Come on NZQA!

Lee&Nicky · I Like It Here Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 70

Apologies in advance, this is a posting of sheer unadulterated frustration!

Awaiting assessment from NZQA, should be through by now but still no word. We are holding off exchanging contracts on house sale, I am holding off resigning from my job (but on 6 month notice, so really need to do it this week if we are to meet our desired departure date of mid Feb 2005 Eek

) PLUS I know there are potential employers in NZ offering jobs in my field but no point making contact with them until our plans can be firmed up....ie just need that positive assessment from NZQA. So come on NZQA.....please just come on!!!

This is what I feel like, imprisoned in "the system"! prison

Lee

Moorf · Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 12:23 am Post subject:

Same here - I sent off my details 3 weeks ago very sad

Lee&Nicky · I Like It Here Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 70

Moorf,

Just so you know, our application was received by NZQA on 30 June and we were allocated to a case officer on 7 July. Whilst I am sure the length of time on each case will differ given individual circumstances, my timing may give you an indication of how long you may have to wait. Doesn't stop it from being sheer, bloody agony... what am I going to be like if and when we have PR pending! Wah

Lee

Moorf · Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 12:33 am Post subject:

Well I haven't heard a single THING from them...

I received my "conformation of pre-assessment application" email (yes, they spelt confirmation wrong and it's a qual's assessment outfit Hmmm

) on 8TH JULY! In it it says I will be notified within 10 working days... and I haven't even had anything from them since re case officers etc...

I'm not toooo stressed as it's just a way to see if I can get some extra points and as it's Chartered Inst I am not hopeful.. but worth a try!

Lee&Nicky · I Like It Here Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 70

Moorf,

Our application is on the "fast track" route, paid a fee for this "service" but not sure it really speeds things up. You say as its a "Chartered Institute" not holding out much hope, why not? I thought one of the main factors is whether the qualification was gained by examination entry and, if so, what were the standards of education etc. My qualification is a Chartered Institute gained through two years study and examination process, I am hoping they don't just reject it because it has Chartered Institute in its title! Eek

I am told that NZQA are a bit paranoid about fake documentation and representations that have a bit of a heavy "spin", so they are checking applications quite thoroughly. Fair enough, but having paid the fast track fee and understood (from the NZQA's blurb) that we would hear something within twenty working days, to not hear anything smacks of either a poor service or bad management of expectations.

I'm just blinking fed up today!

Lee

Moorf · Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 12:54 am Post subject:

Hmm I am sure it was a posting on this site that warned me that Chartered Inst exams/quals weren't that great.

The one I currently have going through their system is Chartered Institue of Marketing quals and I'd considered putting forward my M.IDM status too (Institute of Direct Marketing) - not sure now!

Lee&Nicky · I Like It Here Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 70

"Hmm I am sure it was a posting on this site that warned me that Chartered Inst exams/quals weren't that great."

AAAAARRRGGGGHHH!! Say it isn't so! I confess, we used an immigration consultant to put our case and have been lead to believe that we have a good application. I hope this doesn't mean the angst of the last couple of months was for nothing. crybaby

Im just going to resign my job tomorrow anyway now...... falling bricks

Lee[/quote]

Moorf · Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 1:28 am Post subject:

Desperately trying to find that relevant thread .... Uhoh

Moorf · Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 1:30 am Post subject:

http://emigratenz.org/community/viewtopic.php?t=828

This is it.... hope I read it right ...

Lee&Nicky · I Like It Here Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 70

Thanks Moorf, I remember the thread now. My qualification is akin to the accountancy ones, I never thought I would see the day when I would be hoping to be in the same boat as the accountants!

Oh well, there is nothing that can be done now. Just have to wait and see........ sigh

Graham Barnes · Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 4:29 am Post subject:

Er...I actually found NZQA to be quite efficient Clapping

, but only because my brother made all the mistakes I would have made eighteen months earlier! Mr. Green

The key is to follow their instructions to the letter and don't cut corners...they ARE paranoid about false documentation, and so will follow up any evidence which is not signed and stamped (and that means EVERY page!!). They will contact past employers/universities to check any documentation, particularly if you did not send enough evidential detail. Much better to send too much than two little, and do send originals if you can...they will return them (for a small fee of course!!).
But be warned...they do not assess professional accreditation (E.g. QTS for teachers, registration exams for laywers)...only the qualifications taken to get that recognition which must take at least a year full-time to complete.

I was a bit paranoid about this stage because I wasn't sure if they would accept my teaching qualification...took less than one year, part-time, flexible modules and they don't have an equivalent NZ course. Didn't quite "fit the box" for a standard PGCE, but they OK-ed it. But I sent pages and pages of evidence... Nutcase

I got the impression that NZQA have a very black-and-white attitude, and expect you to jump through their hoops precisely...but if you do, they are not obstructive for the sake of it.
Although the actual content of any of NZQA's enquiries are confidential, it is definitely worth contacting any organisation you have used because their failure to respond to NZQA may be causing the delay. It's also worth making sure you give all of their e-mail addresses which will speed up enquiries significantly.

NZQA are getting quite a lot of stick at the moment in NZ because of their fairly shambolic administration of the new NCEA School qualification...whether this affects their Internation Assessment section (QES), I don't know.

I had my quals assessed by fast-track which quarantees a response within 10 days, which may be either "Yes", "No" or "Maybe"...the latter will be a holding letter whilst they check up on something. I was issued a holding letter within two days, and before that arrived, was e-mailed by my assessor to say that their enquiries were complete!! Thanks Open University. Clapping

All done and dusted within a week of receipt!! Nice One

Moorf...you should have received a letter by e-mail to tell you who your case officer is. This is worth phoning them up about because I found it very useful to e-mail my case officer to offer further evidence if she wanted it. But a definite problem with the process is that it relies on subjective decisions, made by individuals who may/may not be in a good mood that day...and NZQA as a whole are under political pressure to accept quals from certain countries/professions NZ require, and reject others whom they don't.
A customer liaison officer I can recommend contacting is Gina Sutherland...who was very helpful. She will also be able to pass on any specific queries to a person i/c of a particular dept (E.g. teaching, nursing quals and the like). Getting it all from the horse's mouth (so to speak) made it all far more comprehendable than reading government-speak documents.

And after all this, what you get back off them is laughable, given the cost of it. A single sheet of A4 full of foruulaic computer-generated statements which must have taken about 5 minutes to put together!! But it does the job I suppose.

Good luck all...keep on smiling!! comfort

.

Glenn · Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 7:48 am Post subject:

I am also having a slow response from NZQA.

16th June. Sent qualifications. (Fast Track)
21st June. NZQA received Quals by Courier.
7th July. No letter received for confirmation so sent email.
8th July. Finally received letter for confirmation of receipt also saying I would have to send the enclosed search form and £30.00 to City & Guilds for my qualifications to be assessed. (Thought this is what I paid NZ$636.00 for!!!). Why couldn't they send me an email saying this and I could have contacted City & Guilds direct saving about 1 month in time???
8th July. Received email in response to email sent on 7th July saying they received my qualifications on 22nd June (not the 21st as told by Tracker with courier) and they processed them in the stipulated 5 days (28th June). Therefore their confirmation letter took 11 days Airmail when other correspondence is taking 3 - 4 days ( Don't think so !!!)
27th July. Sent email to check on progress. No reply
2nd August. Sent another email to check on progress.
2nd August. Received email saying they had not heard from City and Guilds. Will contact them

So far my fast track has taken 7 weeks to check a qualification that is recognised in New Zealand, and I dont expect to get it back for at least another 2 weeks.

My advise is don't pay the extra for Fast Track as it isn't worth it.

sanjivgoomer · Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 2:50 pm Post subject:

Hi Jee and Moorf

I am surprised, as in my case I was promised the assessment report in 6 weeks and it was released on 41st day of the ddate of receipt of my application at NZIS, New Delhi.

May be the verifcation of documents at the issuing office is delayed.

Any way best of luck Nice One

Regards

Sanjiv

PS: Moorf, I hear EOI selection point has fallen to the magic number (120) Clapping

Lee&Nicky · I Like It Here Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 70

Hey thanks all, especially Graham for such an informative post. Good to know I am not the only person suffering an agonising wait, but equally hope we are all given the responses we want, like, NOW!! Hmmm

Anyway, I have decided I am resigning my job today come what may Eek

. Cleared it with the missus yesterday. I've had enough of waiting for others, I'm taking control agaian and I am going to NZ no matter what! Happy NZ

Lee

ENZ · Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 11:01 pm Post subject: