Plan B Forum

US workers to fill shortages in Australia

April 2, 2012 - 4:10PM


The federal government will allow workers from the United States, such as electricians and plumbers, to get their licences to work in Australia on arrival.

Federal Skills Minister Chris Evans said the measure would link Australian employers with skilled workers in the US to fill skill shortages, especially in the civil engineering areas.

"This is a great opportunity to address skill shortages in Australia by filling shortfalls in particular areas with qualified candidates from the US, with applications expected to open from mid-April," he said in a statement today.

Under existing arrangements such workers need to be assessed onshore, which can mean waiting months between entry and starting work.

Under the new skills assessment process, US workers will be assessed against Australian regulatory requirements before entering the country.

Senator Evans told reporters the assessment process was available to other nations and it was only logical that it be extended to the US.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said the government was planning to run its overseas Skills Australia Needs expo in the US for the first time to attract skilled workers in the resources, energy and infrastructure sectors.

Peter Tighe, the national secretary of the Communications, Electrical, Plumbing Union, welcomed the announcement by the government, describing it as a "step in the right direction".

He said many American unemployed skilled workers had "quality" training, adding that they were keen to work overseas because of the lack of work available "in their own backyards".

The CEPU wants every licensed electrician and plumber to have the opportunity to work before overseas workers.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/us-worke ... z1qrYCt6sf

Sean wrote:I might be convinced CP if not for the fact that I know some pretty good unemployed Aussie sparkeys.

A family of 14 have forked out £8,000 on one-way tickets to Australia as they look to start a new life Down Under... even though none of them have lined up a job yet.

Dave and Jackie Jones, who have seven girls and five boys, decided to leave their home town of Barrow, Cumbria, and have flown their massive brood out to Brisbane because they believe their huge family will have better opportunities over there than they already have in the UK.

The Joneses hit the headlines in 2010 for not claiming any state benefits, despite the financial strain of providing for so many children, relying heavily on 42-year-old Dave who made extra money by working long shifts.

He worked 12-hour night shifts in paper mill Kimberly-Clark, earning enough money to support his large family, which also gave him extra time with his children during the day.

But he has now given up his job of 15 years to make the bold move and admits he has yet to secure a job in their new home.

Believing Australia would provide a better life for his family he made the long haul flight with his wife Jackie, 43, and children Charlotte, 12, Melissa, 16, Callum, 18, Lydia, four, Jayden, six, Liam, eight, Hayley, 17, Shay, three, baby Lily, aged four months, Bradley, 10, Stephanie, 15 and Chelsie, 14 on Saturday.

Dave said: 'I have got to do the best for my kids and I feel like the way the UK is at the moment that the opportunities I want for my children are not going to be there.

'So initially we all sat down together as a family and told them what we were thinking and asked who wanted to move and who didn't.

'But they all wanted to, it was unanimous.'

Speaking shortly before the flight Dave added:'The journey doesn't really faze us, to be honest.

'We have been to Majorca for the last five years and we have just got back from Euro Disney on the Eurostar.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z1rads0BsP

Speaking shortly before the flight Dave added:'The journey doesn't really faze us, to be honest.

'We have been to Majorca for the last five years and we have just got back from Euro Disney on the Eurostar.

He worked 12-hour night shifts in paper mill Kimberly-Clark, earning enough money to support his large family,

A father of 12 who moved his family to Australia says he wishes he'd left 'benefits Britain' long ago.

David Jones, his wife Jackie, 43, and their children aged from four months to 18 have only been in Brisbane, Queensland, for two weeks but are already reaping the benefits from the Aussie way of life.

Mr Jones says he has had six job interviews and is due to start work as a machine fitter shortly.
The family also say they have also been overwhelmed by the welcome they have received from complete strangers.
Speaking to The Sun, Mr Jones said: 'They (Australians) just seem to have a completely different outlook on life. People don’t expect something for nothing. They work for what they get and they value their leisure time.'

Mr Jones hit the headlines in 2010 for refusing to live on benefits despite the financial strain of providing for so many children.

The 42-year-old from Barrow, Cumbria, instead chose instead to make up the extra money by working gruelling 12-hour night shifts in paper mill Kimberly-Clark.

This brought in about £38,000 a year, with a further £5,000 in overtime and bonuses. The family also received child tax credits and child benefit of £617 a month.

When the economy nose-dived the family decided to search out a better life in Australia and with Britain now officially back in recession today, it seems like they made the right decision.

Mr Jones blames the current benefits culture for the country's economic woes and has hit out at the Government for not doing enough to stem the 'scroungers'.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z1t5vPHLkx

bigskygal wrote:Father of 12?!?!?!?



Figure out how to use a condom!