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Thread: Water engineer

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    1

    Default Water engineer

    Hi guys.

    It would be nice if you could help me with my questions because I could not find adequate information on the internet.

    1) Personal introduction and qualifications

    I got a German "Diplomingenieur" degree in environmental engineering (or comparable). This "Diplomingenieur" title is equivalent to a BSc (Hons) degree, I think. The subject is called "water and soil management". I am specialised in water and wastewater treatment (especially the design part but also some other qualification in the water field). My knowledge of civil engineering are just basic (materials science, statics).

    I worked in India for a NGO for 10 month (planning and designing of a decentralised wastewater treatment plant). During this work period I also finalised my thesis. After that I worked in a "regular" job for about 1.5 years in the water treatment field.

    2) Skill shortage list
    I found this (http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rd...cember2011.pdf) on the internet. Over there environmental engineering is listed. It seems that no work experience is needed.

    I scored 105 point over here (http://www.immigration.govt.nz/pointsindicator/). I have to admit that I selected 2 years of work experience (while my post graduate work experience is less).

    3) Questions
    a) Is my degree acceptable as described in the skill shortage list (environmental engineering)?
    b) Is it correct that I do not need work experience in my field?
    c) Is it OK to use my work experience in India additionally to my post graduate job? In my opinion I did real work over there (additionally to my thesis).
    c) Do I have chances on the job market if I would move to New Zealand (as a foreigner with not so much work experience)? I read on different job search engines that long term experience is required for most jobs in my field.
    d) Is it better to move to New Zealand and apply for jobs first and then apply for a visa? Or is it better to apply for a visa first and then go to New Zealand? This is quite critical because if I apply for a visa first I get less point. If I go to NZ first it may be difficult to convince the employer.
    e) Are 105 pts enough to have realistic chances to get a visa?
    f) My English is quite good but not perfect (not mother tongue). "Excellent communication skills" is a requirement by the employers quite often. Do you think that this is a big factor for employers?

    4) Thanks for reading and answering
    If you got to this point I am glad because the post is somewhat long. I would be very very grateful if you could answer my questions.
    If you would like to offer me a job (or can give me some addditional hints) you are also most welcome.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Ōtepoti, Aotearoa
    Posts
    2,736

    Default

    Hi there,

    quite some time ago I was in a similar situation to you now. So I respond more on the basis of my experience than on anything else.



    Quote Originally Posted by limpsor View Post
    1) ... This "Diplomingenieur" title is equivalent to a BSc (Hons) degree, I think.
    Kind of yes, however you still need to fulfill the criteria as outlined in the LTSSL. And there it is not done with 'just' having the equivalent. You really need the formal recognition.



    Quote Originally Posted by limpsor View Post
    2) ...It seems that no work experience is needed... I have to admit that I selected 2 years of work experience.
    I agree on the first; on the second you have to have the work experience in a similar job market.



    Quote Originally Posted by limpsor View Post
    3)c) Do I have chances on the job market if I would move to New Zealand (as a foreigner with not so much work experience)? I read on different job search engines that long term experience is required for most jobs in my field.
    Generally some form of experience is required yes; the more you might be sought after the lesser they will request...



    Quote Originally Posted by limpsor View Post
    3)d) Is it better to move to New Zealand and apply for jobs first and then apply for a visa? Or is it better to apply for a visa first and then go to New Zealand? This is quite critical because if I apply for a visa first I get less point. If I go to NZ first it may be difficult to convince the employer.
    Come here on a recce and try landing a job; perhaps go at first for a work visa and later for SMC



    Quote Originally Posted by limpsor View Post
    f) My English is quite good but not perfect (not mother tongue). "Excellent communication skills" is a requirement by the employers quite often. Do you think that this is a big factor for employers?
    Generally it is quite important, yes. IELTS level 7 should be sufficient I would think. If you used English in India that would be beneficial.




    Have you visited yet our IPENZ website; I deem it quite helpful.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    37,824

    Default

    Hello and welcome.

    I hope there will be some people knowledgeable in your area of work along to comment later.

    3b. There is no mention of a requirement for work experience in the listing.

    3c. Who were the organizers of the NGO? This may have quite a large bearing on whether or not your experience in India would count as being in a comparable labour market. http://glossary.immigration.govt.nz/...experience.htm Your current situation (working or not) could mean that this matters quite a lot.

    Then, if your Diplomingenieur does indeed turn out to get a Level 7, like a bachelor's degree, maybe it does not matter that the Indian experience is not after your master's qualification (because it was after the bachelor's degree). If. But notice, the work experience has to be 30 hours per week minimum, in order to count as full-time. And it is likely that both the work experience and the master's qualification would be investigated very thoroughly as they were done simultaneously. Have you looked at the list on the INZ website of qualifications exempt from assessment?

    3f. Your written English comes over well. How do you get on when talking to English speakers face to face? Do they understand you, and do you normally understand them without hesitation? Have you looked on e.g. YouTube to try listening to NZ voices? NZ is an environment where very few people speak European languages, and all the effort will need to be on your side. If you got to the stage of an interview, and your English caused any lack of understanding in either direction, it would be enough to lose you any chance.

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