Reylan

Hi There, Does anyone have any up to date information about the prospects for a Carpenter in New Zealand? We are at present gathering our documentation for our ITA and trying to find out as much information as we can. Thank you for anyhelp/advice/information.

chippy64

My OH is a carpenter. We are (fingers crossed!!!!!!!!) hoping to get our stickers in our passports after sooooo long!
There is a downturn in NZ similar to here and where carpenters were desperately needed, that seems to no longer be the case.
We travelled over two years ago and started the process 18 months ago. After sending in our passports for the coveted blue stickers, the job offer was withdrawn and we were given 3 weeks to come up with a new offer or visa was going to be refused. We emailed so many companies and eventually the original employment agency who found our first job, found another for us. NZIS have said the company is acceptable to them and are now waiting for signed confirmation of job offer before they will proceed.
Be prepared to jump through hoops and spend a vast amount of time and money in the process. However, if it's what you definitely want, then you must stick with it.
Our application has taken so long that the original family of me, OH, daughter and two sons emigrating, has shrunk to me, OH and youngest son going (daughter now a mum herself, so can't come and eldest son has just applied to join RAF). I can't even begin to think what it will be like leaving them but have promised to give it at least two years and already saving for them to visit us!
No-one said it would be easy!!

Reylan

Hi There

Thanks for this. I am sorry that the original job offer was withdrawn that must have been really disappointing. We are praying that we get a PR rather than a WTR so that we can both look for jobs but realise that we have to plan for any contingency!

Do you know of any agencies we could use when the time comes? We've come so far with this it's not time to give up yet and, if more effort is what's required, then so be it.

It is going to be different for us as we have no children to leave behind, but just think, they'll have somewhere fantastic to come on holiday!

You know whet they say - nothing worth having is ever going to be easy.

chippy64

We have used Canstaff, with bases in Christchurch, Ashburton and Timaru all on the South Island. They do like you to go over there and it is a bit of a Catch 22 - they can't really help you until you have an idea of when you can start work but you need to have your visa to do that and it's more difficult to get your visa without a visa!
Anyway, best of luck!

Reylan

We have been looking at areas in the Bay of Plenty. Does anyone know how the employment situation is out that way - in particular for Carpenters?

BEVS

The downturn is nationwide. Construction has slowed to less than a crawl all over New Zealand & many tradies are scratching around for work. My husband, a plumber, is on short working hours at present . We are top of the South Island , Nelson.

If this were us right now, I'd forget about choosing areas to live and simply go where the job offer came in.

I'm going to move this thread into the main forum for you as I feel you may get more feedback in there. That way those up on the North Island may be able to let you know the work situation for a tradesperson as they see it.

P2L

Sorry to be a party pooper, but you do realise that Carpenter has been removed from the Immediate Skills Shortage list

Removal of occupations from the ISSL does not mean employers cannot recruit migrants in those occupations. An employer can demonstrate genuine attempts to recruit a suitable New Zealander, as is the process with all other occupations. If, after the labour market is tested, Immigration New Zealand is satisfied no suitable New Zealanders are available in that location then temporary work permits will still be granted.

Occupations which were identified as readily trainable and those for which New Zealanders may be available were prioritised for review, to ensure opportunities for New Zealanders.

As it says, it doesn't necessarily mean that you wont get PR but your potential employer will have to demonstarte that there is NO Kiwi capable of doing the job first, which in a land where they learn to hammer a nail into a plank before they can talk, may prove difficult.

I would 'test the waters' with a few phone calls to companies in NZ before you spend your hard earned cash on submitting an EOi or the considerable expense involved with an ITA

Hope that helps

debz12

Hi there
We have been in Christchurch for 11 years, my husband is also a carpenter and this is the worst we have ever seen it. He is currently on short hours, in fact the whole workshop is until work picks up again. A few staff have been laid off too and a few businesses have gone under. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, hopefully it will pick up soon

Reylan

Thanks to everyone who replied. Although prospects don't look brilliant at the moment and Carpenter has come off the list (luckily we got the EOI pulled and our ITA before this - so still got the points) we are committed to this application and very keen to get our visa. I have already contacted companies in NZ and we are prepared to look at any area offering employment.

Thanks again and any more news would be gratefully accepted. Keep your fingers crossed for us with out medicals next week and subsequent ITA submission!

BOP

Things are on the up workwise in the Bay of Plenty, with a number of big contracts due to start towards the end of the year and in the new year

BEVS

Fingers crossed.

debz12

Good for you, it seems like you are really determined to come over and make a go of it
Fingers crossed and the best of luck