Gates opened to skilled migrants

By ANGELA GREGORY

Entry to New Zealand for skilled workers will become easier from December with changes to the points system that will benefit those most urgently needed here.

Immigration Minister Paul Swain yesterday announced changes to the skilled migrant category by which potential migrants can assess their likelihood of entry to New Zealand.

Mr Swain said the "enhancements" would improve the system which had been too rigid at a time labour and skills shortages were increasing.

The Government had aimed to allow 20,000 people (successful applicants including their families) into the country under the skilled migrant category in the current financial year ending June 2005.

But just 3055 people had so far been given the green light.

Mr Swain said given a high level of interest by potential migrants he was confident the changes, effective from December 1, would see the target reached.

Changes included increasing the level of points allocated to skilled employment, qualifications and work experience in areas of absolute skill shortage such as automotive mechanics, radiologists, electricians and speech therapists.

The definition of skilled employment would be expanded to include police and corrections officers and drainlayers.

A broader range of qualifications that met industry needs would be recognised, such as those for roofers and electrical service technicians, and points would be given for having close family support in New Zealand.

Moves would also be made to grant permanent residence upfront where applicants had high potential to contribute and settle.

Mr Swain said in order to make sure the enhancements were effective, an onshore and offshore recruitment campaign would be boosted and a major staff training programme was under way that would help speed up processing.

Already the minimum points required to be considered for selection in New Zealand had been brought down from 195 when the skilled migrant category was introduced in February to 100 in September.

Mr Swain said the points would not now be lowered any further as it was important to maintain quality.

He emphasised the changes would not be at a cost of jobs for New Zealanders. While moves were under way to upskill New Zealanders they were not yet able to catch up with the urgent needs.

A labour shortage was already the main constraint on output for one third of firms, Mr Swain said.

New Zealand Immigration Institute chairman David Cooper said the changes were positive and healthy.

"A number are what we had been discussing several months ago with the minister as there were obstacles to the policy working well."

Problems had included the narrow list of skilled employment which saw some people declined and some trade qualifications not recognised.


Mr Cooper was pleased to see support, as opposed to sponsorship, from family already resident in New Zealand was now being recognised for the first time as it increased migrants' chances of settling well.

Encouraging settlers

Extra five points for urgently needed skills.

Greater recognition of experience.

Highly employable applicants like nurses don't need job offer.

Broader range of qualifications recognised.

Close family support valued.

Self-employed people encouraged to apply.