[edie209]

Hi firstly great site looks like i will find alot of answers here.

I work in IT (I have my own IT support company here in the UK) but my wife and I are thinking about emergrating to New Zealand.

What I would like to know is

1. Is there much IT work in NZ
2. What are the qualifications that stand out ( I will have MCSE 2003 By the end of March 2005, I also have a HND in electronics and electrical engineering and a handful of other IT related qualifications)
3. How do you start the process, what advice would you offer.

Sorry to ask so many question on my first post

[Graham Barnes]

Hi Edie,

I'm afraid I don't know much about IT in particular...but if you've run your own business in the UK, you could try a Business Visa as well as a standard PR application??

Re. qualifications; I know that HND is recognised by NZQA (as level 4 I think which equals 50 points). Don't know about MCSE but be careful, as they can be a bit funny about IT qualifications because some of them can be gained quite easily. E.g. NZQA do not assess qualifications which have taken less than a year full time study or equivalent. Best bet, give NZQA a ring. I've always found them helpful. They use a big 'grid' to compare qualifications and should be able to give you a provisional match for a UK qual quite easily.


Good luck.

[sarahw]

Hi Edie,

Welcome!

In answer to your questions, I'd start out by surfing the NZIS (Immigration Service) website to find out if you're in an occupation that's in demand/shortage or is recognised.

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/

What Graham is saying about NZQS evaluating your qualifications is right - if your qualifications (exact named ones) aren't on the NZIS list of recognised qualifications then they won't accept them for any points (partner had HNC in a different subject to their list and they would not accept it for points unless we had NZQS evaluation).

I'd also try a few job-sites in NZ to see what kind of roles are available and potentially speak with some agencies to see if there is demand in your area of expertise. I think (but not in the IT game myself so someone please correct me if I'm wrong) that Auckland and Wellington are the main centres of IT in the country.

Hope this is of help.

[Rimbo]

Hi Edie, Welcome.
As suggested go to the NZIS site and find what your points tally will be. i expect that you have more than enough points to submit your eoi.
your MCSE will not count towards your points tally but will be well sought after by anyone advertising jobs. Thats why your taking it! :nice1

maybe a good idea to look at this and other job sites. this should help you gauge your worth. You will see from this one that all IT specialist agencies advertise here and there seems to be alot of jobs. I think we IT bods should be fine. If i had the points like i suspect you may, i would submit them before the points threshold grows abit.

http://it.jobstuff.co.nz/

Are you familier with the immigration process yet?

What field are you in ie, Support, DEV, Wintel, Tester etc.

John

[Dave & Sandra]

This is also an IT site

http://www.jobuniverse.co.nz/

Sandra