Shortage of HT Drivers in & around Canterbury/Christchur

robothamma

Please can someone help us we are desperate to come out to NZ (pref South Island) and have been for about a year, and are now on the verge of just going and hoping for the best ! My hubby is a HGV Driver over here
and we have heard that there is a shortage of HT Drivers in & around Canterbury although this doesn't appear on NZIS occ shortages ! If he was to come out there and pay for his training for HT Driving what would his chances be of gaining a job having no NZ exp. so that we could apply for a work visa/permit (ie the very much needed job offer!) Also would this help us get permanent residency in the very near future?
Can you also tell me the best thing for you about the South Island and also the worst ?
Thanks for any help or advice
fingers crossed

Kiwibound? · Posted: Thu May 27, 2004 6:38 pm Post subject:

I don't know about the shortages....but if your hubby gets a job offer, the company will have to apply for approval in principle (prove that they have tried to employ a NZ resident) as the occupation isn't on the OSL.

Be aware though that the job may not be enough to get you residency, so you may only beable to go out for the validity of the work visa. You will need to check out your points!!

good Luck all the bset for the future.

Sara.

Moorf · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 1:15 am Post subject:

What is the time validity of a work visa?

Kim39 · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 5:21 am Post subject:

I hope what i have to say will be a little help to you and hubby. Firstly there is a shortage of experienced HGV Class 1 (class5 nz) drivers in NZ not just Christchurch. What class of driver is your hubby? It is running presently at 5%, your hubby knows of the shortage here well its the same worldwide. I too am a Class 1 driver who is trying my utmost to get my family to NZ for a better life. I have hit many brick walls but i have just persevered, you have to just keep at it. At present i have been pursuing this for 4months i emailed roughly 150 companies large and small for that 1 vital offer and hey fingers crossed

i just could have found it(can`t give to much info on company as i don`t want somebody to jump the queue and get in ahead of me).
NZ experience: If you get that vital offer you will get that vital NZ experience its a catch 22 situ. Once you have that experience on your permit you can apply for residency. Remember if you get that vital offer for work outside Auckland then your points will become bigger so your chance increases.
South Island: sorry can`t help we are looking at North Island. But if that offer comes from the North grab it. You can always move if you aren`t happy.
One last piece of advice is get hubby to post his profile on www.nzrta.co.nz, this is a NZ truck site which employers view from time to time, who knows you could get lucky. Nice One

Keep plugging away it will happen.
Kim

goldwheels · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 8:48 am Post subject:

Hi robothamma
I have sent you a pm

veronica · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 2:35 pm Post subject:

Hi, we are in chch now and I understand there is also a shortage of Bus drivers too, one young lady we know of has got a work visa and training through the bus company.

robothamma · Posted: Mon May 31, 2004 7:35 am Post subject: Thanks to Everyone!

A Big Thank-you to everyone for answering this is by far the best site on the net !
I had no idea people could be so helpful! Esp in Britain!!!LOL! We've decided to meet an expert for some advice, but it looks like we will just go We now have a contact on the South Island that looks promising, we've just got to get to grips with points, visas, permits and loads of red tape ! LOL still it WILL all be worth it when we are finally free of Blighty !
Good luck to everyone fingers crossed