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Occupational Health & Safety

Occupational Health & Safety

Old Jul 27th 2008, 5:36 pm
  #1  
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Default Occupational Health & Safety

Hi All

Not sure if this is the right section of the forum to post this, if not please let me know.

Im currently using the net to search for jobs, obviously its going to be some months before we move, but I am keen to try and get a job before we move. (theres a positive attitude that we are going to be accepted )

Its Rob (my hubby) who is the primary on our application and being an electrician this is why we have scored 175 points (amongst other things), Rob is the desireable one of our partnership for NZ.

Ive been told by the visa bureau that I wont have any trouble getting a job, but Im a bit sceptical (thats me).

In the UK, I have many desireable qualifications and degree level (NVQ5 - not recognised by NZ) with a wealth of experience in predominently Agriculture, Manufacturing, Construction and 2 years in Social Care Safety.

I have been a Health, Safety and Business Risk Consultant for 2 years doing the usual, policies, risk assessments, auditing, advising and liaison between organisations and the HSE (Government body). In addition to this I teach for my local and a neighbouring technical colleges and local apprentice school in all health and safety topics. My specialism is implementing Behavioural Safety Schemes into organisations, which is basically about trying to remove all the (bloomin') beuracracy out of health and safety (not that all of it can go), and utilise something that seems no longer to exist "common sense".

Im quite frightened that my skills and qualifications wont mean diddly squat in NZ, and that I will struggle to get a job?

I guess it could be its just the unknown, and like many good women I am a bit of a control freak.

Can anyone give me a bit of reasurance and also guide me into the direction of any good employment agencies that I could register with.
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Old Jul 27th 2008, 8:28 pm
  #2  
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Default Re: Occupational Health & Safety

Have no help sorry,but thought I would keep an eye on this as my OH has just finished a degree in Occupational H&S,and works as an H&S officer for local council. Have been wondering about likely hood of getting a job in NZ. I am PA as I am a nurse.

Phyllis
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Old Jul 28th 2008, 12:05 am
  #3  
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Default Re: Occupational Health & Safety

In my experience (limited as it is) there are plenty of Govt. agencies dealing with Occupational Safety & Health "issues" but they are not particularly pro-active on the safety management front, more reactive when something goes wrong.

Accordingly employers are themselves reactive to this and so HS&E is not high on many companies agendas and not even on the radar in some places.
Getting a job with the DoL (the main Policeman for OSH issues) before you leave the UK will be hard as they are looking for people with NZ experience, I know I've been there and spoken to some senior people in OSH about that after event - that was once *they* wanted to know whether I could work for them on a contract basis to advise on the investigation of large incidents for OSH and in particular HASNO compliance.

Don't be frightened that your skills/quals/experience will mean little in NZ, just live with it as it is very likely to be the case, certainly until you are accepted by your peers/management (and that does not always happen) - this happens to many many Pomms, especially professionals, that's life as a new migrant in NZ! You should get over it and live with the new way of working, just like we do with the driving "standards" in Auckland.

If you are in the market for tips/advice on how to survive here then the best things I was told by others who have been through the system were:

Whatever you do when you arrive don't say "we did it such and such a way in the UK".

Learn to adapt, bite your tongue and absorb as much of the "Kiwi way" as possible. Get teh contacts, the networks and experience then decide what to do with all that manna.

That's how to survive as an "overqualified" new immigrant.

Sorry for the harsh words but I've learned those lessons the tough way.

In spite of all this negativity NZ is a great place to live and if you get the work issues sorted - in my case I had to start my own company to do that, then its a land of opportunity.

My advice is be positive, patient and persistent. Good luck!
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