Engineers in Australia

[CDB]

Good day,

 

I know this is a very arbitrary question to present to you guys but are there a lot of opportunities for migrant electrical engineers (in power systems / medium-high voltage). I know it is on the SOL but I wanted to know if there really are positions available for south African engineers.

 

Another thing is what are the working hours like, salaries, people, managers like in Australia (i am leaning towards either Sydney or Perth).

 

Regards,

[ottg]

While I cannot help you with your question I can share an argument that is going for some time that "primary skilled migrants are not even working in their area of expertise"

Of those PR engineers are the largest group. While the article want to drive home a different point, I would like to refer you to Fig 1, (at the end)

https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2017/04/mass-immigration-diluting-australias-skills-base/

 

There you will notice the largest group that is not a good fit for the engineering industry. Most jobs available are for VET educated engineers and many earn more than Uni engineers. Why is that?

[RedPanda]

Yea, this is a tough one. I still haven't found work, but there are lots of things feeding into this outcome, so I can't really draw conclusions from it. (It's complicated  )

I think if you want to find work here you will need to have hands on experience doing the thing that is the main focus of the job you want to apply for. Because they are spoilt for choice the Aussies literally advertise that they are looking for someone whose previous job was doing what they want you to do for them.

But see if you can speak to a few more people, get a better idea. What also sometimes happens is that people spend time initially doing something totally unrelated to their studies and only later land the job they want, after they have built up a network to help them look and provide referrals.

[ottg]

 

On 8/1/2017 at 7:19 PM, CDB said:

wanted to know if there really are positions available for south African engineers

 

My comments are not to put you off. There are many opportunities and successful engineers BUT not necessarily just from South Africa because the catchment area is global. All the stats given are just facts.

So what is the real issue then? Note this is a general reply to any prospective engineer who struggles to find a position.

The easiest way to answer this dilemma is to refer to earlier forum posts as background (note the date when published). As I grappled with a question for a long time.
While you scan the info ask the following:  “how do you solve this wicked problem? It all depends on who cares to listen and who is prepared to pay to solve it.”

 

Studies were done by engineers Australia (2010) Note some links may not work anymore.
http://www.saaustralia.org/topic/31334-studies-done-by-engineers-australia-on-migrant-engineers/

Is there a missing link within the engineering industry of Australia? (2015)
http://www.saaustralia.org/topic/44999-is-there-a-missing-link-within-the-engineering-industry-of-australia/

 

Is it really tough for engineers
http://www.saaustralia.org/topic/45342-is-it-really-that-tough-for-engineers/?do=findComment&comment=411722

http://www.saaustralia.org/topic/45342-is-it-really-that-tough-for-engineers/?do=findComment&comment=415838

http://www.saaustralia.org/topic/45342-is-it-really-that-tough-for-engineers/?do=findComment&comment=416223

 

The engineering market (2014)

http://www.saaustralia.org/topic/41871-electrical-engineer-looking-for-work-in-aus/?do=findComment&comment=374721

Renewed drive to get engineering removed from the SOL list (2016) Note the graph!!!

http://www.saaustralia.org/topic/45825-engineers-australia-fast-track-option/?do=findComment&comment=434539

 

It all depends in what engineering industry you fit best i.e Hydrology, civil, mining

http://www.saaustralia.org/topic/45825-engineers-australia-fast-track-option/?do=findComment&comment=417249

 

Better approach is to look at the different states and where are their growth points
https://www.commsec.com.au/content/dam/EN/Campaigns_Native/stateofstates/July2017/CommSec_State_of_the_States_July2017.pdf 
http://business.nab.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/forward-view-australia-jun17.pdf   

 

So back to my question: “how do you solve this wicked problem. It all depends on who cares to listen and who is prepared to pay to solve it.”
In this scenario - No one solves the problem and no one is prepared to pay either. Haven’t noticed many engineers in the politics and that may be part of the problem. The problem only gets passed around or gets mentioned often – even by me!

 

You may say this is easy for me as I’m not the one looking for a job – correct so how do you go about it if you are new to Aus, no contacts, no network etc. As mentioned by many on the forum that the hidden job market is responsible for 80% of jobs – just search for it. So if you are past that then why don’t you get the interview or get picked. 

http://www.saaustralia.org/topic/47330-advice-on-resumes-why-applicants-dont-get-interviews/?do=findComment&comment=433661 

http://www.saaustralia.org/topic/47313-is-everybody-going-over-without-a-job/?do=findComment&comment=433391

http://www.saaustralia.org/topic/47313-is-everybody-going-over-without-a-job/?do=findComment&comment=433660

 

I will assume that you have done the basics & advanced methods. Still, there is no direct market fit and you are in dire straits. By now you know nothing comes easy and for some, it will be too hard to do.

That said – why not reinventing you for those markets that do grow. You only need one job!!!
Example: your potential employer in the retail industry doesn’t know that engineers are pretty good problem solvers. 

 

How?
Think short term - forget about loyalty. If any opportunity comes along in the meantime, go for it as you can always move after 6-month (Shocking but here people move often for various reasons).
Think how can I make my prospective employer more money, save them time, get things done better at no cost etc How would you know what problems they have if you haven’t met them yet?
I have discovered two books through the author mentioned in one of the above links, that helped me. Very significant and applicable. Let me share.

1. Reinventing you – Dorie Clark
2. Stand out – Dorie Clark

Look up the Kindle ebook @ ~$10. each  
In my view, of all people, she should know what she is talking about, but you can judge from the youtube videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEeXeblddSo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6wYm3vFxxY

 

Further, I have done a Mindmap on the 1st book and anyone interested can PM me…… but to be fair to the author only if you have got the ebook 

The password to the doc on Dropbox will be a sentence from a specific page!

Note, no affiliation only want to help you, helping yourself!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 4, 2017 by ottg
wrong link

[ottg]

Just saw this discussion going on Linkedin group.

While both students and migrants are looking for a start in the industry you have a major advantage of having experience. 

Eng AUS "is after your Top 5 Tips for final year students to prepare for the next step in their career journey"

 

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2132296/2132296-6299090871317073923

[ottg]

Those in Australia know that there is a strong drive to initiate STEM into schools

Recently the question gets asked, why should students study engineering if there is a lack of engineering positions? A valid question from this article.

https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2017/11/why-study-engineering-unless-you-plan-to-emigrate/

To go one step further, the age-old argument; if immigration really plugs the engineering shortage? (see linkedin)

Three questions from this then: What engineering shortage? How do you define an engineering shortage? Who determines an engineering shortage?

https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2017/11/report-debunks-claim-migrants-plugging-critical-skills-shortages/

 

This ties in with a previous comment: it depends on who listens and it depends on who wants to solve the issue?