Engineering Australia – Engineering Escapes Migrant Cuts
Australian engineering migrant numbers are to be maintained despite major changes about to be announced to the Critical Skills List (CSL) and MODL.
The following article is taken from the Courier Mail.
Australian jobs protected by freeze on foreign workers
By Stefanie Balogh
The Courier-Mail
March 16, 2009 12:01am
The Government is set to announce a 14 per cent cut to the immigration intake to protect local jobs.
Visa cuts … migrant numbers will be slashed to save Australian jobs.
- Building, manufacturing jobs protected
- Gates to shut on 18,500 foreign workers
- Unions expected to welcome move
LOCAL building and manufacturing jobs will be firewalled, with the Rudd Government set to close the gate on about 18,500 foreign workers this year.
Immigration Minister Chris Evans will reveal the Government is to cut its permanent skilled migration program this financial year by 14 per cent to protect Australian jobs.
“Clearly the economic circumstances in Australia have changed as a result of the global financial crisis so it is prudent to reduce this year’s migration intake accordingly,” Senator Evans said.
The changes mean building and manufacturing trades will be removed from Australia’s critical skills list, protecting local bricklayers, plumbers, welders, carpenters and metal fitters.
But employers will still be able to access skilled workers such as doctors and nurses in industries and sectors where acute skills shortages exist.
The critical skills list will now comprise mainly health and medical, engineering and IT workers.
With the critical skills list (CSL) comprising mainly health, engineering and IT occupations, it will become even more important for people in these occupations seeking to migrate to Australia to prepare thoroughly. Migrant engineers will need to be better prepared to win engineering jobs in Australia in the tighter job market.
