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Author Topic: Best way of getting a job........?  (Read 3765 times)

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Offline Gaven

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Best way of getting a job........?
« on: February 12, 2013, 08:18:24 AM »
Im looking for a job at the moment but whilst in the UK still & not having much luck. Whats the general opinion when looking for work? Im prepared to visit NZ to meet potential employers face to face but whats the benefit? I mean, Ive emailed numerous companies so what can I do differently if in NZ? Any advice is appreciated.Thanks!

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Offline Plumber

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Re: Best way of getting a job........?
« Reply #1 on: February 12, 2013, 09:21:54 AM »
I get so many spam emails that it puts me off even looking at potential CV's. I'm sure many feel the same way and it goes in the to hard basket. I think phoning would be much more successful or as you say walking in and ask. I'm just curious how is the construction market in the UK at the moment?
Please note that the advice I am giving is only my opinion and not necessarily a fact.  Please refer to our terms and conditions.

Offline Gaven

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Re: Best way of getting a job........?
« Reply #2 on: February 12, 2013, 09:36:25 AM »
Thanks for your reply.
Ive had a few replies but most of them said they either didnt have any vacancies or were letting guys go. Or they didnt reply at all!
So you may have a point about spam emails.I hadnt thought of that. Maybe a few calls are reqd!
There is plenty of contruction going on at the moment. There are new housing estates going up all the time & they will need heating systems put in.

Offline Jaxcat

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Re: Best way of getting a job........?
« Reply #3 on: February 12, 2013, 10:49:42 AM »
Hi Gaven

I am an employer and I can tell you I probably get at least 6 emails a week from UK plumbers/gasfitters looking for a job, or young fellas wanting an apprenticeship.

As far as UK people go - they are no use to me without a NZ licence, and this is pretty much what I tell them.  I understand what you are saying - and it is chicken and egg stuff, but essentially anyone from the UK that comes without a NZ licence is worth as much as a labourer as they cannot work unsupervised despite their experience etc.  They usually think this is pretty shitty - and rightly so, but that is the situation - I would need to put a tradesman with them until such time as they had been here for two years or had a NZ licence.

So - essentially if you are willing to get a job where you are "supervised" while you gain your NZ qualifications, and therefore get paid less - you may have more luck.

For the record, we aren't hiring at the moment, and I still think your best bet would be Christchurch where construction is starting to move.
Have you learned lessons only of those who admired you, and were tender with you, and stood aside for you?  Have you not learned great lessons from those who braced themselves against you, and disputed the passage with you?  (Walt Whitman 1819-1891)  American Poet

Offline Gaven

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Re: Best way of getting a job........?
« Reply #4 on: February 12, 2013, 11:21:18 AM »
Hi Jaxcat
Thanks for your reply. That was exactly what I thought you guys would say.

For the record Im not expecting to get a job & be paid what a qualfied person would get.I was hoping to work supervised until I felt ready to sit the exams. In the meantime I would get on the job training & show I could do the job & so be able to repay the favour to the employer by proving my worth. Effectively I would be a "mature" apprentice! There is only me, no family so I am in a unique position in a way.

Anyway,thanks for your advice. I needed someone to tell me like it is & I think I will look at CCH. Ive been advised that plumbers/Gasfitters arent reqd yet. Do you know if this is true?

Offline Jaxcat

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Re: Best way of getting a job........?
« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2013, 11:51:15 AM »
Hi Gaven

With that attitude then you should do well - I have found the opposite - i.e. that it is quite a shock when UK trained plumbers and gasfitters realise that their qualifications are not automatically recognised and that they would be paid more like apprentice wages.  Most are horrified - I think if you can get this message across - that you understand the situation with regards to supervision and that you want on the job work experience in a New Zealand enviroment then that should stand you in good stead.

I hear Chch is slowly taking off, but other posters on here from that area would have a better idea.  Auckland is also meant to be improving.  Wellington is flat, but there are lots of little centres probably looking for tradesmen.  I was talking to a plumber from Hastings/Napier the other day and he said tradesmen are like hens teeth there - so that is another place to consider - and the weather there is wonderful.

Good luck!

Offline Plumber

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Re: Best way of getting a job........?
« Reply #6 on: February 12, 2013, 02:10:13 PM »
Hi Gaven, if your joy is heating then you will certainly have more luck in Ch Ch.

Instead of calling plumbers how about you email some heating companies that supply plumbers and are based here in NZ, I know for a fact there are some guys out there looking for heating installers with experience (especially in the mechanical and commercial boiler sector) and they usually ask their suppliers if they know any good guys. Plus for heating you don't actually have to be licensed (I reckon it should be a licensed industry!) as long as you don't touch potable water or gas.

Good luck mate.

Offline robbo

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Re: Best way of getting a job........?
« Reply #7 on: February 12, 2013, 03:42:10 PM »
Hi Gaven, if you fancy Christchurch there is a very good company Called:-

DAVID BROWNE CONTRACTORS LTD. P.O.BOX 15056, davidbrowne.co.nz
They are Heating and Ventilating engineers who do the big building site work, they call it `Mechanical Services` here,  they also do gasfitting and employ plumbers, the boss is David Browne who is a gasfitter from way back actually he is from Coventry so he may actually like u.k. guys unlike our P.G.D. Board. Don’t know if they need anyone at the moment but with many multi story building in the pipeline they will in the future, give his web site a look and contact from there, good luck, cheers

Offline Gaven

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Re: Best way of getting a job........?
« Reply #8 on: February 12, 2013, 09:21:12 PM »
Wow guys! Thanks for all your very usefull advice. I really appreciate it.
Im going to rewrite my CV & cover letter & spend a day on the phone & computer!

Thanks again.

Offline Smith Titos

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Re: Best way of getting a job........?
« Reply #9 on: April 17, 2013, 06:07:14 PM »
Gain some experience with an experienced professional plumber then later on start your own plumbing business

Offline Gaven

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Re: Best way of getting a job........?
« Reply #10 on: April 17, 2013, 07:13:33 PM »
Thanks Smith Titos. Its highly unlikely I'll secure a position from here in the UK so have decided to visit again in Jan '14 for 4 months to job hunt & hopefully meet with various employers to gain valuable feedback.  Im in a good position as its just me,(no family) & Ive gone through the PGDB checks & sio have been approved a provisional license as soon as I gain employment. 

Offline anthonyc12

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Re: Best way of getting a job........?
« Reply #11 on: July 13, 2013, 04:36:24 PM »
what i suggest you is gain some plumbing experience and then start your own business. Getting jobs these days is like finding a pin in a haystack.

Offline Dave Rayment

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Re: Best way of getting a job........?
« Reply #12 on: March 09, 2016, 11:10:18 PM »
Hi Gaven,

Seen your post and was wondering how you've progressed with your search for work in NZ and getting registered etc?

Me, the Mrs, and kids are seriously thinking about moving out there to start a new life in a couple years but it all seems pretty negative if you want to be a plumber out there. I'm level 2 NVQ and city & guilds at the moment, considering doing gas before going out but seems like it would be a waste of money as will need to then be re-registered in NZ anyway.

Basically just wondering if you have any advice? Is it worth moving to the other side of the world for much lower pay?

Cheers

Offline integrated

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Re: Best way of getting a job........?
« Reply #13 on: March 11, 2016, 07:28:03 PM »
If you are just coming out to work - IE; not to work for yourself but for a company or someone else then I wouldn't bother going to any length to do anything, just go on to an exemption license  - if you are good at your job then you will soon earn just the same as anyone else in the industry - certainly just the same as other registered and licensed persons anyway just not maybe certifiers/business owners.

If you were coming out with the intent to start your own business then i wouldn't bother with the boards international equivalency protocol - probably easier and quicker and less stressful to just do an adult apprenticeship - if you are good it can be done in less than 2 years - apply for and sit your registration exam at every opportunity, if you fail just resit and resit - its not hard, they have the reg exams every 6 months

Interestingly I gave serious consideration shifting to Britain 18-24 mths ago , through all of my research the process there is no better and the associated costs trebled - I don't think there is as much emphasis on licensing however, plenty of people would give me a job without equivalent license but I was looking long term to have my own - the pay rates were'nt that flash either unless you were in London but then you have to pay for London housing...

Swings and roundabouts - the grass is always greener!


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