lad from the UK earlier this year, about to leave school, asking advice on what subject he'd do best to study at university to get into NZ, so he for one was aiming to start at the bottom!

[canajanz]

Well, the OH biggest area of experience is logistics/tractor trailer driving. He also has a lot of experience in warehousing .

Lots of jobs in that area available herr and farther south
Have a look at
http://jobs.odt.co.nz/

[Redbone]

Lots of jobs in that area available herr and farther south
Have a look at
http://jobs.odt.co.nz/

Thank you for the link!

How does one go about applying if a job is on the ISSL? Secure a job with an employer first, apply for a work visa, and then EOI after working in NZ for a while?