Expo to lure skilled British workers down under
Thursday, 13 March 2008
Skilled British workers will be enticed to live and work in Australia at a two-day expo in London this weekend (March 15-16).
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said the 2008 Australia Needs Skills expo will link Australian employers with prospective skilled migrants who are mainly young, highly qualified, English speaking people.
'Australia is this year seeking more than 100 000 people in its skilled migration stream including accountants, engineers, health professionals and trades people,' Senator Evans said.
'There are skilled vacancies in all states and territories in more than 90 occupations.'
More than 4000 prospective skilled migrant workers are registered to meet Australian exhibitors at the London Expo, which include employers, recruitment companies, state and local government organisations.
Exhibitors at the expo include a Western Australian automotive engineering firm seeking to recruit 50 skilled mechanics; a Melbourne-based healthcare recruitment firm looking for doctors, nurses and allied health professionals; a recruitment firm acting on behalf of WA local governments; and a Canberra organisation aiming to recruit a range of skilled workers.
Australia Needs Skills expos have previously been staged in Amsterdam, Berlin, Chennai, Kolkata, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Manila. Senator Evans said the expos were strongly supported by business and state and territory governments.
Many businesses and government agencies participating in this year’s event are returning after finding valuable skilled workers at previous expos.
'These expos link Australian employment specialists including state and territory governments, regional bodies and businesses with skilled workers,' Senator Evans said.
'Employer-sponsored migration is a high priority in a skilled migration stream which has economic benefits for everyone in Australia.'
A total of 24 800 British people arrived in Australia in the 2006-07 skilled migration stream.
'Skilled British people who move to Australia help meet demands for workers including professional workers, nurses, electricians, carpenters and joiners, motor mechanics, bricklayers, fitters, computer professionals, school teachers and plumbers,' Senator Evans said.
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/media/media-releases/2008/ce08026.htm
Last update: 13 August 2008 at 17:14 AEST