Early days for us and already starting to feel confused! Anyone offer advice on migration agents?We have approached several only to recieve different opinions from Both.One says i have two hopes...and one of them is dead!.The other says no problems whatsoever! Who do i believe? Our main concern as you would expect is one of being fleeced only to discover that we have zero chance of emigrating. I worked as a Welder/Fabricator for 10 or more years before becoming a Senior Service engineer for a utilities company and am nearing the end of a 2 year HNC in engineering. Unfortunately I never had the oppurtunity to serve an apprenticeship.....Not many did in the early eighties! Although i beleive that my 10 or more years experience as a welder should be enough to allow me to enter on a skilled visa.The first agent I spoke to didn't want to know as soon as he discovered i was not time served and suggested i "give up"....(not f****n likely m8) The second agent "four corners" seems a lot more enthusiastic and rates our chances highly....or does he just want to relieve me of my hard earned.To sum up i would appreciate any advice on agents and such like and the best way to proceed. As stated earlier we are still in the early stages but way past the "should we or shouldn't we" stage. Apologies for the long drawn out post
hiya
had a similar problem i had served my time but couldnt find any paperwork to prove it. I am a mechanical fitter.The visa bureau helped me a lot.They got me to write a statutory declaration stating what sort of training i had during my apprenticship.Trying to remember back twenty odd years was not easy.But the effort was well worth it,just go into as much detail as possible about the training you undertook ,tools used experiences and wages earned at each step showing an increase with the increase in knowledge.Our visas were granted Jan8th .We reccomened the visa bureau they are very helpfull throughout the whole process.Any further questions or advice dont hesitate to ask e-mail me on cpjsmith@aol.com
Location: From Bury,Manchester To Jimboomba, Brisbane
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We used Visa Bureau who offered a money back service so you know if they take you on youve got a damn good chance of getting the visa,they were really helpful and explained every option ,a phone consulatation wont cost you so why not give them a try
Cal x
Hi pippycol,
thanks for your reply, we have already contacted the visa bureau via the web and are awaiting a call from an advisor, great news about your visa application and helpful advice about the apprenticeship issue.Although technically i served an apprenticeship....i.e "on the job training" it does not actually qualify as a recognised apprenticeship, with no formal documentation to prove my skills i suppose i am in the same position as you were....did you attend college during your apprenticeship or any other external training. Getting some proof or form of documentation together will not be a problem as the Firm I worked for is still in business and owned by my father so no worries on that score! I have an appointment to see a guy from "fourcorners" on Tuesday, but will also progress the visa bureau application to weigh up both against each other before i invest in either.
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My hubby was the same ,did it on site for a company who no longer exist ,we managed to track down the old workshop manager who did a stat dec for us ,it mustve been ok cause we are here ,im sure you will find a way
Cal x
The fact that you didn't serve a formal apprenticeship is not a bar to applying for a trade skills assessment classification: work experience can replace the formal apprenticeship process, though you will need to demonstrate a longer period of skilled work.
Importantly you are required to demonstrate a "skills transition" for your occupation - ie from having little or no knowledge of the occupation through to having the competencies of a fully skilled tradesperson.
If you haven't done so already, please feel able to telephone my office in Southampton on 023 80 488777, and have a chat with my colleague Marina Towner.
Best regards.
__________________
Managing Director, Go Matilda, http://www.gomatilda.com
Registered Migration Agent Number 0102534 and Chartered Accountant (England & Wales, and Australia)
Offices in the UK and in Australia
Hi pippycol,
thanks for your reply, we have already contacted the visa bureau via the web and are awaiting a call from an advisor, great news about your visa application and helpful advice about the apprenticeship issue.Although technically i served an apprenticeship....i.e "on the job training" it does not actually qualify as a recognised apprenticeship, with no formal documentation to prove my skills i suppose i am in the same position as you were....did you attend college during your apprenticeship or any other external training. Getting some proof or form of documentation together will not be a problem as the Firm I worked for is still in business and owned by my father so no worries on that score! I have an appointment to see a guy from "fourcorners" on Tuesday, but will also progress the visa bureau application to weigh up both against each other before i invest in either.
yes I did go to college,I just mentioned the name of the college and the years I attended.With the stat dec go into as much detail as possible.If you wanted I could e-mail you a copy of the one Idone if that would be of any help
Hi boilermeister,
If you choose the TRA pathway D to gain your skills assessment you only need to have 6 years work experience in the directly related trade, but as mentioned above you do need to have "A verifiable skill level transition process" for more info go on the TRA website and download the UNIFORM ASSESSMENT CRITERIA it will tell you all you need to know.
yes I did go to college,I just mentioned the name of the college and the years I attended.With the stat dec go into as much detail as possible.If you wanted I could e-mail you a copy of the one Idone if that would be of any help
That would be a big help if you could email just to give me an idea of what information will be required. We are in sefton...but i know Widnes reasonably well as i used to own a fishing tackle shop in Garston