[mid_life_crisis]

If anyone is employed in the world of electronics in NZ, I sure would like to talk with you. I am over in Nz scouting around at the moment looking for leads.

[bob_the_engineer]

Hi Mid_life_crisis,

Welcome to the forum, I’m an electronics engineer too. Can you tell me what you do (design/test/service) and what area your experience is in.

I’m no expert on the electronics industry in NZ (only been here a few months myself) but I do know a few of the companies, so if you can tell me what you do I will pass on anything that may be relevant to you.

Kind Regards Bob

[Glo & Gil]

Hi Bob

Don't know if you will be able to help.

I'm a ATM Technician + I have a past record as Computer technician (13yrs). Am trying to look for a job & then send my EOI. Any contacts welcomed.

THKS

Gil

[H & Rick]

Hi Glo & Gil & Bob

Just stumbled upon this thread..

Rick is also looking for Electronics jobs in NZ.

He is an Electronics Engineer with 10 years experience in design/test and servicing...from telecommunications to avionics.

Have noticed loads of jobs in Auckland but not many in the outer regions. We would ideally perfer to live in South Island and have just discovered the Canterbury Cluster firms.

Gil if you are looking at the south Island this may help...

http://www.electronicssouth.com/index.cfm/Home

Bob can you offer us any help on the North...outside Aukland?

[Glo & Gil]

Hi Heidi

Thks so much. Will let you know if I found something. Hubby busy working so I am the one on search duty !!!!!!!!!! wHAT A RESPONSIILITY :confused:

Cheers

Glo

[bob_the_engineer]

Hi Heidi,

The work situation outside Auckland on the North Island is poor. I live in Hawke’s Bay and because we have just lost 2 big electronics companies here the situation is bad bad bad!

Hamilton is probably a good bet, and Welly (Lovely place) has a few opportunities too, but for a first job on the North Island your best bet is to head for Auckland, get some NZ experience and if you still don’t want to stay in Auckland move on.
I don’t know if you’ve been to Auckland, if you haven’t its not like London, I found it surprisingly friendly and clean for a big city.

Rick’s experience sounds very similar to my own, to be honest the best advice I can give is, if you do go to the North Island head for Auckland. There are some really exciting things going on in NZ electronics companies, the attitude is different to the UK’s accountant run, revamp old kit approach that seems to have overtaken the UK industry. If he enjoys designing and likes a challenge, I’m sure he’ll like the attitude here.

And thanks for the link, that was really interesting.

Bob

[bob_the_engineer]

Hi Gil,

I’m sorry, I don’t really have any contacts in the service industry and there is a reason for that!

The service industry is really tightly controlled, unlike the UK I would find it really really difficult to get a service position in NZ.
The reason for this is the EWRB, they license service engineers to practice (a bit like electricians licenses). I can get an Engineers License that I think would allow me to work in the service industry, but it costs $$$ the license expires so you have to pay to renew it and take first aid courses too.

The only reason development engineers don’t have to have a mandatory licence is because the IPENZ managed to stop the EWRB from imposing it. This means I cant connect a system I design to the mains (need an electrician for that) and I cant repair a system and put it back in service either (unless I get the Engineers License).

Kind Regards Bob

[Glo & Gil]

Hi Bob

Thks for th info. I guess it won't be easy to find a job before sending our EOI. Actually we have 125 points and was thinking of adding a job offer to that to speed up the process. Don't really know what to do?

What about you ? Where do you work and how did you tackle this job problem?

Cheers
Gil

[bob_the_engineer]

Hi Gil,

My advice is send the EOI off now, you can always add a job offer to your case later.

Get in touch with the ewrb and ask them to carry out an assessment of your qualifications and experience. This is free, and you can then add approved assessment by the EWRB to your CV. I don’t think you can get the licence without actually being in NZ, and I don’t think NZIS will give you an ITA unless they are confident that you can work in NZ.

Basically what I’m trying to say is if NZIS are prepared to send you an ITA then getting the EWRB to grant you a licence is a formality, its just that you need to expect to sort it out so that it doesn’t take you by surprise when you arrive, and you need to be able to get by without work until they process your licence.

As for me I’m lucky, I don’t need EWRB approval to design, it just takes away my option to work as a service engineer, and restricts some of the tasks I would normally carry out.

Please don’t let my comments dishearten you, the reason I’m telling you about this is because it’s not a pleasant surprise and forewarned is fore armed as they say!

Get your EOI off, get an assessment by the ewrb, sort out your ITA (and add your ewrb assessment if you can) and get your licence as soon as you arrive.

As to your question about how I tackled the problem, the simple truth is you have to tow the line, the ewrb is still rolling regarding my Engineers Licence, and until its sorted out I simply have to accept that I can only design equipment and I can t service or connect it to the mains!

Hope that’s helpful Bob

[Glo & Gil]

Hi Bob

:cheers

thks

gil