UK CAD Draftsman Looking For Sponsor Advice For Cairns

[AndyP10]

Hi anyone,
I am very keen to move to the Cairns area and have 20 year's experience as a CAD draftsman in the construction industry using AutoCAD. But having turned 40 I just fall into the 'reserve pool' area in terms of points for a 175 visa, so over the past few weeks I've been looking at all avenues, including the employer sponsored route.
Does anyone have any advice on how to maximise the chances of getting noticed or finding firms which are receptive to employer sponsorship?
I've sent my CV to several architectural/construction firms directly, and joined recruitment sites (SEEK, JobX, CareerOne etc) and even put an advert in the Cairns Post, but I've only had limited interest so far, with sponsorship being a bit of a hurdle. I'll keep looking and trying, but any other ideas or advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks very much.

[kaz101]

Hi Andy,

Welcome to the forum.

Have you checked whether your skill set is in demand? If it is then you are more likely to get a sponsor. If not then it's easier for employers to get someone locally than pay to sponsor someone.

Unfortunately it can be tough to get a sponsor, but once you have one the visa process seems to go quicker than a 175. If you don't get a response then try calling agents / companies since it shows that you are serious.

For the 175 points processing did you add in an IELTS score? I know that some English speakers are trying to get more points by doing that. We assumed that as English speakers (we're from the UK & Ireland) that we automatically got the points awarded. An agent would be able to tell you more how that works - and we have several on the forum.

Regards,
Karen

[AndyP10]

Hi Karen, and thanks.
My skill area is as an 3121-13 Architectural Associate, so it appears on the list and gives me 40 points towards the total. I specialise in CAD drafting in glazed facades and cladding on commercial buildings, so this may be a problem in wanting to move to Cairns (our first choice, anyway).
I also added in 25 points for the 175 because I figured my English could be classed as fluent (some may say different) being British, though I didn't add in anything specifically for IELTS tests. Is this something additional to the 25 points, or do you mean that I'd have to do the IELTS to get the 25 points?
I'm not worried whether it's a 175 or 457, I just figured the 457 would maybe speed things up and help because my points were in the pool area. I know if I had a 175 and was already in Australia it'd be much easier to get a job though.
We looked at using an agent, but it's hard to know where to go. Of course, when you do the online assessment they all say "congratulations, you're in", but the reality is that there's VETASSESS and loads of other things to address. We didn't want to chuck a couple of grand at one of them only to find they just fill out the forms for you, send them off and go "oh well, never mind" if the application fails. However, if an agent would genuinely help by angling my application in the right direction and advising the best way to maximise the attributes I (we) have, then it'd certainly be money well spent.

Thanks again,
Andy

[Dolly]

Hi there Andy,

I would strongly suggest getting in contact with a few more agents, their first consultation is usually free without obligation. Both Karen and me have the same story......we were told by 3 different agents that we didn't stand a chance of getting a visa and we both persevered, didn't take no for an answer and here we both sit this side of the hemisphere, albeit in different states LOL

An agent would be able to give advice on possibly getting extra points, like taking the IELTS tests to get some more points etc.

We used George Lombard, Karen used The Emigration Group and there are a couple of agents who post on here (Alan Collett and Veronika (SOMV).

Good luck!

Dolly

[AndyP10]

Thanks Dolly,
I've begun to realise that advice from experienced people like yourself (who've been there and are now living it) is extremely valuable, and a recommendation on an agent really helps.
I understand a 457 is hard to get, so a 175 would be better if possible (in terms of flexibilty and then getting work we want when in Oz), so maybe you're right. I'll discuss it with my wife after work tonight, because we did use an agent "lite" (i.e. not their "full" service) and have to confess I didn't find them very proactive or that helpful really. They seemed to just tell us more what we couldn't do rather than what we should do, if you know what I mean, so I was pleased we only paid for the "lite".
We're keen and anxious to move as soon as possible so we can start planning & living properly instead of in the limbo we feel at the moment, so I guess the sooner we make the decision which way to go the better.
I take it that if I apply for a 175 and carry on applying for jobs at the same time the process can be changed to 457 if the correct sponsorship opportunity arises?

Cheers again - I can feel the despondency lifting again!

[Dolly]

Hi Andy,

I'm pretty certain that if you've applied for a 175 but get sponsored during that time then the 175 application will be cancelled. I know a lot of people go the 457 route (due to either choice/timescale etc) but if you can stick with the 175 it would be better as you will get PR straight away and not be tied to an area/company. Again, ask an agent and see what they suggest.

I cannot tell you how many times we got despondent through the visa process...it was heartbreaking (but that's another story). In most cases there is always a light at the end of the tunnel...it's just that sometimes one persons tunnel is longer than another !!!

Keep us posted on how you get on and if you've got any more queries just ask away, there is always someone on here who can help.

Dolly

[AndyP10]

Great Dolly, thanks very much. We'll get onto it and keep you informed. I've been scanning the Emigration Group and George Lombard sites already and sent the usual initial assessment off to the E-Group already to see what happens. We need to get this thing moving as soon as, I think. I wish I could just get sorted and go today, and after several 13 hour days in a row due her to Muppet bosses, my wife wouldn't take much persuading either!
Regards,
Andy