Electrician

[Harvey Ling]

Hi there, I`m an electrician looking for work in Perth, is there any body that can help me out with info on jobs and geting the Australian qualifications.
Cheers Harvey

[BullcreekBob]

G'day

Do you think you should arrive here and get your Aussie qualifications before you start looking for a job ??? Perhaps try again in 12 months?

[Harvey Ling]

Hi Bullcreekbob,
thanks for your reply, not very helpful though.
May be I did not clearly lay out what I ment, I have all my qualification for the UK, and I would like to know what the TRA`s reqiurements are to get them recognizance over there.
CAN YOU UNDERSTAND THIS OR MAY BE THE LONG WORDS ARE CONFUSING YOU!

[Teach]

Harvey

PM Sent.

[BullcreekBob]

Hi Bullcreekbob,
thanks for your reply, not very helpful though.
May be I did not clearly lay out what I ment,
G'day

No, I don't think you did clearly lay out what you meant. If you are at the stage where you are wanting to know the TRA requirements, I hate to be the one to tell you, but you've got a long way to go before you can start looking for work here.

The TRA requirements are an assessment of your qualifications that is done purely for migration purposes, not employment prposes. It may be different in other states but here in WA, the TRA does not seem to help with the certifications that are required here to work as an electrician. There wll need to be some further study and sitting a couple of exams for the certification.

I have sent an email to two electricians that I know on another site, to see if it's okay for me to send you their email address so you can talk to them direct about their experiences. Sadly, one of the guys went back to the UK after spending a very frustrating nine months unemployed after arriving here,trying to get his WA certifications. I think his case is not typical, it usually takes less time, but it does not appear for electricians to be as straight forward as other trades.

As I said, I've asked a couple of other sparkies if it's ok to give their contact details to you. I'll let you know when I hear.

[BullcreekBob]

Posted from another site ......

Need to tell electricians exactly what to expect when they arrive!!
Apparently our situation is pretty much the norm, and i think its happening to other trades people particularly plumbers.
We arrived early Dec. with my husband main applicant Electrician (Modl)
Armed with our visas and paperwork we arrived at the licensing board in Leederville for John to be told that his qualifications weren't recognised (despite passing TRA in U.K.) and that he had to resubmit all his paperwork etc, obviously using valuable time and more money. It took 2 months for us to get the certificate of recognition and without this John was unable to enrol on the 18 week course at Tafe. This course is necessary in order to learn the Aussie Rules and Regs and prepare for the final exam which, if successfully passed , results in the all important Aussie Electrical Licence!!
there is an exam you can sit without the course but it has a very high failure rate and if failed you are required to attend the course then resit the exam!
Finally we got Johns certificate of Recognition, but were to late for the feb. Course. The next available course was in August. Apparently the course only runs twice a year and only accepts 25 electricians. Demand far outweighs availability!!!
As the course is 18 weeks it was looking like John wouldn.t get his licence until approx. Jan ( a year of uncertainty, and low wages) Luckily i had a decent job as a nurse but i imagine a lot of electricians will have partners who may be unable to work due to family commitments, pregnancy or suchlike. Frightening!!!
I became really frustrated by the system and angry that australia is crying out for these tradespeople then once here make things extremely difficult (as above)
I was advised to contact the local M.P. which i did and explained our situation and told her exactly what was going on in general and that something must be done !!!!!!!!!
i told her that it was a farce that tradespeople were accepted by the TRA then upon arrival their qualifications "aren't recognised"
That it took 2 months and more money to then get the needed certificate of recognition
That the course itself is so long (18 weeks, tues and thurs 6-10pm) Why can.t it be condensed into 2 or 3 full weeks?
That the course only accepts 25 people. Apparently for Febs course 25 people couldn't get on and had to apply for Augusts course. By this time how mant more Tradespeople will have arrived?
Finally that the course only runs twice a year, to which i was told that there was a shortgage of tutors. Why the hell are the electricians not told this prior to leaving their countries. As far as i can see they are arriving under false pretences, full of hope, only to come across all these barriers!!
Luckily John got on Febs course on a 'cancellation' and will sit exam in summer.

Sorry to rant but i just want other electricians to be aware of the situation and come prepared. Can this certificate of recognition be obtained prior to leaving U.K? this would at least save a bit of time and frustration!!!
We certainly weren't advised of this bt our migration agent and am not sure they are aware of the problems.
Also to any tradespeople encountering problems, please also put pressure on the M.P. as surely if enough people complain something will be done to ease the situation and speed up the process!!!

[Harvey Ling]

Bullcreekbob,
Thanks for the info.
Best Regards
Harvey Ling

[jamieandlouise2]

Just read this thread, and its kinda pissed on my fireworks! I wouldn't mind talking to a sparky whose emigrated if anyone wants to give me some advice. I'm traveling to all the major cities before ending up in Perth so maybe i can do the course in another city? Although i think my working holiday visa wont allow me to attend college or training courses. Someone told me that a JIB card was worth having in oz as it was partially recognised, but this seems to be bobbins. No wonder theres a skills shortage over there!!

[BullcreekBob]

...so maybe i can do the course in another city?

G'day

Aussie states are not like counties in the UK, you know a bit the same but with a different name. The states here are as different as what countries are in Europe.

Don't assume that doing a course in another state will qualify you to work in Perth. You will need licensing in WA if you want to work as a sparkie here.

[jamieandlouise2]

Just thought i'd post this for any other sparkies. Its from an email i sent to EGT (a trade body in WA).

You will need to contact the Overseas Qualifications Unit on (08)9224-6566.
They will be able to give you the information you will require in order
to see what your qualifications count for in Australia.

You need to get up early in the morning if calling from uk!!!

[stevet]

Hi
I hope they have now got this sorted, although I very much doubt it. I am an electrician who moved to Perth in July 2006. I had to get all of my documents certified and sent to TRA upon arrival, along with new references from my old UK employers. I explained to TRA that nothing in my career had changed in the past 12 months since my first application to them in the UK. I was told this did not matter. After about 1 month I recieved my TRA certificate. It then took me a further 5 months to do my trade tests and get my electrical license! Some of the questions in the trade test were not even relevant and I believe may have been written by Noah due to how out of date they were! If I had known this I would not have bothered. It would not be so bad if the Australian electrical standards, (whatever that is?), were higher than that in the UK. The fact is they are lower.
However. Once you get your TRA certificate you may be able to get a job as an electrician under a permit to work until you pass your trade exams. You can get a permit to work from the energy safety office in Perth upon presentation of your trade certificate. While working under a permit to work a "qualified" electrician will have to check your work. Most companies will maybe do this once or twice just to see you know what you are doing. You will also probably be on a lower rate until you get your full electrical license. Hope this is of some help to you.

[jox_co]

Hi
I hope they have now got this sorted, although I very much doubt it. I am an electrician who moved to Perth in July 2006. I had to get all of my documents certified and sent to TRA upon arrival, along with new references from my old UK employers. I explained to TRA that nothing in my career had changed in the past 12 months since my first application to them in the UK. I was told this did not matter. After about 1 month I recieved my TRA certificate. It then took me a further 5 months to do my trade tests and get my electrical license! Some of the questions in the trade test were not even relevant and I believe may have been written by Noah due to how out of date they were! If I had known this I would not have bothered. It would not be so bad if the Australian electrical standards, (whatever that is?), were higher than that in the UK. The fact is they are lower.
However. Once you get your TRA certificate you may be able to get a job as an electrician under a permit to work until you pass your trade exams. You can get a permit to work from the energy safety office in Perth upon presentation of your trade certificate. While working under a permit to work a "qualified" electrician will have to check your work. Most companies will maybe do this once or twice just to see you know what you are doing. You will also probably be on a lower rate until you get your full electrical license. Hope this is of some help to you.


Hi there,

feeling disheartened.

So what is the best way to go? Do I still apply for ARTC, can I not apply for jobs before getting it? Do I have to wait until I arrive, can I not use someone elses address to speed up?

Worrying about the whole process? Can any one help

[BullcreekBob]

Hi there,

feeling disheartened.

So what is the best way to go? Do I still apply for ARTC, can I not apply for jobs before getting it? Do I have to wait until I arrive, can I not use someone elses address to speed up?

Worrying about the whole process? Can any one help

G'day

Don't feel too disheartened - it is a tough process to get here but it IS worth it in the end.

Getting your qualifications recognised for your visa application is the first step. Getting here is the second step. Getting your WA license is the third step. Getting a job is the forth step and by far the easiest step.

[UK2Perth]

Hi

I can fully empathise with you, my partner moved out to Perth with full qualifications here which are not recognised there. He has sent a letter of to the TRA and they have asked for a copy of all of his paperwork which he has already done through the agency. He just put his case file reference number and hoped for the best, he is still waiting to hear. He will have to pay $150 for every subsequent application if it's wrong. The agency he used in the UK should've explained all this. He thought he would be able to start work pretty much after arriving in Perth and as a fully qualified electronical & mechanical engineer he is currently cutting steel in a workshop for the mines and any electrical work he carries out has to be checked by a qualified electrician. What a joke! He is going to go mad when I tell him he has to do a course for 18 weeks, take an exam, that's if he gets on the course as there are only 2 a year with only spaces for 25 electricians on each!

[The.Lawcants]

Hi All

Having read these threads I like others was very disheartend and worried. My other half is an electrician and we are applying through the skilled migrant route. I contacted our agent and copied and pasted what had been written about the troubles people were experiencing with regards to recognition and getting work.
She assures me that this shouldn't be a problem anymore so i would like to hear from any sparkys that have arrived post Sept 07 who can confirm this is the case.

Yours
Jane & Co

[gobbyjock]

The TRA for the visa process is just to prove that you are what you say you are, however not all sparkies have the problems encountered so don`t despair. My hubby sat his theory and practical exams and got his license within about 6 - 8 weeks of us arriving, I can`t remember the exact ins & outs but I remember him getting the wiring regs whilst still in UK and he sent off for something else whilst we were still there too - this made the process far easier. He is working away just now but I will ask him the ins & outs when I speak to him.

[The.Lawcants]

Thanks it would be good to talk to your hubby if possible, any advise to make the process easier is always helpful.

Does your hubby know much about mine work as there seems to be a lot of work in this area. Would he be able to recomend suitable courses my other half (Lee) could complete in the UK.

At the moment Lee mostly does domestic work. He's also passed his testing and inpecting course. We looked at HV switiching but there is so many courses to choose from were not sure whats best to do to get a head start over there. Any advise would be welcomed.

Yours
Jane

[BRIT ONE]

Hi there, I`m an electrician looking for work in Perth, is there any body that can help me out with info on jobs and geting the Australian qualifications.
Cheers Harvey


Hi HARVEY
Im an electrician who has been in perth for 11 years. I was in the RAF for 17 years. I now have my own small eletricain bussiness working all over perth and WA. Yes it is now hard to get started here , yes you may have all the quols in UK but you have to get reassested here . you can take a test which is written and a practical, or do a 10 week night school 2 nights a week programe which is not bad. I ve had some people work for me while they were doing that. so if this is any help emil me back]

[mike&lou]

G'day

Aussie states are not like counties in the UK, you know a bit the same but with a different name. The states here are as different as what countries are in Europe.

Don't assume that doing a course in another state will qualify you to work in Perth. You will need licensing in WA if you want to work as a sparkie here.
Bob i have heard from many sources many different times now,sound like you know whts going on so many you can verify this for me..
I have done the vetasses thing, passed tht and apparantly i wll get a cert so i can work for 12 months while i get my trade license, wht i have heard is i can go to SA and get my license there and just transfer it,is this possible?...