New Zealand’s dairy farmers have been lobbying to have occupations in the dairy industry added to the Immediate Skills Shortage List (ISSL).
According to a press conference from Federated Farmers, dairy farms across New Zealand are in severe need of skilled workers to fill the current void left by an aging workforce and an increase in employees leaving the industry. Federates Farmers Employment spokesperson, Frank Brenmuhl, said that the industry will require roughly 4,000 people to begin working in the dairy farming sector in order to plug the gap.
New Zealand has become that latest country to confidently say that its level of migrant intake will remain high despite the global financial meltdown.
Furthermore, in contrast with other in-demand migration destinations, such as its neighbouring Australia, the government has stated that migration New Zealand immigration quotas will not be cut in a bid to avoid the possibility of unemployment among native-born new Zealanders.
Canada has been ranked as one of the world’s premium destinations for study and work. Based upon education, national income quality of life statistics, as well as the country’s comfortable population density, quality healthcare system and low levels of crime, studying in Canada has becoming a highly attractive option for numerous international students looking to study abroad.
Immigration minister Jonathan Coleman has pledged to request money ahead of the next budget in order to improve the performance of the New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS).
Coleman’s announcement comes in the wake of a report published by the Auditor-General, which states that 20 per cent of decisions made by the NZIS were deemed to be questionable or poor. Moreover, the present computer system used by the immigration service is barely able to store basic information.
The Canadian immigration department prepared a skills shortage list of 38 occupations in a move to encourage immigrants to fill the void.
It is claimed that, in spite of the economic downturn, the government has not forgotten about industries suffering from skills shortage and is encouraging people possessing relevant skills to apply for a visa.
A report from the Australian government has made it clear that immigration will be paramount to the country regaining economic stability in the wake of the global financial crisis.
This year, migration quotas were slashed in order to ensure that employment levels among native Australians remained as stable as possible. Last week, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released data showing that the nationwide level of employment has remained remarkably stable, with a change of just 0.01 per cent being recorded last month, thus exemplifying Australia’s resistance to the worldwide recession.
New Zealand might be 11,500 miles away, but those who make an effort to move there appear to be the happiest among thousands emigrating every year.
New Zealand is highly rated in all areas; in comparison to other developed countries, it has lower property prices, lower taxes and better weather.
Many interviewed Britons stated that because of those three advantages they were less stressed and could afford a better quality of life. They said that average wages are lower, but because of lower taxation earnings go further.
At the end of each year of the Australian migration program the grant of skilled visas is slowing. This is nothing unusual, as the Department of Immigration needs to make sure that the number of skilled professionals who are migrating to Australia is not different to the number announced by the Immigration Minister for the program year, which ends on 30th of June.
Many applications that are ready for visa grant are being put on hold until the new program year will start on 1st July 2009.
One of the most significant changes in the migration law from the 1st July 2009 will be the increase in IELTS test requirement for technical level occupations. It will be essential for potential applicants to demonstrate their English proficiency in the application process.
Until the 1st of July 2009, technical level occupations have been required to demonstrate only 5 in each band. This requirement will rise to 6 from July 2009.
The New Zealand immigration department designed the new web tool to make it easier for employers to find New Zealand holiday makers who want to work during the peak months of the year.
The 'Magnet technology' targets people with desirable skills and encourages them to travel to New Zealand. The website will help potential employees to find a job and at the same time will act as a free database for employers who seek skilled temporary workers.
Canada's Immigration Department wants to introduce collection of biometric data as photos and fingerprints on everyone coming to the country by 2013 and regardless of visitor's nationality.
At the meeting with the Parliamentary Immigration Commitee, Deputy Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Richard Fadden stated that the plan will be phased between 2011 and 2013.
As the result of the biannual review of the Immediate Skill Shortage List, 44 occupations were removed from the list. Head of Immigration, Andrew Annakin, said that the move, which left ISSL with 87 occupations, indicates the scale of change New Zealand’s economy has undergone in the past months.
"Occupations which were identified as readily trainable and those for which New Zealanders may be available were reviewed for removal. In this time of economic uncertainty, these types of occupations were prioritised for review to ensure opportunities for New Zealanders. That said, there will be ongoing review of all occupations on the list."
At the end of last year, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Evans, announced alterations to the skilled migration program. The announcement caused a lot of misunderstanding and led potential migrants to develop new myths about the program and migration in general. This article will dispel some those myths.
Australia will not accept more skilled migrants
This is not true. With 115,000 skilled visas granted in the year to 30th June, 2009, the skilled migration program is to break the last year record. In the year to 30th June, 2010, the number of skilled visas granted will shrink to 108,100 (the same as in 2008).
According to The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Australia has been the only major Western economy to avoid recession. As a result, it became the most attractive destination to potential migrants from around the world.
The Rudd Government released official data that shows Australia avoided recession which settled in other countries in the world. Australia noted 0.4 per cent growth in GDP in the last quarter due to strong performance from exports.
Despite the global recession, the Australian working holiday program has noted a significant growth in the past decade, being the only sector of the Australian tourism industry with positive results. However, it is feared that the program might be the next target of the Australian government after it reduced the number of temporary Australian visa holders coming to the country through the 457 scheme.
The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) announced that the program is the crucial part of the Australian tourism industry during the recession, as it provides the smaller businesses with a constant stream of income.
The latest government statistics show that the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) population will reach 500,000 by 2050.
The data is based on Australian immigration figures as well as mortality and fertility. It is said that the population should hit 350,000 in 2010 and 400,000 in 2022. Nearly a quarter of the growth will be contributed by Australian immigration, while the rest will be driven by births against deaths.
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