Air-con and Refrigeration - The process

[Bridges]

Hiya,

 

 

This is a thread for air-con and refrigeration engineers looking to make the move. We struggled to find out info from the uk so hoping this will be of some help.

 

 

We have been in Perth 6 1/2 weeks and OH is progressing nicely. Whilst still in the uk we identified some aircon companies and sent off his cv along with cover letter (not to job ads as theses all specified they wanted fully licensed only which he clearly wasn't). After several relationship building emails with a company that responded, We were lucky enough to have an interview lined up for arrival and the company offered him a position under supervision until qualified. We arrived Wednesday and this happened on the Monday. In the meantime we contacted polytechnic west college and sorted out a meet to get enrolled on the college course abt $2.5k. Once this was done we then contacted arctik to get provisional trainee licence (just filled in a form for a trainee licence once in a job/enrolled at college and they sent out a card). We also sent off to energy safety (they wrote back weeks later saying to enrol on the course he was already on, not sure if we did have to do this (although the vetassess says you do) but at least they have him on their records now).

 

 

hes hoping to be qualified ASAP but latest within the year simply because we have a lot going on including a new arrival in August. We've heard stories of it only taking 3 months, but most abt 6 longest 12. It just depends on how much work you can do on it after work and how quick college reply to questions etc (that's the bit that takes the longest!). He has done one college practical so far and the other stuff you work through at home online. He has also had to do various training courses, working at heights, first aid each of the courses are about $200 ish depending on where you complete them. He also had to get a white card, which he did online whilst still in the uk

 

 

Any costs linked to work are all tax deductible (keep receipts) and you can claim some of the costs back when you do your tax return. We don't know how much back yet as financial year only ended yesterday so we've not lodged a claim yet.

 

 

We've not looked in to cost after licensing will deal with that nearer the time! but I know you update arctik and send it all off to energy safety for the restricted electrical licence.

 

It it all seemed so confusing from the uk but all fits once you get here. If you can secure work brill, if not I guess first step on arrival is to contact the college to find out how much you need to do (they look at your qualifications and omit some sections depending on experience).

 

Hope this answers some of the questions you may have. If you want to ask for more detail in an area just let me know and we will try and help

 

 

Good luck

 

 

Allie, wayne and Ethan

[DBradley]

Hi, I don't know if you'll see this as your post was a while ago, but did you have experience before leaving uk and thus came as a skilled migrant? Asking as my son is starting NVQ level 3 and is looking at what it takes to come to Perth. Many Thanks D

[verystormy]

Hi, I don't know if you'll see this as your post was a while ago, but did you have experience before leaving uk and thus came as a skilled migrant? Asking as my son is starting NVQ level 3 and is looking at what it takes to come to Perth. Many Thanks D

 

Hi and welcome to the forum

 

Your son would need to get his qualification and then undertake work for some time after qualifying in order to pass a skills assessment. The amount of time varies, but it will be 2-3 years. However, he may need to do longer than that in order to get enough experience for points

[DBradley]

Hi and welcome to the forum

 

Your son would need to get his qualification and then undertake work for some time after qualifying in order to pass a skills assessment. The amount of time varies, but it will be 2-3 years. However, he may need to do longer than that in order to get enough experience for points

 

 

Thank you for the reply, that's very helpful.

I'm guessing no one gets sponsored as a 3rd year apprentice so best if he finishes that and builds a working history as you mention.

 

Whilst he's doing that I understand he can start the process of getting those UK qualifications recognized (in a year or two) do you know if thats right? An RPL etc?

 

Thanks again