rabble_rouser

Yeah I was pretty sure surgeon/lawyer etc requires some extensive study but lets make a less extreme/unclear example that confuses me. Draughtsman?

Beoz

Is a draughtsman still an occupation? Wasn't this someone who created drawings with pens and pencils on a drawing board, which was superceded by computer aided design, which has now been superceded by 3D modelling which requires both understanding of a particular software and knowledge of a specialized engineering discipline? Don't think there's a qualification for that. Its all about experience.

joeyballantyne

rabble, that is laughable mate, who are these people that think tafe courses are better than a degree?... you're hanging out with the wrong peeps

yes as swervo said it can depend on the career - if you can be a bit more specific in your questions e.g. doing what at tafe? doing a degree in what? i'm sure i can help

Geezer123

Some courses at TAFE are not easy.

Would engineering at TAFE be harder than just say Arts/Communications at University? absolutely.

Beoz

Yes. And has a longer curriculum.

paulry

I'm sure you already have your answer from the other posts here, but stop sweating the small stuff and do what Blogsie above has said, he's spot on

robstar487

A very interesting post as I have just received my results yesterday from my UK university. We made the move over in September last year, so had to completed my dissertation by correspondence. I have completed my course over 5 years PT as I was a mature student working a full time job in UK.


I have finally graduated with a B-ENG Hons second class upper, so very happy with results. Do recruiters actually recognise our UK qualifications, as I am finding it impossible to find work, and mostly see in advertisement Australian recognised qualifications. Back in the UK I was in continuous employment for 15 years and worked my way up to a project engineer, but here I have only worked 10 weeks in the past 8 months, in two different mechanical fitting jobs. Any and all advise is welcome.

Beoz

I did a search on Mechanical Fitters (wasn't sure what one was) and it appears most of these jobs are centered around mining and plant and seem to offered in WA or where mining and plant are located.

Could the downturn in mining and subsequent over supply of people due to the downturn have some bearing on your lack of continuous employment?

robstar487

Yes I couldn't agree more with you Beoz regarding work situation, I have tried many mining position, all with out success. so I don't really target these companies any more. If their are thousands of people with mining experience already out of work, a newbie don't have a chance. Most recruiters what you to have x y and z specific course completed already, along with inductions, which is a big chunk of cash....

I just think I have been taken back by the lack of work, as for many years Australia was though off as the land of opportunity. I suppose I have got our timing all wrong. I did my degree to improve my chance of obtaining work and to eventually progress in to a professional position... Still interested, if the recruiters actually do consider our degree as much as the Australian system.

Beoz

Its a cycle. You are currently experiencing the mining trough. Try NZ. Lots of milk plant opportunities over there right now.

robstar487

To be fair, wasn't really bothered about mining originally, as back in UK I worked for a company that designed, and manufactured oil and gas equipment. but I suppose with mining down, most have switched to other industries... I came with an open mind to try different types of engineering industries, but due to down turn, they can afford to be more selective... thanks for the heads up on KIWI country especially as my wife and kids and NZ citizens..

mikelincs

what they are saying with that is that aan OZ honours degree is AT LEAST equivalent to a UK one, it's probably classed as a higher level wich is why the qualification is recognised as equivalent in comparison in that way whereas the opposite way isn't true.

alipally

Some people have commented that they have never been asked for their certificates.

This, I think rather depends on what you read at University and whether or not it is necessary to have this knowledge as part of your profession.

I work in the Medical industry. They didn't just want my certificate. My employer actually contacted the university and asked for a transcript to confirm I'd covered the units and I had to use this information to get credit towards my Australian professional certification as prior learning....

I'm no spring chicken, I graduated in 1995, it took Birmingham almost a month to dig out my transcripts!!

If it says Hons on your cert, then you put it on your CV (resume is not used where I work, but, there are an awful lot of us foreigners here!) Your employer will decide what it means to them.

In my experience VISA applications bear little resemblance to job applications....My experience is that, particularly in large companies, International experience is appreciated.