Engineering Jobs in Melbourne
Mar 1st 2004, 2:21 pm
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 29
Engineering Jobs in Melbourne
My husband used to be a consulting engineer before he relocated to Melbourne after obtaining the PR and has found a job as a Technician in North of Victoria - hopefully temporarily as the pay sucks!
Unfortunately, he has been applying for at least a few hundred applications for the position of Electrical/Electronics Engineer in Melbourne since November last year and all of his applications have been rejected. I wonder why is it so difficult to get an engineering job in Melbourne? I thought engineers are quite highly in demand in Australia? Is any of you facing the same problem in getting jobs in Melbourne?
We are so confused now and are wondering if we had a mistake in migrating to Melbourne after all........?
Unfortunately, he has been applying for at least a few hundred applications for the position of Electrical/Electronics Engineer in Melbourne since November last year and all of his applications have been rejected. I wonder why is it so difficult to get an engineering job in Melbourne? I thought engineers are quite highly in demand in Australia? Is any of you facing the same problem in getting jobs in Melbourne?
We are so confused now and are wondering if we had a mistake in migrating to Melbourne after all........?
Mar 1st 2004, 2:32 pm
#2
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19
Hope you don't mind me asking, but how old is your husband?
We have just begun the PR application and Victoria was suggested to me by an agent as a good place to get a job in engineering. Looking on the net there does seem to be alot of work.
Good luck and I hope it all works out.
Stevjohna.
We have just begun the PR application and Victoria was suggested to me by an agent as a good place to get a job in engineering. Looking on the net there does seem to be alot of work.
Good luck and I hope it all works out.
Stevjohna.
Mar 1st 2004, 2:33 pm
#3
Sydney since Oct 04
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Engadine, NSW
Posts: 86
Re: Engineering Jobs in Melbourne
Hi Rydel,
Sorry to hear about your husbands job situation. We were also under the impression that Melbourne was a good place for getting jobs in electrical engineering. My partner is also an electrical electronic engineer and we were hoping to move to Melbourne because of the job market.... In fact, last night we heard from Victoria that we had been accepted onto the STNI programme using Tony's skills, which is supposed to mean that the Victorian government think it should be fairly easy to find work upon arrival. We might have to rethink where we head once we arrive.
What does your husband specialise in?
Good luck for the future!
Sorry to hear about your husbands job situation. We were also under the impression that Melbourne was a good place for getting jobs in electrical engineering. My partner is also an electrical electronic engineer and we were hoping to move to Melbourne because of the job market.... In fact, last night we heard from Victoria that we had been accepted onto the STNI programme using Tony's skills, which is supposed to mean that the Victorian government think it should be fairly easy to find work upon arrival. We might have to rethink where we head once we arrive.
What does your husband specialise in?
Good luck for the future!
Mar 1st 2004, 2:36 pm
#4
Not here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,621
Re: Engineering Jobs in Melbourne
Originally posted by rydel
My husband used to be a consulting engineer before he relocated to Melbourne after obtaining the PR and has found a job as a Technician in North of Victoria - hopefully temporarily as the pay sucks!
Unfortunately, he has been applying for at least a few hundred applications for the position of Electrical/Electronics Engineer in Melbourne since November last year and all of his applications have been rejected. I wonder why is it so difficult to get an engineering job in Melbourne? I thought engineers are quite highly in demand in Australia? Is any of you facing the same problem in getting jobs in Melbourne?
We are so confused now and are wondering if we had a mistake in migrating to Melbourne after all........?
My husband used to be a consulting engineer before he relocated to Melbourne after obtaining the PR and has found a job as a Technician in North of Victoria - hopefully temporarily as the pay sucks!
Unfortunately, he has been applying for at least a few hundred applications for the position of Electrical/Electronics Engineer in Melbourne since November last year and all of his applications have been rejected. I wonder why is it so difficult to get an engineering job in Melbourne? I thought engineers are quite highly in demand in Australia? Is any of you facing the same problem in getting jobs in Melbourne?
We are so confused now and are wondering if we had a mistake in migrating to Melbourne after all........?
Now if you were a civil or structural engineer...
Mar 1st 2004, 2:39 pm
#5
Not here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,621
TELSTRA TOTAL STAFF
History: Total Telstra staff peaked about 1986 at about 96,700 (includes about 2,200 OTC staff).
1994: A low was reported in early 1994 at 67,000 - this followed a major slash and burn exercise. Telstra found that some cuts had been excessive.
1995: prediction re Staff estimated 60000 by year 2000. 1995: In mid 1995 staff numbers rose to about 73,000. This rise was caused by a correction to the excessive cuts and by the roll out of Pay TV cable.
1996: Mar 96 the staff was 74605.
1996: Jun 30 - there were 76,522 staff.
1996: In late 1996, Telstra confirmed that staff would be cut by 22,000 over 3 years, in order to satisfy Government demands.
1997: Mar 31 - staff now at 67,364.
1997: Jun 30 - staff now at 66,100.
1998: Jun 30 - staff now at 57,234 1998: June 30 - In annual report Telstra say their (previously unannounced) policy is to reduce staff by 27,500 over 5 years beginning 1st Jul 96. So far 20,800 were sacked in the first 2 years. Another 7,000 are yet to be sacked.
1999: Dec 31 - staff at 51,667
2000: Dec 31 - staff at 47,075 - another 5,000 (11% staff cut is projected. The sale of NDC would see 6,000 more "let go".
STAFF SLASHINGS IN TELSTRA
Apr96-Mar97 Mar97-Mar98
Location Telstra C&C Telstra C&C
QLD Brisbane -91 -388 -923 -559
QLD Country -68 -278 -1313 -686
SA Adelaide -92 -247 -461 -129
SA Mt Gambier -13 -15 -22 -10
SA Murray Br -29 -19 -34 -20
SA North SA 8 -46 -64 -37
SA Pt Lincoln 8 -6 -18 1
TAS Hobart 98 58 -91 -65
TAS Burnie 8 9 -18 -8
TAS Devonport -3 -4 -15 -11
TAS Launceston 0 8 -23 -17
VIC Melbourne 706 420 -2668 -1291
VIC Ballarat 30 24 -100 -111
VIC Bendigo 82 79 -65 -22
VIC Central V 94 92 -103 -79
VIC Geelong 39 21 -55 -35
VIC Gippsland 104 84 -109 -64
VIC Nth W Vic 33 28 -31 -12
VIC Sth W Vic 142 121 -104 -67
WA Perth -266 -456 -435 -151
WA East WA -27 -26 -38 -21
WA Geraldton -7 -7 -9 -8
WA North WA -8 3 2 3
WA South WA -14 -23 -59 -31
Unknown -8379 -5531 -19 2
TOTAL -7390 -6652 -8749 -3503
Country Losses 422 260 -2069 -977
City Losses 562 -1381 -6681 -2523
Source: Senate hearings May 1998
History: Total Telstra staff peaked about 1986 at about 96,700 (includes about 2,200 OTC staff).
1994: A low was reported in early 1994 at 67,000 - this followed a major slash and burn exercise. Telstra found that some cuts had been excessive.
1995: prediction re Staff estimated 60000 by year 2000. 1995: In mid 1995 staff numbers rose to about 73,000. This rise was caused by a correction to the excessive cuts and by the roll out of Pay TV cable.
1996: Mar 96 the staff was 74605.
1996: Jun 30 - there were 76,522 staff.
1996: In late 1996, Telstra confirmed that staff would be cut by 22,000 over 3 years, in order to satisfy Government demands.
1997: Mar 31 - staff now at 67,364.
1997: Jun 30 - staff now at 66,100.
1998: Jun 30 - staff now at 57,234 1998: June 30 - In annual report Telstra say their (previously unannounced) policy is to reduce staff by 27,500 over 5 years beginning 1st Jul 96. So far 20,800 were sacked in the first 2 years. Another 7,000 are yet to be sacked.
1999: Dec 31 - staff at 51,667
2000: Dec 31 - staff at 47,075 - another 5,000 (11% staff cut is projected. The sale of NDC would see 6,000 more "let go".
STAFF SLASHINGS IN TELSTRA
Apr96-Mar97 Mar97-Mar98
Location Telstra C&C Telstra C&C
QLD Brisbane -91 -388 -923 -559
QLD Country -68 -278 -1313 -686
SA Adelaide -92 -247 -461 -129
SA Mt Gambier -13 -15 -22 -10
SA Murray Br -29 -19 -34 -20
SA North SA 8 -46 -64 -37
SA Pt Lincoln 8 -6 -18 1
TAS Hobart 98 58 -91 -65
TAS Burnie 8 9 -18 -8
TAS Devonport -3 -4 -15 -11
TAS Launceston 0 8 -23 -17
VIC Melbourne 706 420 -2668 -1291
VIC Ballarat 30 24 -100 -111
VIC Bendigo 82 79 -65 -22
VIC Central V 94 92 -103 -79
VIC Geelong 39 21 -55 -35
VIC Gippsland 104 84 -109 -64
VIC Nth W Vic 33 28 -31 -12
VIC Sth W Vic 142 121 -104 -67
WA Perth -266 -456 -435 -151
WA East WA -27 -26 -38 -21
WA Geraldton -7 -7 -9 -8
WA North WA -8 3 2 3
WA South WA -14 -23 -59 -31
Unknown -8379 -5531 -19 2
TOTAL -7390 -6652 -8749 -3503
Country Losses 422 260 -2069 -977
City Losses 562 -1381 -6681 -2523
Source: Senate hearings May 1998
Mar 1st 2004, 8:04 pm
#6
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Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Nappyland
Posts: 2,886
Are these Telstra stats all engineer-related?
Telstra are shedding staff in many depts, not least IT - thousands of IT jobs have gone to outsourcing partners like IBM. And they've also moved a load of their helpdesks to India....
Telstra are shedding staff in many depts, not least IT - thousands of IT jobs have gone to outsourcing partners like IBM. And they've also moved a load of their helpdesks to India....
Mar 1st 2004, 8:12 pm
#7
Not here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,621
Originally posted by HiddenPaw
Are these Telstra stats all engineer-related?
Telstra are shedding staff in many depts, not least IT - thousands of IT jobs have gone to outsourcing partners like IBM. And they've also moved a load of their helpdesks to India....
Are these Telstra stats all engineer-related?
Telstra are shedding staff in many depts, not least IT - thousands of IT jobs have gone to outsourcing partners like IBM. And they've also moved a load of their helpdesks to India....
Mar 1st 2004, 9:39 pm
#8
Proudly Deplorable
Joined: May 2003
Location: Alloha snack bar
Posts: 24,246
Re: Engineering Jobs in Melbourne
Originally posted by Florida_03
The same things have happened in the deregulation of the power generation and distribution industry.
Now if you were a civil or structural engineer...
The same things have happened in the deregulation of the power generation and distribution industry.
Now if you were a civil or structural engineer...
Mar 1st 2004, 11:12 pm
#9
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Melbourne since 31/12/03
Posts: 40
I'm an Electronic Engineer and have been in Melbourne just over 2 months. I've applied for loads of jobs, already have 2 rejections without interview and am waiting to hear back on the others.
Mar 1st 2004, 11:16 pm
#10
Banned
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,432
Originally posted by Burnsy74
I'm an Electronic Engineer and have been in Melbourne just over 2 months. I've applied for loads of jobs, already have 2 rejections without interview and am waiting to hear back on the others.
I'm an Electronic Engineer and have been in Melbourne just over 2 months. I've applied for loads of jobs, already have 2 rejections without interview and am waiting to hear back on the others.
Mar 2nd 2004, 12:53 am
#11
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 29
Originally posted by Burnsy74
I'm an Electronic Engineer and have been in Melbourne just over 2 months. I've applied for loads of jobs, already have 2 rejections without interview and am waiting to hear back on the others.
I'm an Electronic Engineer and have been in Melbourne just over 2 months. I've applied for loads of jobs, already have 2 rejections without interview and am waiting to hear back on the others.
Sounds like you are in a similar situation as my husband. He has been looking for jobs since November 03. Yeah there seems to be loads of engineering jobs on the internet, but when he writes to them, either there is no responce or rejections. We are kind of quite disheartened at this stage.
Hopefully you have better luck.
Good luck!
Mar 2nd 2004, 12:55 am
#12
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Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 29
Originally posted by stevejohna
Hope you don't mind me asking, but how old is your husband?
We have just begun the PR application and Victoria was suggested to me by an agent as a good place to get a job in engineering. Looking on the net there does seem to be alot of work.
Good luck and I hope it all works out.
Stevjohna.
Hope you don't mind me asking, but how old is your husband?
We have just begun the PR application and Victoria was suggested to me by an agent as a good place to get a job in engineering. Looking on the net there does seem to be alot of work.
Good luck and I hope it all works out.
Stevjohna.
My husband is 41. Probably age does matter after all.....
Good luck to you.
Mar 2nd 2004, 1:36 am
#13
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 198
You're not alone.
My hubby has been trying to get work as a Financial Controller since Nov, here in Melbourne. We were STNI sponsored as well.
He has currently got a temp contract for a month which will finish next week. He has applied for more than 100 jobs at all levels. He is not considered for junior jobs as they say he is too senior, but can't get a break into senior roles either. He has mail shot companies too.
The recruitment consultants say that he is one of the best on their books. Perhaps they are just saying that. They also say that Aussie employers are very narrow in their views when it comes to recruiting, and will not generally give someone a chance if they are outside the usual mode. Some recruitment agencies have been very hostile because we are English.
He has rejigged his CV so many times for specific jobs he has applied for. If things dont look up in the next few weeks, we are going home, as he has been contacted by a couple of companies there.
Good luck!
My hubby has been trying to get work as a Financial Controller since Nov, here in Melbourne. We were STNI sponsored as well.
He has currently got a temp contract for a month which will finish next week. He has applied for more than 100 jobs at all levels. He is not considered for junior jobs as they say he is too senior, but can't get a break into senior roles either. He has mail shot companies too.
The recruitment consultants say that he is one of the best on their books. Perhaps they are just saying that. They also say that Aussie employers are very narrow in their views when it comes to recruiting, and will not generally give someone a chance if they are outside the usual mode. Some recruitment agencies have been very hostile because we are English.
He has rejigged his CV so many times for specific jobs he has applied for. If things dont look up in the next few weeks, we are going home, as he has been contacted by a couple of companies there.
Good luck!
Mar 2nd 2004, 1:54 am
#14
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 29
Originally posted by suffolkdiva
You're not alone.
My hubby has been trying to get work as a Financial Controller since Nov, here in Melbourne. We were STNI sponsored as well.
He has currently got a temp contract for a month which will finish next week. He has applied for more than 100 jobs at all levels. He is not considered for junior jobs as they say he is too senior, but can't get a break into senior roles either. He has mail shot companies too.
The recruitment consultants say that he is one of the best on their books. Perhaps they are just saying that. They also say that Aussie employers are very narrow in their views when it comes to recruiting, and will not generally give someone a chance if they are outside the usual mode. Some recruitment agencies have been very hostile because we are English.
He has rejigged his CV so many times for specific jobs he has applied for. If things dont look up in the next few weeks, we are going home, as he has been contacted by a couple of companies there.
Good luck!
You're not alone.
My hubby has been trying to get work as a Financial Controller since Nov, here in Melbourne. We were STNI sponsored as well.
He has currently got a temp contract for a month which will finish next week. He has applied for more than 100 jobs at all levels. He is not considered for junior jobs as they say he is too senior, but can't get a break into senior roles either. He has mail shot companies too.
The recruitment consultants say that he is one of the best on their books. Perhaps they are just saying that. They also say that Aussie employers are very narrow in their views when it comes to recruiting, and will not generally give someone a chance if they are outside the usual mode. Some recruitment agencies have been very hostile because we are English.
He has rejigged his CV so many times for specific jobs he has applied for. If things dont look up in the next few weeks, we are going home, as he has been contacted by a couple of companies there.
Good luck!
I am sorry to hear about your plight. Things are quite bad down there isn't it? Have you thought of moving to Sydney instead? I think there could be more financial institutions or big MNCs over there rather than Melbourne. He may want to consider getting a "temporary" job as you find a more suitable one.
I think you are quite right about the employers' views on foreigners. Also, the recrutment agencies' ability in recruiting staff are also quite narrow. They seem to be looking for "exact" match and not willing to give a chance to people with the right experience. It is so exasperating!! As we are Singaporeans, I think we face even more discrimination.
My husband was able to secure a Technician job in 3 weeks, but that is not what he was looking for. This job is like only to keep him going until my children (13 yrs old and 12 yrs old) and I move to Melbourne end of this year or early next year. I think if by then he still cannot find anything worthwhile, we may want to shelve the idea of moving to Melbourne altogether.
Mar 2nd 2004, 3:52 am
#15
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Perth
Posts: 87
Engineering
Try Perth, Adelaide or Brisbane....
Resources sector (mining/oil & gas/etc) is booming esp in WA.
I am inst/eleccy designer and have been swamped with calls from mainly Perth & Brissy agencies since putting my CV out. It took 2 days to get fixed up - that was over 3 weeks ago and I still get at least one call a day off the agencies offering me work. Rates are similar to back home(Manchester rates). Engineering in Melbourne is dead....they have leathered all the resources down the Bass Strait so its left a lot of people to fight over the scraps, whereas WA (NW shelf)especially is booming at the moment.
It was mentioned to me by one agent that they were having great difficulty finding eleccy engineers in perth - he even asked me to see if any of the lads back home fancied a visa!!!
Resources sector (mining/oil & gas/etc) is booming esp in WA.
I am inst/eleccy designer and have been swamped with calls from mainly Perth & Brissy agencies since putting my CV out. It took 2 days to get fixed up - that was over 3 weeks ago and I still get at least one call a day off the agencies offering me work. Rates are similar to back home(Manchester rates). Engineering in Melbourne is dead....they have leathered all the resources down the Bass Strait so its left a lot of people to fight over the scraps, whereas WA (NW shelf)especially is booming at the moment.
It was mentioned to me by one agent that they were having great difficulty finding eleccy engineers in perth - he even asked me to see if any of the lads back home fancied a visa!!!