[AdrianT]

Hi

I submitted my EOI which was selected 29 July, but I have just had an email saying that NZ immigration are unable to ivite me to apply at this time

Reasons are:-
1. my Degree was awarded from a UK Polytechnic in 1984 (this changed to De Montford University which has its qualifications recognised but only from 1992 inwards)

2. As my degree is not recognised (plus my degree is in Maths and Stats and I am applying as an IT person) the bonus points I was trying to claim for work experience in an Area of Absolute Skill Shortage (AASS) have been declined


Now I can apply to NZQA to get an assessment of my degree (and I am fairly confident of getting that eventually as the degree awarded in those days was by the same registering body as those awarded post 1992)

My question is:-
Has anybody managed to use the ANZSCO coding for their job to get an 'equivalent' qualification based upon their work experience

in my case the ANZSCO indicator for my job role is as follows (bold bit is my emphasis)
UNIT GROUP 2621 DATABASE AND SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATORS, AND ICT SECURITY SPECIALISTS


DATABASE AND SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATORS, AND ICT SECURITY SPECIALISTS plan, develop, maintain, manage and administer organisations' database management systems, operating systems and security policies and procedures to ensure optimal database and system integrity, security, backup, reliability and performance.
Indicative Skill Level:
In Australia and New Zealand:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. At least five years of relevant experience and/or relevant vendor certification may substitute for the formal qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).


As it looks like I have to play things back to NZIS by the book (so SM13.20 says X whereas ANZSCO says Y), has anybody had any success in following this line of argument?

I was going to write back to my skilled migrant administrator to follow up on this second point, but I was wanting to get the panels thoughts on the best approach before I do this (I have 2 weeks to get this answer back)


Current points without qualifications = 60
degree = +50 points (so NZQA here I come)
work experience = +15 points

[AdrianT]

I found the following link from a similar question from last year which remained unresolved...

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21469&highlight=ANZSCO

So I will still try and get some confirmation as to wether the real-life experience overcomes the paper qualifications problem (of either no paper qualifications or the paper qualification not matching your current business description)

[JandM]

Good luck with all this. ++++++++++++++++++

[AdrianT]

JandM

Thanks for the good wishes. Looks like they will be needed :(


I sent details off to my case officer to see wether I could get confirmation regarding the work experience / no qualifications conundrum, and here is what was said...

"XXXXXX is a Skill Level One Occupation therefore you can substitute the required qualification with five years of relevant work experience if you have a job offer or skilled employment in New Zealand[my emphasis]. Please see SM7.10 below:

SM7.10 Skilled Employment

a. Skilled employment is employment that requires specialist, technical or management expertise:

i. obtained through the completion of recognised relevant qualifications; or

ii. obtained through recognised relevant work experience (see SM7.10.15 below); or

iii. obtained through the completion of recognised relevant qualifications and work experience.

b. Assessment of whether an occupation is skilled for the purposes of Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) policy is primarily based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) which associates skill levels with each occupation.

Note: The ANZSCO is available at www.immigration.govt.nz/ANZSCO

SM7.10.1 Assessment of whether employment is skilled

An offer of employment or current employment in New Zealand will be assessed as skilled if it meets the requirements of (a), (b) or (c) below.

a. The occupation is included in part A of the List of Skilled Occupations held at Appendix 11 and the principal applicant can demonstrate that their offer of employment or current employment substantially matches the description for that occupation (including core tasks) as set out in the ANZSCO and:

i. the applicant holds a relevant recognised qualification which is at, or above, the qualification level on the Register (see SM14.5) that corresponds to the indicative skill level described for that occupation in the ANZSCO; or

ii. the applicant has the relevant recognised work experience that the ANZSCO indicates may substitute the required qualification; or

iii. the employment is in an occupation included on the Long Term Skill Shortage List and the applicant meets the relevant requirements specified in column three of the Long Term Skill Shortage List for that occupation.

iv. notwithstanding (a) (ii), applicants with Skill Level One Occupations can substitute the required qualification with five years of relevant work experience.

b. The occupation is included in part B of the List of Skilled Occupations held at Appendix 11 and the principal applicant can demonstrate that their offer of employment or current employment substantially matches the description for that occupation (including core tasks) as set out in the ANZSCO and:

i. the applicant holds a relevant recognised qualification which is at, or above, level four on the Register (see SM14.5) (a qualification at level four on the Register must be a National Certificate); or

ii. has the relevant recognised work experience that the ANZSCO indicates may substitute the required qualification; or

iii. the employment is in an occupation included on the Long Term Skill Shortage List and the applicant meets the relevant requirements specified in column three of the Long Term Skill Shortage List for that occupation.

c. The occupation is included in part C of the List of Skilled Occupations held at Appendix 11 and the principal applicant can demonstrate that their offer of employment or current employment substantially matches the description for that occupation (including core tasks) as set out in the ANZSCO and has either:

i. at least three years of relevant recognised work experience and a relevant recognised qualification which is at, or above, level four on the Register (see SM14.5) (a qualification at level four on the Register must be a National Certificate); or

ii. at least three years of relevant recognised work experience and that current employment or the position in which the employment is offered, has an annual base salary of at least NZ$45,000.Note: For the avoidance of doubt, the annual base salary excludes employment related allowances (for example overtime, tool or uniform allowances, medical insurance, accommodation) and must be calculated on the basis of 40 hours' work per week.

d. Where a principal applicant's offer of employment or current employment in New Zealand does not meet the requirements of (a), (b), or (c) above they may nevertheless qualify for points for skilled employment if:

i. their employment in the occupation will enhance the quality of New Zealand's accomplishments and participation in that occupational area because the principal applicant has an international reputation and record of excellence in that field; and

ii. the required expertise for the occupation has been gained through relevant recognised qualifications or work experience.




Details of work experience provided in an Expression of Interest (EOI) will be taken into consideration when a Visa officer makes an initial assessment of an EOI with a job offer or skilled employment in New Zealand.

You do not have an offer of employment or employment in New Zealand therefore SM7.10 does not apply to you. You have claimed 15 bonus points for your work experience being in an area of absolute skill shortage. These are bonus points which means this is a bonus for people who have the required qualification that is related to the industry they are employed in.

I hope I have clarified the matter. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me."



So it looks fairly definite to me. I need to get my qualifications assessed by NZQA and then I should have 110 points - sufficient to get into the pool and maybe enough to get me to NZ.

[Ana&Steve]

Sorry about the setbacks, but thanks for posting your findings, especially this part:XXXXXX is a Skill Level One Occupation therefore you can substitute the required qualification with five years of relevant work experience if you have a job offer or skilled employment in New Zealandthat one was very puzzling to me. Good luck!

[JandM]

So it looks fairly definite to me. I need to get my qualifications assessed by NZQA and then I should have 110 points - sufficient to get into the pool and maybe enough to get me to NZ. Keep at 'em - once again, good luck! :nice1 ++++++++++++++++

[rupicola]

Hi AdrianT, very frustrating indeed, but where there's a will, there's a way. Good luck :nice1

[paulsco]

Thanks for the info, I am also in the same sort of position as i do not have the formal qualifications but have 17+years experience in my job and my job also is classed as "Skill Level 1" on the ANZCO site.
This just might be the inspiration i need to get thing going again!
Cheers
Paul:)

[AdrianT]

Well....

After getting my degree fast-tracked through the NZQA recognition process (couried to them 27.8.2009 and received back via courier 21/9/2009) which they have kindly recognized as being a level 7 qualification, we then went back to our CO who originally looked at out EOI asking what was the next step to getting our EOI re-submitted.

As they had not formally declined out EOI yet they asked for the proof from NZQA that they had approved my degree. This was sent on 22/9/2009, and as the draw on 23/09/2009 dropped things down to 110 points, they said that they would send an ITA in the post :nice1

So I am now back on the rollercoaster :exit

[kejktfc]

Good news and well done for not letting it go.


kejktfc

[Mamee & Co]

Great News and enjoy the ride!

[JandM]

Good news - all the best! :nice1

[Cpt. Canuck]

Congrats on the ITA! I went through the NZQA route for myself and my spouse, as I was claiming points, for a spouse with qualificaitons. The best part about making both the applications is that although ew both graduated from the same program at the same college in the same year we had to pay for two separate NZQA PAR assessments. :nice1 It was a long frustrating road but we got there. Well at least as far as ITA and making application, we're still waiting for the blue stickers. It's a long roller coaster, can't wait to get off.

[Toonster]

Fab news! Well done you for persisting with it - now just hang on to that rollercoaster! :clap

[dusk]

great news, good luck with the next stage, you seem determined enough to make it work ;)

[Billy]

Yes well done, never give up, it took us 4 years of waiting.

Perhaps someone could enlighten me on a not dissimilar situation. We have a friend who is a legal secretary with 10+ years experience. She has no formal qualification but according to ANZCO (never heard of them until I read this thread) she is at skill level 3 and experience equivalent to a level 4 qualification - I'm not entirely sure what that all means.

Is she able to claim points for her experience in lieu of a formal qualification?

Thanks in anticipation.

[AdrianT]

Well I met a very nice lady who went through my ITA, came to the qualifications section and asked "why did you get this degree checked by NZQA - you didn't need to??"

Good job I didn't need a medical as that just raised my blood pressure to dangerous heights.....

Bottom line is that even though my degree was issued by an old polytechnic (ie not a university in the UK), because the degree was awarded by the Council for National Academic Awards - which **IS** mentioned in the list of awarding institutions, then I didn't need to get this assessed by NZQA.:wah

Motto of the story is - check and double check your degree certificates people (hopefully this will allow some more forumites to claim for things a bit easier from the UK)

Good news is that the ITA is now in :nice1

[JandM]

:nice1

[kejktfc]

That is great news, just hope the delay has not hampered any more issues for you. Well done for perseverance.

kejktfc

[rizjunior]

NZQA assesment also helps to claim bonus points like "qualification in an area of skills shortage list", without level 7 assesment, one can not get bonus points for that.

[Duncan74]

If NZIS formally told you that an NZQA was required and it wasn't, then I think you would be perfectly within your rights to ask if they would waive part of the fees for the ITA submisison. Worst they can say is no, in which case nothing lost.

But well done.

[Kanga]

Top marks for persistence (sorry about the stress!) ... will keep everything crossed for you :)