Australia Wants To Hire Skilled US Engineers and Electricians
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The Australian government has announced it will overhaul its visa assessment system for American workers as its economy struggles to fill jobs in key sectors that are currently enjoying a boom, mostly on the back of strong demand from China. According to industry projections, Australia will need 1.3 million extra workers over the next five years.
On Monday, Australia’s Skills Minister Chris Evans and the United States Ambassador to Australia Jeffery Bleich announced a new scheme to help American workers have their trade qualifications recognised faster.
The Australian government has announced it will overhaul its visa assessment system for American workers as its economy struggles to fill jobs in key sectors that are currently enjoying a boom, mostly on the back of strong demand from China. According to industry projections, Australia will need 1.3 million extra workers over the next five years.
On Monday, Australia’s Skills Minister Chris Evans and the United States Ambassador to Australia Jeffery Bleich announced a new scheme to help American workers have their trade qualifications recognised faster.
Speaking to reporters, Evans said American workers will be able to have their skill sets assessed in the United States in order to smooth their transition into Australia.
Explaining the need for foreign talent, Evans said:
[quote] While the government’s first priority is to train Australian’s for jobs in the resources and construction sectors, projections show that we will need workers from overseas for a peak in activity in the next three to five years. [/quote]
Bleich added:
[quote] It is a real win-win for both of our nations. No jobs will be taken away from Australians. [/quote]Australia managed to avoid a recession after the global financial crisis, mostly due to strong Chinese demand for its raw materials. At 5.2 percent, Australia’s unemployment rate is remarkably better than the current 8.3 percent in the United States.
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The Australian government also said most of the jobs will be in building mines, railways and ports in remote parts of Western Australia and Queensland states. Other key industries include the healthcare and social work sectors.
According to Bleich, U.S. war veterans could be particularly suited for work in remote Australian mine sites.
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Acknowledging that the distance between the United States and Australia could put off interested workers, Evans offered:
[quote] Workers coming into the resources industry in Australia at the moment will be among the highest paid workers in the world. [/quote]
Refuting claims of discrimination, Evans said Australia already has similar agreements with countries like the Philippines, India, and even Ireland and Greece, where crippling government debt and recessions have fuelled high unemployment.
In 2011, temporary foreign workers in Australia increased by 11 percent to 128,600. The United States provided 6.3 percent of these temporary workers, the fifth largest behind Britain, India, the Philippines and Ireland.
Related: Australia Unemployment
Related: Australia Industry Sectors
