Hello,
I am hoping to claim 10 points for the SMC visa for having a 'qualification in an area of absolute skills shortage'.
I have an MSc (so level 9 in NZ terms) in Environmental Technology (specialising in Water Management), with a 16 month work placement for a water company in their innovation team after my degree. Before that I did my bachelors degree I Environmental Geography, so NZ level 7 equivalent.
So therefore, do I meet the requirements under Environmental Research Scientist on the LTSSL, which are as follows: "One of the following qualifications: - Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (Environmental Engineering) (NZQF Level 8) - A bachelor's degree at NZQF Level 7, or a higher qualification with the minimum equivalent of 360 credits, which includes the requirements of a New Zealand major in the focus areas of environmental studies or environmental management AND a minimum of one year’s relevant post-qualification work experience"
The wording for the above has slightly confused me. Perhaps I'm reading too much into it. (First part re engineering doesn't apply to me, as I don't have that). Is it saying "a bachelors degree at NZQF Level 7" completely separate to the following part which is "OR a higher qualification with the min equivalent of 360 credits, which includes the requirements of a major in the focus area etc....AND a min of 1 years post qual work experience"........OR are they saying the NZQF Level 7 part also has to have the requirements of a New Zealand major in the focus areas of environmental studies or environmental management AND a min of one year relevant post qual work experience?
Secondly, come to think of it, I don't even know what they really mean by "the requirements of a New Zealand major in the focus areas of environmental studies / management.... My interpretation of that is that if my degree modules / focus areas matches up with an equivalent degree focus / modules undertaken in a new Zealand degree, then that's a tick in the box? Any thoughts?
if I cannot claim those 10 points, I will sit on 170, so I will still be eligible to go through into the 'pool', but I suppose they look at it as 'the more points above the minimum 160 you have, the better'...
Many thanks for any clarification. I haven't a clue who I would go to at INZ for this help, and I don't want to add the points to my SMC application if its not completely true and correct.
Cheers!