Aussies Called Home...

[khall64au]

Global hunt for 20,000 workers

Elizabeth Colman and Samantha Maiden

August 16, 2005

AUSTRALIA will launch the biggest global recruitment drive for skilled migrants since the "ten pound pom" campaign in the 1950s and 60s, as the Howard Government tries to attract 20,000 workers from across Europe and Asia to rescue key industries from labour shortages.

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs will next month begin a foray into the international jobs marketplace, with officials hold a series of expos in London, Berlin, Chennai and Amsterdam to spruik Australia's culture and lifestyle to foreign workers.

Tradespeople, engineers and doctors are believed to be among the most desperately needed. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australian Industry Group, the Business Council of Australia and the Australian Minerals and Mining Association have all been asked to nominate the occupations they consider the most in-demand.

The Immigration Department plans to advertise in overseas newspapers from September, inviting prospective skilled migrants to meet employers and state and federal government representatives at the series of expos as part of a $3million skills roadshow where officials will present options for migration under recently relaxed regulations.

Department acting deputy secretary Abul Rizvi told The Australian: "If you think about what we did in the 1950s and the impact that had on Australia, well we're doing it again."

But this time the Government hopes to tailor the campaign to meet specific labour shortages, Mr Rizvi said. "In the 1950s the immigration officers just went out and found these people, this time we are saying, you convince these employers that they want to employ you," he said.

"Australian employers being asked to help in the global marketplace -- the last thing we want is some country getting the jump on us."

After 1945, more than one million British citizens emigrated to Australia under various assisted migration schemes.

The department is considering hosting a further round of expos in 2006 in Bangkok, Seoul, Los Angeles and Manila.

The Queensland, South Australian, Western Australian and ACT governments have expressed the most interest in participating, with Victoria also publicising the events.

The campaign follows an announcement by the Howard Government earlier this year that skilled migration places in 2005-06 would be increased by 20,000, to combat Australia's skills shortages.

The 20,000-place increase is the biggest jump in the migration quota since the 1970s, with the Government offering migrants four-year employer or state-sponsored migration, with the option to stay on permanently.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry will seize the opportunity.

"This is a good move because it's finally co-ordinating this sort of activity across a range of industry bodies and (state and federal) governments too," the chamber's director of education and training, Steve Balzary, said.

"We're going out to companies right now across our membership to get them to identify not only which companies are going, but which occupations they're looking for and which numbers."

Matching skills and employers on the spot was part of the attraction of the department's overseas posts.

"Particularly in places like Chennai, where you get a lot of interest but don't necessarily get the right skills, the Government is helping us get the message out," Mr Balzary said.

Recruitment events in London will take place in September, while Amsterdam, Berlin and Chennai will host expos in October.

The department has also hosted local seminars, with an event in Brisbane in June this year, and officials are planning upcoming events in Melbourne and Perth.

Meanwhile, Labor leader Kim Beazley has urged action to encourage Australia's 900,000 expatriates working overseas to return home or forge closer investment and trade links.

Describing the expat workers as an "untapped resource", Mr Beazley also warned a greater focus on innovation, research and development was required if Australia was to compete against low wage economies in the region.

Speaking at the AIG's national forum in Canberra yesterday, Mr Beazley said simple measures could deliver significant results.

"We should work much harder to capitalise on their links to trade, investment and overseas cultures -- and perhaps encourage a few more to come home," Mr Beazley said yesterday.

"It's estimated there are up to 900,000 Australians working overseas on a permanent or long-term basis. That's almost 10 per cent of the Australian workforce." He said reforms such as a one-stop website for expats, an online register of Australians overseas and university/industry fellowships to encourage workers to return should be considered.

Greater collaboration between universities and industry groups was also required to foster innovation, he said.

"It gives us an edge in competitive global markets where we just can't compete against the low-wage economies in our region," he said.

"Giving priority to skills development also means more opportunities to learn trades at school. It means training Australians first, not turning them away from TAFE colleges, as the Howard Government has done to 270,000 Australians."

AIG chief executive Heather Ridout also suggested new reforms to skills training.

"The current traditional apprenticeship system was largely designed for another era, is hidebound in unnecessary regulation and complicated by overlapping state and federal responsibilities," she said.

[bdenner]

Little Johnny Rotten, the <deleted> wits who ran the unions 10 years ago can ALL accept the blame for this situation. But the ignorant <deleted> heads won't

Tried to employ and train apprentices then only to be inundated in red tape and BULLSH1T.

[Tornado]

Meanwhile, Labor leader Kim Beazley has urged action to encourage Australia's 900,000 expatriates working overseas to return home or forge closer investment and trade links.

Describing the expat workers as an "untapped resource", Mr Beazley also warned a greater focus on innovation, research and development was required if Australia was to compete against low wage economies in the region.

note to self: go back to Aus and pay 50% tax

Howard and Beazley - thats the best Australia has to offer. Two out of touch idiots!

Beazley cant even look after himself, that fat joke.

Howard, well thats a 10 page post

Stick it in your ear Beazley, I aint coming back and Id bet the other 900,000 or so wont either.

[AsiaWolfie]

isnt this Forum called THAIvisa ?????

[LindsayBKK]

isnt this Forum called THAIvisa ?????   

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The department is considering hosting a further round of expos in 2006 in Bangkok, Seoul, Los Angeles and Manila.

Meanwhile, Labor leader Kim Beazley has urged action to encourage Australia's 900,000 expatriates working overseas to return home or forge closer investment and trade links.

Describing the expat workers as an "untapped resource", Mr Beazley also warned a greater focus on innovation, research and development was required if Australia was to compete against low wage economies in the region.

"We should work much harder to capitalise on their links to trade, investment and overseas cultures -- and perhaps encourage a few more to come home," Mr Beazley said yesterday.

"It's estimated there are up to 900,000 Australians working overseas on a permanent or long-term basis. That's almost 10 per cent of the Australian workforce." He said reforms such as a one-stop website for expats, an online register of Australians overseas and university/industry fellowships to encourage workers to return should be considered.

[Jai Dee]

Meanwhile, Labor leader Kim Beazley has urged action to encourage Australia's 900,000 expatriates working overseas to return home or forge closer investment and trade links.

Describing the expat workers as an "untapped resource", Mr Beazley also warned a greater focus on innovation, research and development was required if Australia was to compete against low wage economies in the region.

note to self: go back to Aus and pay 50% tax

Howard and Beazley - thats the best Australia has to offer. Two out of touch idiots!

Beazley cant even look after himself, that fat joke.

Howard, well thats a 10 page post

Stick it in your ear Beazley, I aint coming back and Id bet the other 900,000 or so wont either.

I'm with you on this one Torny.

As an engineer I'm one of the short-listed skills, but there's no way I'd return for 50% tax. What sort of incentives have they offered for us to return? Sweet &lt;deleted&gt; All.

Besides, life is good here in LOS.

[lampard10]

They should be able to get eleven new cricketers from 20,000 applicants

[Thomas_Merton]

They should be able to get eleven new cricketers from 20,000 applicants

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think they are also afraid there are at least 11 who will soon be considering defection as an alternative to the warm welcoming they will receive on their return to the land of Oz.

[Jai Dee]

<crap snipped>

<even more crap snipped>

Geez you guys will do anything to highjack a thread and steer it towards cricket.

Boring...

[bdenner]

note to self: go back to Aus and pay 50% tax 

Howard and Beazley - thats the best Australia has to offer. Two out of touch idiots!

Beazley cant even look after himself, that fat joke.

Howard, well thats a 10 page post 

Stick it in your ear Beazley, I aint coming back and Id bet the other 900,000 or so wont either.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yep, I'm not going back either. They have lost any contribution I could have made as well as the few apprentices I could have helped down a career path over the last 10 to 15 years, mentioned above.

IMO Aus is now heading down the same rocky road as the UK and it’s their own stupid fault. See the nationality of all those caterers on strike at Heathrow? --- Not a real POM in sight anywhere

[Thomas_Merton]

<crap snipped>

<even more crap snipped>

Geez you guys will do anything to highjack a thread and steer it towards cricket.

Boring...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You can't be a real Aussie.

I bet you'll be telling us soon that Aussies don't play cricket.

And you never know - we might believe you.

[lampard10]

<crap snipped>

<even more crap snipped>

Geez you guys will do anything to highjack a thread and steer it towards cricket.

Boring...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No; anything to brighten up the day, with a bit of fun. Come off it Jai Dee. Since when have you been so serious. I always had you taped for the " King of the Jokers" When we was on the receiving end there were hi-jacks appearing everywhere from the Ozzie crew. Lighten up.

[khall64au]

<crap snipped>

<even more crap snipped>

Geez you guys will do anything to highjack a thread and steer it towards cricket.

Boring...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You can't be a real Aussie.

I bet you'll be telling us soon that Aussies don't play cricket.

And you never know - we might believe you.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I DON'T PLAY CRICKET (Don't watch it either ) Does that mean I'm not a real Aussie??

[lampard10]

<crap snipped>

<even more crap snipped>

Geez you guys will do anything to highjack a thread and steer it towards cricket.

Boring...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You can't be a real Aussie.

I bet you'll be telling us soon that Aussies don't play cricket.

And you never know - we might believe you.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I DON'T PLAY CRICKET (Don't watch it either ) Does that mean I'm not a real Aussie??

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[khall64au]

<crap snipped>

<even more crap snipped>

Geez you guys will do anything to highjack a thread and steer it towards cricket.

Boring...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No; anything to brighten up the day, with a bit of fun. Come off it Jai Dee. Since when have you been so serious. I always had you taped for the " King of the Jokers" When we was on the receiving end there were hi-jacks appearing everywhere from the Ozzie crew. Lighten up.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Jai Dee]

You can't be a real Aussie.

I bet you'll be telling us soon that Aussies don't play cricket.

And you never know - we might believe you.

No; anything to brighten up the day, with a bit of fun. Come off it Jai Dee. Since when have you been so serious. I always had you taped for the " King of the Jokers" When we was on the receiving end there were hi-jacks appearing everywhere from the Ozzie crew. Lighten up.

Got a few bites!

Just a bit of Aussie humour there guys!

/Edit - and Lampshade, you've met me before remember...? I'm about as lightweight as you can get!

Thanks for the compliment BTW.

I don't take things too seriously, but like your signature, I enjoy a wind-up evry now and then too.

Edited August 16, 2005 by Jai Dee

[Thomas_Merton]

<crap snipped>

<even more crap snipped>

Geez you guys will do anything to highjack a thread and steer it towards cricket.

Boring...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You can't be a real Aussie.

I bet you'll be telling us soon that Aussies don't play cricket.

And you never know - we might believe you.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I DON'T PLAY CRICKET (Don't watch it either ) Does that mean I'm not a real Aussie??

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've never met an Aussie with this sickness.

Does it have a name like myxomatosis?

[khall64au]

That's a rabbit disease ... right?

[khall64au]

SO.... Getting back On Topic.

It will be interesting to see what types of "packages" are offered to new immigrants who fit the skills bill... and whether or not the roaming expats will be offered any sort of incentive to return to the "Lucky Country"

[lampard10]

[ and Lampshade, you've met me before remember...?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Of course I remember; At Leiths party............................I will never forget that, cause from both your postings you looked like I imagined Leith to be, and he looked like I imagined you to be.

[Jai Dee]

[ and Lampshade, you've met me before remember...?

Of course I remember; At Leiths party............................I will never forget that, cause from both your postings you looked like I imagined Leith to be, and he looked like I imagined you to be.

You mean to say that from Leith's postings he should appear more "mature" and from my posting I should appear less "mature"?

[tuky]

[ and Lampshade, you've met me before remember...?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Of course I remember; At Leiths party............................I will never forget that, cause from both your postings you looked like I imagined Leith to be, and he looked like I imagined you to be.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You mean to say that from Leith's postings he should appear more "mature" and from my posting I should appear less "mature"?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hang on, who is calling anyone "mature"?

Lets stick with "old fart" and "strapping young man"

However, lets all agreed that we are both around the same height

[Pink Mist]

That's a rabbit disease ... right? 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

if he spelt it correctly it would be

[meelousee]

Little Johnny Rotten, the &lt;deleted&gt; wits who ran the unions 10 years ago can ALL accept the blame for this situation. But the ignorant &lt;deleted&gt; heads won't

Tried to employ and train apprentices then only to be inundated in red tape and BULLSH1T.    

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Years ago I was sent from Brunei to the Bass Straights to work on a Reading & Bates rig that had a full strike on, of all the workers. We went from Aircraft to Chopper directly to the rig and back.

The strike was because:

1. No steaks were served on coffee breaks

2. The coffee cups had no handles

No offence but I think the Unions in Auzzie has all but ruined the employment climate, now Taxes, Taxes and union fees on the union fee?

I am an American but I had to pay both Taxes and union fees even though I was not in that union. My normal pay had to be jacked up to near triple so I would get the same pay I made in Brunei.

To me that is a problem maybe the cause?

[tuky]

It is a huge problem meelousee.

After having read this article and distributing it amongst my Aussie compatriates here at my work place about 95% said they would go back to Aust. if they could earn the same money. The other 5% have strong attachments to Thailand/Phlip etc and would not go back anyway.

It seems the Gov't has been fiddling with this problem for years without making the adjustments for the long term.

As an example, we were having some modules built in Henderson (just south of Freo) to be shipped up to Singas for installation on an Aussie FPSO (FPSO built in Korea, topsides in Singas) however with the union delays the owners decided it was easier to ship then incomplete and finish them in Singas.

Needless to say, that particular (Aussie) company have not built anything in Aust. since.

Everyday I get 15+ different positions vacant in my email all from Perth and they are all asking for expats.

It is worth working in Aust as an expat, but if you hold an Aussie passport forget it.

[lampard10]

[ and Lampshade, you've met me before remember...?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Of course I remember; At Leiths party............................I will never forget that, cause from both your postings you looked like I imagined Leith to be, and he looked like I imagined you to be.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You mean to say that from Leith's postings he should appear more "mature" and from my posting I should appear less "mature"?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

'bout sums it up! I just thought you'd be a lot younger. I only put you about 50

[Jai Dee]

Hang on, who is calling anyone "mature"? 

Lets stick with "old fart" and "strapping young man" 

However, lets all agreed that we are both around the same height 

'bout sums it up!  I just thought you'd be a lot younger. I only put you about 50

You're both wind-up merchants and I won't bite!!!

Anyway... someone told me once that you're only as young as the woman you feel...

[coldcrush]

Global hunt for 20,000 workers

Elizabeth Colman and Samantha Maiden

August 16, 2005

AUSTRALIA will launch the biggest global recruitment drive for skilled migrants since the "ten pound pom" campaign in the 1950s and 60s, as the Howard Government tries to attract 20,000 workers from across Europe and Asia to rescue key industries from labour shortages.

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs will next month begin a foray into the international jobs marketplace, with officials hold a series of expos in London, Berlin, Chennai and Amsterdam to spruik Australia's culture and lifestyle to foreign workers.

Tradespeople, engineers and doctors are believed to be among the most desperately needed. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australian Industry Group, the Business Council of Australia and the Australian Minerals and Mining Association have all been asked to nominate the occupations they consider the most in-demand.

The Immigration Department plans to advertise in overseas newspapers from September, inviting prospective skilled migrants to meet employers and state and federal government representatives at the series of expos as part of a $3million skills roadshow where officials will present options for migration under recently relaxed regulations.

Department acting deputy secretary Abul Rizvi told The Australian: "If you think about what we did in the 1950s and the impact that had on Australia, well we're doing it again."

But this time the Government hopes to tailor the campaign to meet specific labour shortages, Mr Rizvi said. "In the 1950s the immigration officers just went out and found these people, this time we are saying, you convince these employers that they want to employ you," he said.

"Australian employers being asked to help in the global marketplace -- the last thing we want is some country getting the jump on us."

After 1945, more than one million British citizens emigrated to Australia under various assisted migration schemes.

The department is considering hosting a further round of expos in 2006 in Bangkok, Seoul, Los Angeles and Manila.

The Queensland, South Australian, Western Australian and ACT governments have expressed the most interest in participating, with Victoria also publicising the events.

The campaign follows an announcement by the Howard Government earlier this year that skilled migration places in 2005-06 would be increased by 20,000, to combat Australia's skills shortages.

The 20,000-place increase is the biggest jump in the migration quota since the 1970s, with the Government offering migrants four-year employer or state-sponsored migration, with the option to stay on permanently.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry will seize the opportunity.

"This is a good move because it's finally co-ordinating this sort of activity across a range of industry bodies and (state and federal) governments too," the chamber's director of education and training, Steve Balzary, said.

"We're going out to companies right now across our membership to get them to identify not only which companies are going, but which occupations they're looking for and which numbers."

Matching skills and employers on the spot was part of the attraction of the department's overseas posts.

"Particularly in places like Chennai, where you get a lot of interest but don't necessarily get the right skills, the Government is helping us get the message out," Mr Balzary said.

Recruitment events in London will take place in September, while Amsterdam, Berlin and Chennai will host expos in October.

The department has also hosted local seminars, with an event in Brisbane in June this year, and officials are planning upcoming events in Melbourne and Perth.

Meanwhile, Labor leader Kim Beazley has urged action to encourage Australia's 900,000 expatriates working overseas to return home or forge closer investment and trade links.

Describing the expat workers as an "untapped resource", Mr Beazley also warned a greater focus on innovation, research and development was required if Australia was to compete against low wage economies in the region.

Speaking at the AIG's national forum in Canberra yesterday, Mr Beazley said simple measures could deliver significant results.

"We should work much harder to capitalise on their links to trade, investment and overseas cultures -- and perhaps encourage a few more to come home," Mr Beazley said yesterday.

"It's estimated there are up to 900,000 Australians working overseas on a permanent or long-term basis. That's almost 10 per cent of the Australian workforce." He said reforms such as a one-stop website for expats, an online register of Australians overseas and university/industry fellowships to encourage workers to return should be considered.

Greater collaboration between universities and industry groups was also required to foster innovation, he said.

"It gives us an edge in competitive global markets where we just can't compete against the low-wage economies in our region," he said.

"Giving priority to skills development also means more opportunities to learn trades at school. It means training Australians first, not turning them away from TAFE colleges, as the Howard Government has done to 270,000 Australians."

AIG chief executive Heather Ridout also suggested new reforms to skills training.

"The current traditional apprenticeship system was largely designed for another era, is hidebound in unnecessary regulation and complicated by overlapping state and federal responsibilities," she said.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Maybe they should look in the outback and train the people whos country it actually is! Just a suggestion

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3987885.stm

Edited August 17, 2005 by lopburiguy

[Pink Mist]

thats the best one I ever heard Lop