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WORK EXPERIENCE NOT ENOUGH By Lance Fee,Director Live Downunder UK IN A move that came completely unannounced, the body that assess the skills of the majority of overseas tradespeople advised that they would no longer accept applications from those that relied on on-the-job training for the majority of their experience. Trades Recognition Australia (TRA), on September 4, advised that, until further notice, they would not be assessing anyone who relied on work experience only for the training towards a trade occupation. Not only did they advise that this decision would stand until further notice, but that any application received by them that had not been assessed which fell into this group would be returned. The decision was later attributed by TRA to the large number of false or fraudulent documentation that had been received in support of applications that came from this group. In the same brief explanation, TRA advised that they would, at some future date, again look at these applications, but there would be much stricter requirements attached to the evidence requirements for this group. The timing of the decision could not have come at a worse time - Migration Regulation changes came into effect from September 1 and these were accompanied by a change for the assessment body and process for a number of trade skills. As a result, many UK applicants tried to lodge their trade assessments prior to September 1. It is most of these that TRA have indicated they will return if they fall into the 'on-the-job training' group. The Migration Institute of Australia, the body that represent the majority of migration agents dealing with Australia, have taken the matter up with the Minister for Immigration and have indicated they will consider taking legal action against TRA in respect to their decision to return applications lodged with them at the time of their announcement. The legal advice given to the MIA was that, those who have had the applications returned, is to wait before cashing the cheques made out to the TRA (Collector of Public Monies), until the issue is resolved. Those who have used agencies to lodge their application with TRA, should consult with their agent. This decision is one that will have a marked effect on the number of eligible tradespeople who could apply under the skilled stream from the UK, which is one of the main sources for trade skills to Australia. The decision has not really been publicised widely in Australia at the present time and, with the current skill crisis experienced by employers, it is like adding petrol to a raging fire. There may well be a case for more stringent checking of the evidence in these cases, but there can be no justification in such sudden action which not only disenfranchises those that have made an application in good faith with every prospect of obtaining a visa, nor those that are genuine applicants who may well have claim to better trade skills than many who have gone down the formal training pathway. |
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