[garyd]

Hi all,

Just starting looking into all this and could do with some answers. I need to get my qualification assessed by NZQA as I have an NVQ Level 3 in System Design and Programming. I also have an NVQ Level 2 in IT but I don't think this is worth assessing? My question is do they also take into account work experience and training courses? I have been on all the courses for MCSE but never got round to the exams (I may live to regret that). I have 15yrs IT experience. Do they also take references from your employer to prove what you do etc? I don't fancy telling my employer just yet as I haven't even been in the job for a month.

Any pointers and stories of past experience would be great.

Thanks

[pinkpiggy]

Hi

I can't answer your question but wanted to say welcome to the forum.

My husband and I are in a similar position - he has worked in IT for some 13 years but doesn't have any IT qualifications. He does however have a HNC in Building, which once we have received copies of his certificate we will be getting assessed. If recognized, then I think we will have 130 points - if it's not then we only have 80!

[jaycee]

Hi Garyd,

Here are my experiences (so far) - they're not very positive, but not intended to put you off! Like you I have 15 years' IT experience, but I have no formal qualifications in that area, and no degree. About 6 years ago I was bitten by the NZ bug, and sought the advice of an immigration consultant. 'Oh yes', they said, 'IT skills are in big demand, qualifications won't matter if you can get a job - just pay us £4000, but no, we can't help you find a job'... I won't name that consultancy, but suffice to say I wasn't going to part with £4k on that basis, so I went to a different agency. This time I was told that unless I had very high level skills i.e. systems analyst or similar, employment would be difficult to find, and without a job offer I certainly wouldn't get enough points. They returned my £100 fee as they felt they were unable to help. Not what I wanted to hear, but they were honest.

My skills lie in a niche market (I'm a Mac sysadmin) so I decided that route was not for me. Instead, I'm going to get the qualification. But your skills sound more marketable than mine - have you had a look at some NZ employment sites to see how your skills match up to the jobs listed? There are some websites and agencies mentioned on this forum.

I think the qualification has to be equivalent to a degree and involve 3 years study or more to be recognised - I don't know if NVQ Level 3 meets those criteria, but it's worth checking out. I don't think your other training would have any bearing on your application, but it might help with finding work. As I understand it, your work experience will count if it's related to your qualification and/or a skilled job offer, and you'll get more points if it's in one of the 'future growth areas' (ICT is one of those) and/or on the skills shortage list (some IT professionals are).

Hope this helps and good luck!

[garyd]

Thanks pinkpiggy and jaycee for both your comments and Good luck!

My skills are fairly broad, covering support. system admin/implementation and networks etc. My qualification is in design and programming, not exactly what I do now. As for where it stands I think from what I have seen it might scrape a level 4 and be worth 10 points.

How do they validate your work experience, from a CV? (open to abuse), a job description signed by your current employer? (not something I feel I can do anytime soon).

Were not planning on going for two years but It would be nice to get the ball rolling and getting my qualification and skills assessed is really the first thing to do.

[pinkpiggy]

I'm not sure how you get your work experience validated. Something we need to find out too. As for the qualification if Sam's HNC doesn't get recognized then I think he will have to seriously consider studying for a Degree (probably take him 2 years as I think he will at least have some credits) but in the grand scheme of things 2 years will fly by, especially when you have a goal in mind.

[jaycee]

Yes, having the evidence seems to be a key factor - someone told a sad story here recently about a woman who despite having a PhD was turned down for PR because she couldn't prove her employment history. I'd be interested in knowing what is required too - I don't even have a job description, so I may have to get my employer to create one!

On a related note, does work experience obtained before your qualification count anyway? It's not the usual way of doing things, is it?!

[pinkpiggy]

I should imagine that any work experience gained before a qualification would count as it counts if you don't have the qualification, doesn't it?

[garyd]

I wonder if I could use my previous employer to validate my experience? Surely it would have to be a job description/letter on letterheaded paper? The fact that they paid for all my training should help and I have certificates for attending the courses?

Further to this, my wife is a pharmacist, she gained her degree from Nottingham Uni which is recognised so does she need to validate anything? She will obviously have to register to work in NZ.

So many questions!

[jaycee]

Pinkpiggy, I like your logic :) Not convinced NZIS would see it that way though!

There's a few topics on the nz2uk website forum about validating work experience. Seems you can use a letter from your employer, contract plus payslips, or even NI records - although how that tells anyone what you actually did in your job I don't know.

Garyd, have you considered making your wife the principal applicant? Unless you are certain your qualification counts, that might be an idea. However if you are the applicant and your NVQ is recognised, her qualification should get you 10 bonus points, but there's no provision for counting her work experience, so for immigration purposes I don't think she would need to validate it - I don't know about requirements for registration though.

[garyd]

Interesting stuff, do you have a link to that jaycee?

My wife will be the main applicant but we want to make sure we get as close to 140 as possible so getting 10 from my qualification would seriously help!

[jaycee]

http://www.uk2nz.co.uk/chat/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=5

There are several threads in there related to work experience. Apologies for linking to a rival forum - but here is so much better anyway :)

If your wife is the applicant you don't have to worry about getting proof of your WE, do you? So no need to tell the boss!

[garyd]

so just get my qualification assessed?

[jaycee]

I think so - then go and help your wife with her registration ;)

[garyd]

Sounds a better option. Just had a quick look at other forum, there is so much stuff going on and so many people in similar situations! I need broadband at home otherwise I'll be out of a job ;-)

[diforsyth]

I had my qualifications certified by NZQA in April 2005. I had a Scottish National Certificate in Computer Studies (1 year course), a Scottish National Diploma in Computer Studies (a further 1 year course) & finally a Scottish Higher National Diploma in Computer Studies (a further 1 year course). NZQA assesed that this combination was comparable to the "learning outcomes of a National Diploma in Computing, Level 6".

I'm not sure whether there is a difference between Scottish & English levels of higher education, perhaps someone can comment.

Biggest downside, this cost NZ$450 :mad: ...got the required points though :)