[Leccy-Lee]

Hello all,

Firstly my 1st post, what a great site, been here 3-4hrs reading loads posts and advice.
So now i hope i can join you and ask for some advice please?

I am a single guy wanting to PR in New Zealand from (hopefully) 2007 under skilled workers as an Electrican. I have the relevant qualifications etc (although i am about to look into the NZ rules regards licensing sparkies etc, any help welcome) But my worry is "without" experience points i only make 85 points, but with 10 years experince i would i think make 130 points (much better!)

My problem is this; I have been unlucky as an Electrician here in Blighty in being three times now working for companies that went bust and no longer exist, on 2 occasions sadly parting on bad terms (ie no ref etc) and generally sadly over my 13yrs genuine experience as an electrician i have had about 10 employers etc, And also ive moved home so many times i dont honestly have records of a lot of my employment.

So what to do? How strict on proof are they? and any ways i could still prove it even though people/companies not about anymore and wouldnt know where to start finding them. I really need the 10yr points to stand any chance of selection dont i? But if my word or proof isnt enough then does this mean i never make it to NZ due to lack of proof alone, which seems a bit sad really.

Oh and one other thing related.. As i want to get EOI in asap before they raise points any higher, can i fill out the 10yrs exp to get points for selection and then try and track doen the referneces etc? Or will i upset them doing this if i cant succeed at later stage to come up with the proof? Really want to get things moving, tbh i been thinking about applying for 2yrs now, why i not done it sooner i dont know.

Appriecate your advice, Finally any Electrictrians here got any advice on applying as an electrician and/or getting jobs be great.

Again, great site, hope i can get comfy here.

[Moorf]

Hi and Welcome to the Forum :nice1

Firstly, yes you can put in your EOI now with the 10 yrs experience and get the points but you will have to verify these points at the next stage, ITA (Invitation to Apply) where you will have to fill in a big form and supply them with the requested info/proof etc. So if you want to get in now before the changes etc then do it.

With regards to obtaining proof, not everyone (us included) had EVERY wage slip and/or reference.. We went back as far as we could and put in notes where we had no proof. We offered to get National Insurance records where we had no proof at all but we were never asked to go this route. I think that the Case Officers appreciate that not everyone keeps every record of employment etc going back 10yrs plus, and some records get lost in moves etc. I think it will depend on just how much you try and give them what they want.... but a good way to show that you have been in employment is to get a National Insurance statement.. I think others have done that on this forum and can perhaps give you the contact info etc.

Hope that helps!

Moorf

[Bubbles]

Welcome Lee and good luck with your plans,

I think you might want to drop ' Charlosparky ' a pm. I think I'm right in saying he's just sat his registration test a couple of weeks ago and knows exactly what NZIS want with regard to sparkying.
Also, here is a link to a thread posted by one of Kim39's mates in NZ who is an employer of people like you :nice1 Follow the link mate.

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=4371

All the best

John

[Leccy-Lee]

Thanks for warm welcome, Will follow this up in morning, need some sleep LOL
Think i get my EOI sent tomorrow then (its a nervous feeling)

[Leccy-Lee]

Right i am sorting out a CV as we speak as need an updated one with current addy etc, Going to spend sometime only later searching some of these websites for jobs and people to mail CVs too, Really think with my references problem and lowish points i am going to be better off trying to find a job offer if i can.

PS Is there a cost for the EOI stage? I hadnt seen warning of one yet even though i 80% through completeing the online EOI, was going to submit it later but if need to make a payment then that sadly have to wait to end of month! :(
YES, i am someone trying to Emigrate on an extreme budget !

[tigerlily]

Lee, cost depends on where you are applying from. Check out the fees link on the left side of http://www.immigration.govt.nz/ I think an EOI was about $100

Have you considered going to NZ "on holiday"? If you just happen to be offered a job while there you can then get a work permit quickly and apply for PR with all those extra points. If you want to go to NZ without PR, you will need an onward ticket, even if it's just a cheapie to Oz. The fees are also less if you are living in NZ at the time of application.

[zardell]

Lee.

Welcome to the forum.

There is a charge for your ITA. In UK its about £130 ish.

I know things are a bit confusing at first, but you'll soon get into it - honest !!

Just remember that your ITA is basically a paper copy of your EOI. On the assumption that your EOI is selected from the pool, you will be given 4 months to fill it in and confirm (by the use of supporting documents) everything that you have claimed for in your EOI. In other words - you've claimed the points - now prove it. You will also be asked to supply other supporting documents, such as City & Guilds certificates, proof of partnership (if applicable) proof of work experience etc, medicals, police reports etc and anything else specific to your particular case.

Consequently, it may be an idea to start your paper chase before you submit your EOI, especially if you are hoping to get a job offer to increase your points. The sooner you get the documents, the sooner you can go to NZ.

All I am saying is think about it and try and make an educated choice.

There are a few 'sparkies' on the forum and I'm sure that they will be able to tell you how to go about getting your qualifications assessed and the charges that incurs.

Hope all that makes sense and if I've got anything wrong, I'm sure someone on here will correct me ! Lol.

Julie

x

[Leccy-Lee]

Thanks for tips,

Regards "holiday" idea, i did consider the working holiday visa until i see that its 18-30 (me being 32 now) and i was also wary that it also looked like it was more likely to cost more in long run as returns and possible application process twice over.

But i am really wondering now, am i going about this the right way?
As an Electrician i think i am right in believing that i would be unlikely to get a full PR without going to NZ and getting licensed first anyhow, So should i pursue my EOI and PR application at all, or would i be better off just applying for a WTR visa (although i have no job offers!) I really in a quandry now, but best to get good advice before i make a decision and waste both money and time.

Really concerned on the costs front too, i really on low budget with a hope of getting to NZ with couple thousand only in my pocket if its possible (plus of course expenses of visa/meds etc and flights on top) which is my best route, Should have just asked you that in first place.

Thanks for help all

[Charlosparky]

Hi Lee

This is my knowledge so far on how it is for a UK sparky going to NZ- a merry-go-round i'm afraid but there's always a way! ;)

The NZIS will only give you points for your trade if you hold a NZ provisional practising licence (cost $34) from the EWRB (logical but not helpful eh?) You can apply for it from the UK but sections 6&7 on the form need to be signed by the supervisor and manager at your new NZ employer, so that means you need the job offer, to get the signatures, to get the licence, to get the points, to have a sucsessful EOI. Howerver, i have found that most employers/agencies will not take job applications seriously without us holding a licence and PR and definite NZ arrival date (also logical but unhelpful) it really is a vicious circle :roll

I am lucky in that a kiwi sparks who worked with me 4 yrs ago has now returned to NZ and offered me a job, but if it wasn't for him i dont think i would have had a sucsessful EOI as it would have had only 90 points instead of 140.

The other possible route to nZ is to go on some other visa (working or holiday or something i dont know having not had to look into it) and get the job once there. Then you can do the whole EOI ITA PR thing in NZ which should just be a rubber-stamp job because you have NZ work experience.

Re fees. The EOI was £130ish. then they sent me the ITA which is basicly the EOI typed out, i have to return it with proof of all the things i claimed at EOI, police certs (£10) medicals(£230 per person) birth certs, marrige cert, passports, qualification certs, work references OR payslips or alternative proof, ITA fee (£585) If i get PR then they want a Migrant Levy of £420. We reckon the fees and medicals etc add up to about £2650 :eek: for our family 2adults 4kids. We also reckon £2600-£3000 on flights £3500 for a container then some other costs for initial rental and washing m/c etc. selling our cars here and buying in NZ with whatever we get.

If you need any info re applying for licence etc let me know.
Also if you here of any work in Northland or Whangarei shout me as thats where i need a job as my current offer is in welly and although it has been a godsend so far for the application, i dont really want to be there.

Chris :cheers

[Leccy-Lee]

Thanks for advice Chris, i may need to PM you soon on NZ and sparkie front. ;)

Regards how i go about this, everyone seems to be pointing towards the "sort it all out in NZ" option as easier route for myself. Thanks to those who PMed me, i be in touch. Going to do a bit more research over next few days and i come back to you.