Telecom job on skills list but no degree

[Femur]

Hi all,

 

I've worked in Telecoms for 14 years (entered the dispatch department after A-levels at 18) and as a Telecom network engineer for 8years.

 

My job (Telecommunications Network Engineer) is on the skills list however Engineers Australia demand a degree :arghh:

 

Is is there any way to bypass this as surely 14 years with the same employer, actually doing the job has more value and demonstrates more knowledge than three years in a university with little real world experience?

 

I'd like to emigrate to Oz to be closer to my sister who relocated there with her Aussie husband four years ago. However if a degree is a requirement I'll probably shelve the idea as it's an expensive three years for little career value at the end!

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Barry1986]

Ring "The Down Under Centre " in Ealing they should be able to help you to gain a (RPL) recognition or prior learning. To gain the qualification you need.

[stevej]

What exactly is your uk job that you feel falls under telecoms engineer? These may be different from what Australia call your job hence the confusion with engineers Australia.

[Femur]

Optical network engineer (deal with fibre faults ). I've read up and it comes under Telecom Officer or Telecom Network Engineer.

 

Thanks for the replies but unfortunately it seems I need a degree.

 

I think think the trouble is that I am in a very specialist job so cannot change the job description to something less demanding.

Quite frustrating to be honest, especially when I know more on the subject than those teaching telecommunications at university :biglaugh:

[stevej]

The issue you are coming across is that the uk does not use the title engineer like many other countries. In a lot of countries it is a protected title that can only be used by people registered as an engineer following a foundation degree or bachelors. For example an Openreach network engineer does not require any formal academic qualifications to use the title engineer in the uk. This would be more likened to a technician/associate/officer in Oz.

[Femur]

The trouble is that a technician does the install and cabling work which I have very little experience of.

 

My job is exactly the same as a telecom network engineer in that I monitor the optical network and arrange fixes and problem solve. I don't think any of my colleagues have a degree (apart from a few Indian staff).

 

Thanks for the help, but I think I might as well give up or become a bad soap actor!

[stevej]

It can be very hard mapping certain jobs. It's worth speaking to a migration agent just in case there is any other routes. I looked at emigrating about 6 years ago but even though I had the qualifications I hadn't done the job enough in the years leading upto it so vetesses wouldn't give me a positive skills assessment. We are now applying in my wife's name as main applicant. There is often other routes it depends how much you want to make the move I guess. Good luck either way.

[Barry1986]

Were there is a will there is a way don't give up

[wrussell]

Hi all,

 

I've worked in Telecoms for 14 years (entered the dispatch department after A-levels at 18) and as a Telecom network engineer for 8years.

 

My job (Telecommunications Network Engineer) is on the skills list however Engineers Australia demand a degree :arghh:

 

Is is there any way to bypass this as surely 14 years with the same employer, actually doing the job has more value and demonstrates more knowledge than three years in a university with little real world experience?

 

I'd like to emigrate to Oz to be closer to my sister who relocated there with her Aussie husband four years ago. However if a degree is a requirement I'll probably shelve the idea as it's an expensive three years for little career value at the end!

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

May I suggest that you consult a registered migration agent for advice about developing a visa strategy?