System Message:

Mining boom's presence felt by regional communities

Mining boom"s presence felt by regional communities

In recognition of the impact of the continued resource boom on the local workforce, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has announced it will be hosting a number of public interviews in Port Pirie, South Australia, on February 23.

The officers attending the sessions are available by appointment only and are helping to provide business owners and migrants with valuable information on their sponsorship and permanent residency visa options.

The city is well-known as one of the state's larger population centres with a strong economy that produces refined metals such as lead, copper, tin and gold.

It is only a couple of hours drive from Adelaide, while still being close to nearby mining projects that form the basis of the community's primary occupation.

Being situated on the banks of the Spencer Gulf is a major plus, as the newly minted material can be loaded directly onto ships for transport.

As the two-speed economy begins to spread its effect across the country, more positions in these industries become available - in some cases there are more roles than there are experienced workers.

With these key factors in mind, it's little wonder that the DIAC would consider municipalities such as Port Pirie when making face-to-face visits.

This purpose was clarified by a departmental spokesman, who explained that the main point of the interviews give local business owners the chance to gain valuable advice on their international hiring options.

The spokesman asserted: "Some businesses in regional communities can find it difficult to fill skilled vacancies with local workers and may want to consider sponsoring suitably qualified workers from overseas.

"Our officers will be available to provide a range of information on visa options, market salary rates, health insurance, training requirements and employer obligations."

While the information provided by the departmental officers is quite useful to both employers and migrant workers, the spokesman reminded business owners of their role in the sponsorship transaction.

"It is the responsibility of employers to ensure that non-Australian workers they hire hold a visa with valid work rights," said the spokesman.

As international workers are sourced and begin to settle in to these communities, they often begin to bring their families over to join them.

For many, the DIAC has special visa subclasses for spouses and dependent children and can even provide sponsorship solutions for parents and other relations.

However the requirements of these arrangements can vary depending on the individual's circumstances, so savvy professionals will be seeking the assistance of migration agents to find the best possible avenue that suits their needs.



Share
Joomla SEF URLs by Artio