OMARA has just released some figures in a sort of passing snapshot of the current migration agency profession.
Most agents have not had a complaint, but over a quarter have, which is about 1340 agents.
Well over a third have less than 4 years’ experience and 14% less than one year’s experience. So a third of those with under 4 years’ experience are in their very first year of practice. This may indicate the profession is growing as OMARA states, but we need to know how many are leaving the profession every year before we can conclude that.
Average age is 44, so most have had substantial other work experience before becoming an agent. This is most likely a good thing. Experience can bring wisdom.
However, almost half of us operate as a sole trader (and this is probably understating it depending on other business structures). Certainly, there is an aversion to or avoidance of working together. There could be many reasons for this. One reason could be the average age, an age where most people have the skills and experience not to want or even perhaps need a job or to be in business with others anymore.
What can we draw from these figures? Many things I presume upon deeper reflection.
Initially the “profession” seems as a whole fairly cautious, experienced and self-reliant. Perhaps however, there are too many inexperienced with the legalities of migration law and migration agency procedures and the realities of migration’s cut and thrust and or with running a business (closer examination of the complaints would reveal more here).
The figures leave much to work out and could be more detailed.
It is agreed that the need for initial and ongoing education is paramount.
Let’s see what the future holds. It is up to us to make it a good one.