Australia will target US workers, good idea?
United States construction workers will be encouraged to work in
Australia in a bid to address Australian skill shortages and US
unemployment levels.
Skills Minister Chris Evans said the government would
move to recognise US workers' trade skills in the US to smooth their
path to Australia.
"We haven't had strong recognition arrangements with the
United States of America," he told reporters in Canberra this afternoon.
program had been attracting "reasonable" levels of US workers, but
mainly in professional areas. According to the Department of
Immigration, the US made up 7 per cent of total 457 (temporary overseas
worker) visa applications from July to the end of February 2012.
"We have been discussing with the (US) ambassador and
American companies for some time whether or not we could do better at
attracting some of that labor to meet the emerging skills needs in the
Australian economy," he said.
Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said that Australia
would also run an a skills expo in Houston, Texas next month to try and
attract skilled workers in resources, energy and infrastructure.
Mr Bowen said that there was no cap on or target for the
number of US workers but said he expected demand to be strong. "The
market will determine that," he said.
Mr Bowen said there were currently about 80,000 workers in Australia under the 457 visa.
Senator Evans said that the need for extra construction
workers in civil and heavy engineering trades was temporary - with
demand likely to peak over the next three to five years - for mining and
infrastructure projects. He said the government was wary of training up
large numbers of Australians who would then be left unemployed when the
peak subsided.
US Ambassador to Australia Jeffrey Bleich said that unemployment in the US was currently at about 8.3 per cent.
"This is a real win-win for both of our nations," he said. "No job will be taken away from Australians."
Senator Evans said the moves to encourage US workers to come to Australia was not discriminatory.
"What these measures do is try and remove some barriers ... to people recruiting US workers," he said.
He said Australia already had similar arrangements with
the Philippines, India and had workers from "all over the world" in
construction.
"We don't discriminate on the basic of race," he said,
noting that there were language standards for occupational health and
safety reasons.
Senator Evans said it would be mostly up to the employer to make the decision about where they brought workers from.
While serving in the Air Force I often tried to get to Alice Springs but my turn never came. My sons went into the Navy and Marine Corps and were there in less than a year.
Perhaps I could go there in my new profession. We shall see!
I hope your sons enjoyed their time in Australia, I do hope we were thought of as a friendly and welcoming friends.
Australia = 22 million
USA = 300 million, plus a few more illegal (??)
Yes, the majority of Australians are educated and highly skilled, for example me, I am a Lawyer but have been working in Hong Kong for 6 months. It is an Australian Company I am working for with offices here and in Beijing and soon to be several more offices in China.
Cool on you, being in China. Really wanted to be among the first capital warships to drop anchor there, but it didn't materialize.
If Chinese workers can come and work elsewhere, then American workers can come and work in OZ.
Why not says I?
If there is a shortage of qualified workers (what the hell is going on down under? is everyone surfing?) in the construction trades (which is many) then why shouldn't Australia seek foreign workers?
UNEEQ - are you sure there aren't sufficient numbers in Australia to fill these jobs?
Like someone else asked you, what is the national temperature on this?
When I look at the skyline of Brisbane behind the surf shots at Snapper Rocks(or wherever they are) in Coolangatta(sp) I have to wonder - "WHO" built those?
Are you saying all those construction workers are gone? Retired?
I'm suspicious that everyone in Australia is enjoying the beach too much.
Except you UNEEQ, of course, you being the exception? Or are you?
All those natural resources ready to be mined and the foreign countries willing to pay top dollar for the rights, well, Australians stand to profit on a scale only the margin can dictate.
That the 'margin' is the X factor presently, unless and until that info becomes public, we will have to wait and see how it will effect the growing number of welfare recipients.
I'm imagining, but IF I were living on the dole in Australia, I might be rubbing my hands together in glee, at this prospect in Australia's history?
I'm not sure about Australians' view in general, but here in America, the influence of the 'welfare' voter is now a major factor in all things politic.
Listening to NPR right now (public radio/BBC-etc) , there was just a story on about Australia and a comment by the next in line? to the PM? Already forgot his name.
Anyway - it was another report about Australia's elitist wealthy and the mining of your resources that must be a hot topic in Oz these days?
The proportion of Australian youth on the dole is going to be affected by decisions made in the mining and the profits taken away by foreign countries.
Not even Australian workers are going to be used in the process?
(edit) this is still your post from yesterday.
I think your post yesterday discussed the search for workers from the USA.
I hope all Australians, like yourself, are awake and aware of the change that may be coming soon from Canberra?
As to my dysfunctional use of Aussie slang - it's just a bad habit I've acquired since visiting - hell, and even before, when, as a young surfer growing up American - we always thought your Ozzie accent was 'cute'
especially the 'sheilas' - yowzers!
The Prime Minister happens to be a SHE, Julia Gillard, a topic which I would prefer not to get into right now - speaks for itsellf !!
The article from yesterday, I read from an Australian newspaper here in Hong Kong and found it interesting to I posted it straight away.
Yes, the surfing is great down here mate and the occasional sheila is not bad either, especially after a few stubbies :))
Hold on to your hat! I am obsessed with Aussie politics. That your PM is female I've been aware since election nite!!!
She tends to Progressive politics, but who doesn't anymore?
If I hear a re-run of the program that had a comment from a MALE counterpart of Gillard's I will hasten to forward it.
NOW for the most interesting part of your reply!!!
What the? - is the?/are they? - those 'stubbies' you refer to?
You ozzies and your slang!!!
Don't let my imagination run away with itself awaiting an answer!
(coughing and laughing simultaneously)
You are obsessed with Aussie politics, whoa mate, what about Obama, the big O - he creates many discussions - :) :) :) = SMILE!
Otherwise you might be aware how I feel about Obama.
I comment about him constantly!
:): = comedy/tragedy
I haven't had a chance to catch up to you and your new life. How are things going in Hong Kong? Have you found your favorite eatery? Do you have new hobbies that you can pursue in your off hours? Have you seen all the sights? Been to the famous amusement park overlooking Hong Kong?
Miss home much? Have your living space decorated in traditional or ala Hong Kong - whatever that is?
What do you do for fun? And of course all the personal questions too!
I get to Singapore in July, and we have a stopover in Hong Kong. I don't think we even de-bark the plane.
I wish I had, maybe I still can, delay one day to see Hong Kong?
Do you think one day would even be worth it? Probably spend most of my time getting un-lost!
Once a week I have Chinese lessons in the evening, we all work long hours so not a great deal of time to do OUR own thing. The Americans are a distraction, they seem to like Australian girls with blonde hair working for a legal firm! Yes, there is one in particular who has been HOT TO TROT for me since last October. He has been very persistent in his efforts and YES he has won a heart!
If you have a stopover in Hong Kong you will have to get off the aircraft for ??, YES, i think spending a day here is worth it, catching the ferry from Kowloon to the island side and going up to Victoria Peak, an amazing view if the weather is good.
I have a few favorite places to visit and the locals know me now which is good, just have to keep the Americans under control :)), plus the Aussies, yes, combined plus a few drinks they are very loud!
Hope I have answered all your questions, when a wedding date has been set I will let you know!!! ;)
congratulations too! hmmm - from 'hot to trot' to betrothal!
OK I trust your judgement!?!?
Sounds like you are enjoying Hong Kong even though you are on a busy schedule.
I have just returned from Seattle VA Hospital with recommendation for a year long cancer treatment. I have to make up my mind whether to cancel my vacations already paid and undergo an unbelievable uncomfortable treatment.
I will let you know what I decide to do.
I wish you all the best if you do get married. I hope you've given it the thought required? I guess you have since your wedding dates are forthcoming. I'll sent you a private msg. I've just sent to a dozen friends re today.