22 October 2008
AUSTRALIAN TRADE SKILLS ASSESSMENTS ISSUES
There has been much debate and not a little anguish over trade skills assessments since September 2007 when the TRA removed pathway D and VETASSESS took over assessment of some trades in the UK.
In September this year we were to start a new TRA system known as MAP, this has now been delayed for an unknown period of time while a debate goes own between the trade colleges and the Dept of workplace relations and TRA over whether work experience for students in Australia has to be paid or not.
When will it be resolved? Your guess is as good as mine as it took us this long to reach the first draft of MAP – obviously the dialogue and feedback systems at TRA did not anticipate any disagreement especially from Australian institutions. They are used to ignoring us the clients, but, when an Australian ‘stakeholder’ (government speak for “other person who makes money from the process”) makes a complaint they had to listen!
What do we recommend?
Obviously everyone’s situation is slightly different, but, you need to ask yourself how important it is to you to migrate to Australia and how much it is worth to you and your family. There are other issues for some trades about how valuable an Australian qualification is in terms of your earning power in Australia and again you may need to consider this. You also need to look at your score on the points system and what will happen if there are changes to the bonus points lists next year.
Who should be most concerned?
Some people have been waiting for some time to have this issue resolved. Those most vulnerable to any changes in my opinion are:
If you would like to reassess you situation or clarify any points please do not hesitate to call Visa Unit Ltd on 0845 061 6600.
What are the options?
Wait and see what happens. If there is not announcement by 1st November I suspect the next earliest date will be mid to end of January 2009. If the changes are favourable and there have been no adverse changes in migration rules (see my other article on the Future of Australian Migration) then all you have lost is 3 months or so of time. If the rules change you may have lost the chance to migrate. Remember TRA are not associated with DIAC at all and their attitude to the results of their policy changes is “we are not responsible for the results in migration outcomes of our internal policies.”
You can obtain an Australian qualification either by assessment ‘on the job’ by an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO) or if you are one of the following by examination by VETASSESS.
Please note the next times for registering for an assessment. Remember that the written submission including all paperwork such as CV’s and references, must be submitted by the closing dates.
16 – 20 February
Assessments
No Refrigeration and Air-conditioning
No Glasgow assessments
Closing dates:
25 November
New application
15 December
Practical payment
April 6 – 17 April Assessments
No assessments10 April - 13 April (inclusive)
Closing dates:
27 January
New application
23 February
Practical payment
Finally if you have some qualifications and sufficient experience and can find a suitable Australian company to sponsor you, you may get assessed in Australia. The difficulty with this is that you need approximately three months work to show and Australian RTO assessor and your visa is temporary and although it may extend until the time your application is finalised (5—8 months) there are no guarantees. If the employment ends you must either find another sponsor within 28 days or leave Australia.
Copyright Visa Unit Ltd 2008.
The MIA has been consulting with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations [DEEWR] and Trades Recognition Australia [TRA] about a replacement for "Pathway D" that would allow the migrant entry of more tradespeople to Australia to address ongoing and urgent skill shortages.
The MIA made substantial representations to government and was the first industry body consulted on this issue. As a result, the MIA advised members on 27 June 2008 of TRA's intention to introduce the new Migration Assessment Policy on 1 September 2008.
Unfortunately, implementation of the new arrangements had to be deferred and TRA has now been advised us that a second draft MAP will be issued in the near future and further consultation with stakeholders will follow.
The development of the revised MAP and consultations have been complicated by a recent move of the TRA within DEEWR - now located within the division responsible for the VET sector.
We look forward to the second draft and the opportunity for further consultation before the end of September.
Below is an extract of the draft of proposed changed. The main centrepiece of the new rules is the need to have four years work experience and a recognised qualification for everyone. There will no longer be pathways instead it will be replaced by two streams, A for people using Australian qualifications and experience and B for overseas qualifications. In both streams, the requirements are going to include a qualification (skill category 1) and work experience (skill category 2).
There are various options for skills recognition including things like trade tests, technical interviews, industry registration and on the job inspections which are now additional options for TRA beyond the formal requirements for each stream.
7. Skill Stream B – International
7.1. Skill category 1 Training / Skills Recognition: Applicants must provide evidence of having completed at least one element from Skill Category 1 as follows:
7.1.1. formal vocational training; or
7.1.2. formal skills recognition.
7.2. In relation to clause 7.1.1, formal vocational training must:
7.2.1. consist of structured institution based tuition; and
7.2.2. result in the award of a formally recognised qualification applicable to the nominated occupation.
7.3. In relation to clause 7.1.2, formal skills recognition must:
7.3.1. result from completion of a workplace assessment; or
7.3.2. be confirmed by a recognised industrial or occupational licence.
7.4. In relation to 7.3.1, the workplace assessment must:
7.4.1. have been undertaken by an organisation accredited by an authorised governing body whose standards can be independently verified by TRA; and
7.4.2. result in the award of a formally recognised qualification applicable to the nominated occupation.
7.5. Skill Category 2 Employment: Applicants must also demonstrate no less than four (4) years employment.
7.6. For the purposes of clause 7.5, applicants are able to claim a maximum of one (1) year credit towards their employment if they provide evidence of completing formal vocational training.
7.7. For the purposes of clause 7.5, such employment must include a skill level transition.