[Simon S]

Hi everyone,
Still pretty new to the scene but from what i have read there's an awful lot of good info on here and having been stuck here browsing through all old and new threads for the last month i feel that i need to ask a few things.
I am a bricklayer with trade qualifications which are currently being assessed having been sent to Wellington two weeks ago. I have taken the plunge and sent my cv for prospective employers to view. I was pleasantly surprised to receive a telephone call from a representative and hopes were raised.Whilst i was told that there were three other applicants, two from new zealand it was nice to get a response of that type.I understand i am not the only one in this position does anyone out there have any insite into the bricklaying job availability in NZ.
I did visit for three weeks last August and got the impression that tradesmen were required. My trip was a fact finding tour on behalf of my wife and three children. A wonderful place for a family to grow up. My dilemma is whether to keep plugging away with the cv or get on the next flight out of town and chase the jobs down. Would i apply for a working visa and then go for it or do i get a visitors visa and see what there is for me when i get there.
As you can tell i am still a little confused.
Any advice would be great.
Many thanks
Simon S

[marcia]

Have you been onto the NZIS site and done the points calculator? That would be a good starting point, to see if you could apply anyway, whilst still trying to find a job.

Some people manage to get jobs without being in New Zealand whilst others say employers are not interested until they know you are in the country - (we managed to secure a job offer before we could apply!)

There are lots of jobs out here and i'm sure if you did make the move on a visitors visa you would soon be applying for a work visa - there are a few people who have done this on the forum - just a bit scary especially if you have a family!

Anyway welcome to the forum :nice1 - if you've already been using the search facility you will have found out how useful it is - many questions have already been answered in the past but if you can't find the answer ask away - someone usually comes along with some help! :yes

[Simon S]

Hi Marcia,
Thanks for the response, yes we have drummed up our points total with a dry run on the EOI and inclusive of my qualifications we come up at 90 without a job offer, so you can see my concern as to finding that job so as to secure those extra points. Looks like i will be planning to take another trip, attempt to secure a job and then concentrate on moving everyone over. Realisticly i think this might be the best option.
But I,ll keep on trying with the applications on line at present.
Thanks again.
Simon S

[veronica]

I'd say come on out here and get a job. One lad we knew was here and got a work visa and was earning really good money being paid 'by the yard' for his brickwork.

[vixxann]

Simon

My husband is self employed here in Uk and does building/carpentry work but has no formal qualifications.

At NZ Expo in Manchester last year he got VERY positive response from everyone we spoke to - even more independant staff like on bank stands etc who weren't trying to sign him up to their recruitment agency and just leading him on. Apparently the construction industry in NZ is very short of skilled tradespeople and we were told repeatedly that he'd have no trouble picking up a job, even without qualifications, once he was in NZ.

Whether or not you can get one from here based on your qualifications I don't know. I think in most instances they take you more seriously if you are "on the ground". That is our plan for later this year hopefully - just hope we hit the ground running :D

Good luck and let us know how you go on!

Vicki