chuckdee13:
@NNBB2012
I have a b.eng in petroleum engineering and an msc in computer systems engineering (accredited). Different fields...I want to assess petroleum so the msc will become irrelevant but I want to know if its still wise to show the msc so that there won't be a huge gap in my resume. Thx a lot.

Even if you have a Masters in the same field, it doesn't fetch you additional points to that which you will get from your first degree.

utcheylee:

Good morning Everyone,

please can someone give me list of cheap university to apply for my Masters programme, I studied cooperative economics and management and I came out with second class lower division been working for 7 years now. I also want to know if Australia allow a married person to come over with the family immediately or I must come first before applying for their visa?

sorry for the long talk but I will like someone to put me through on what to do.

I know some of my questions has been answered before , if I can get a link or something will really appreciate it.

N/B is it late to apply for a course I will also want your advice on which of the state is cheaper to raise children, rent, school, feeding and cost of living.

please help a sister out.

thanks everyone.

Why don't you go for PR and you get to do your MSc much cheaper? You will definitely spend a lot less getting a PR (with all the associated benefits) compared to opting for an MSc programme.

BrightForYou:


Thank you very much. Do i need to open a domiciliary account to receive money directly into my bank account through World Remit?

No you don't. You can receive transfers into any of your accounts - only in local currency of the destination country.

bossladymo1:


Very good news....cheaper and safer good news sef lol. And you get your first transfer free. Just did a test-run of the service...not bad.

Take this from someone who has tried almost every possible means of transferring money from here to Nigeria, World Remit is the most efficient, most reliable and cheapest. You can transfer to virtually any bank/bank account in Nigeria. And it's almost instant - less than 5 minutes your transfer is sitting pretty.

With regards to cheap international phone calls, try Telbo. I'm presently experimenting with some now while some have been binned.

BrightForYou:
Hello ladies and gents. Please since Australia would not grant me visa,I have decided to do my undergraduate programme here in Nigeria and my sponsor has agreed to that then later i would go to Aussie for my msc degree by God's grace. So,the snag i am catching now is that,my sponsor tried sending me some money last week from Australia through Western Union,and to my greatest surprise,they denied her access to that,disparaged and insulted her for trying to help an African,they even called her a scammer and they cancelled her WU gold account. She felt bad likewise me,but she is determined and asked me to seek other ways. Please guys,is there anyone in Australia who has ever sent money home or someone who is experienced about this should pls enlighten me on how to go about this. Is there no other ways to send money from Australia to Nigeria apart Western Union? Thanks all. Stay blessed.

Modified:
I would have gone to open a domiciliary account,but the stresses are much and GTB keeps stressing me out.

That story sounds incredulous. If she really wants to send you money, tell her to try World Remit.

sizmokool:
Good Evening fellow Nairalanders, please I need your assistance. I have a Bachelors in Engineering (Civil) but I have never really worked as an engineer. I have been working in a bank in Nigeria for over 5 years. I want to apply for PR but I want to know if I can apply using my banking experience because I read about VETASSESS (though I do not really understand it). Please if this is possible kindly explain how to go about it. Thank you and God bless. All ideas are welcome.

It's gonna be a tough one if your qualification does not match your work experience.

prost80:
For All Engineers in Australia, what are the differences between a Professional Engineer, Engineering Technologist and an Engineering Associate? I have the MSA booklet but will like more info. Please the reason i ask is if one wants to apply as a Materials Engineer (SOL list) . How does one know which of these terminologies he falls into? I have a Bachelors in Metallurgy( I work more in the field of Materials and Welding).

In simple terms, engineering technology is application-focused while engineering is theory-based. It's similar to the Nigerian system while graduates of polytechnics/bachelors of technology are considered as engineering technologists while those of bachelors in engineering, engineers. Read this for clarification: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering_technologist

Engineering Associates are those who do not have a fundamental bachelor's in a particular engineering field but by reason of long-term practice or a similar qualification in that field, they may qualify as associates.

If I'm correct, this is the descending order in hierarchy:

1. Engineering Manager
2. Professional Engineer
3. Engineering Technologist
4. Engineering Associate

I think in your case, you may qualify as a professional engineer.

izykvision0:
Praise the Lord! The wait is finally over.

Just got my grant for the family now. So happy.

Timeline:
IELTS: Aug. 02, 2014. 6.5, 7, 7.5, 7
Occupation: Statistician
Vetassess lodged: Aug.15, +ve result : Nov. 30.
Victoria state lodged: Dec. 1, nomination: Feb. 19, 2015.
Visa lodged: Mar. 10
Points: 55+5. (5yrs work exp. included).
Additional docs. required: Apr. 10. (PCC and polio)
Delay mail: Apr. 21
Grant: July 2nd, 2015.

Congrats and welcome. May your dreams come true.

scrollmeout:
Please does anyone know the cost of this second installment fee. I'm afraid my wife's IELTS is 18 months old. I can't seem to find the information on the new website

I'm very sure you'd not want to pay it. Go get her a letter from her school registry stating she schooled in English. Throw in her PSLC and SSCE cert. with it.

bossladymo1:


Thanks bro. We have updated centrelink as required....I even over-estimated sef, so centrelink should paying us the arrears....but they said it is only after we lodge our tax return.

As per employing a tax agent...since our income is only from work, and we dont have any other income that complicates matters e.g Foreign income....does that not make it pretty straight forward if we lodge it ourselves? What do you think?

NNB2012 was spot on.

In addition, being your first tax return, I'll advise you use a tax agent (of Africa or Nigeria descent, if possible. If not, never mind). You can use this to learn the ropes.

In any case, since this is your first year working in Australia, you'll be having almost all your tax returned to you. Call me for the party when the money rains in. LOL

BKings:
Hi all,

I have downloaded and read the Engineer Australia's MSA booklet but still have some little confusion. Before I get assessed by EA, am I going to write career episodes and prepare a CDR and pay the application fees or how exactly should I start? @NNB2012, manmeta, bossladymo, ferdimako, all engineers and non engineers who have done it, please help.

That's correct. I believe there's also a summary of your professional experience you have to write which is a compressed form of your three career episodes. The major task here is to write those episodes in a way that will capture the requirements listed in the booklet. I'll advise you sit for your IELTS too. It's a requirement by EA for your assessment as well.

[quote author=databasecareers post=35252184][/quote]

They should, as long as the reference letter stipulates your income and this can also be easily identified on your bank statements. Throw in your employment letter with these and you should be fine.

mrsdee:





Thanks manmeta and bossladyMo........I will be exactly 5years with company C on 30th june and I don't really mind using only that. I intend submitting eoi on 1st july. I was paid during nysc and like I stated before, the acct was closed some time back and I had to start applying for the printing of the statement. my worry is that since all the experiences were accepted during assessment , won't it be somehow if I decide to leave out some in visa application Stage.

You only need maximum of three instruments to validate your income, particularly your present one.

What I submitted for my present income then were a reference letter stating my responsibilities and remuneration, 6 months payslips and my employment/promotion letters.

For my previous engagements, I only submitted a reference and appointment letter each.

mrsdee:

Thanks for replying.
1.The reference letter for company C is according to the specification of dibp. States my job function and other details. Equally used it for my assessment.

2. I have pay slips for all the months for company C. Still employed there.

3. I don't have such letter

4. All the references are addressed to my assessing body.

5. For d experience with bank statements, the emoluments can be easily traced. My nysc acct is closed and they had to print the statement from their closed account history And it was compressed.

You are good to go. You don't need more than 6 months payslips for your present employment. Try to provide as many docs as possible while not being bogus at the same time.

mrsdee:
Hello house,

I need your help. I have the underlisted document as proof of my work experience in 3 companies. I need to know if they are sufficient for each of the companies or if I should remove any experience due to inadequate proof.

Company A (1yr)
reference letter
nysc certificate
closed bank account statement

Company B (1 yr 4 months)
appointment letter
salary certificate ( payment in cash)
reference letter
relieving letter

Company C ( 5yrs)
appt letter
reference letter
confirmation letter
promotion letter
payslip
bank statement

Cc. BossladyMo, bellong, manmeta, futuredon, ferdimako

1. What does your reference letter for Company C say?

2. How many months payslips are you using for Company C?

3. I guess you did NYSC programme at Company A. Do you have any letter stating their request for your placement with them? If you don't, it's not compulsory.

4. To whom are all your reference letters addressed?

5. Could your emoluments be easily traced on your bank statements?

missakomaye:

I hit 8.5 both in Listening and Speaking then writing and Reading na 6.5 each. Yet them give me overall as 7.5

General as I have heard from many is easier than academics because u are headed to school and they want to be sure you can cope academically as against the general day to day living and working.

I think Speaking and Listening are the same for both modules. They differ in Reading and Writing, if I'm correct.

.

scrollmeout:
Hi good people, I'm pleased to announce the arrival of my positive skills assessment from Engineers Australia. Thank God for his mercies.

There are two major milestones in the bid to securing a positive PR application. Congrats! You have reached the two. Lodge your EoI and start putting your Nigerian house in order. Prepare to say "Goodbye". Your journey begins soon.

bellong:


Some people like myself may find the academics easier to pass than the General test.
I usually don't do well writing an informal letter. Probably he is i n that category.

I've never seen anyone hit the 8.5 mark talk less a of 9.0 in IELTS Academic Module.

chuckdee13:
now I'm officially confused,so some assessing bodies require general n others require academic IELTS...On EA I didn't see any one that is required but all along I've decided to do academic cos this is what I've done before some years back.

EA accepts any of the two. Go for the general module. Easier to ace than academic.

IELTS vs. PTE

Now I am beginning to reconsider my stance about IELTS objectivity and if it has not been turned to a money-spinning machine.

A colleague of mine in Nigeria just rang me. He's written IELTS twice and about to write the third one when I flicked him NNBB2012's text about a guy's ordeal with IELTS and his decision to opt for PTE - which was positive to earn him migration points.

My friend fell below par in his two previous IELTS exams (always >7 in three bands and <7 in one) and had registered to take the third one. He registered for PTE, got an offer to do the test two days thereafter and he got his result the following day! Outcome? Full migration points!

Registration, test (including speaking) and result notification were all online, all in 3 days! No hassles trying to get a slot, doing the exams in two sessions and endlessly waiting for the results as the 2-week notice IELTS indicates for notification is now failing due to the enormous amount of applications/tests they have to process. Someone told me IELTS is raking in money more that all foreign embassies in Nigeria combined!

gogochocolate:
My dear friends the last few months have been critical for me with regards to this migration move. I and members of my family were granted 189 visa December last year by Australia DIBP and we were planning to move Australia later this year. Before that i had applied for Canada FSWP program and it was taking forever to process. I have hinged my prediction on the fact that it takes about three to four years to process based on the normal bottlenecks experienced with CIC Canada. However not long after i was granted the 189 Australia Visa, last two months precisely ,Canadian Immigration contacted me for medicals and shortly after i was asked for my passport and issued an immigrant visa. I am apprehensive now cause they are both coming at this time and the last date of entry for both differs by about some few month.
Please i need someone who is versed with the job opportunities in both countries to advise me. I have tried to calculate the cost of going to both countries to at least activate the Permanent residence status but the tickets fees are astronomical. I love Australia but what is drawing me to Canada is more of friends and Family network. In Australia, I don't have anyone to put me through but i understand Australia recognizes Nigerian Credentials and it would be easy for me to get a job as as a professional engineer.
My second issue is that while Engineers Australia has assessed me for migration i have not had any dealing with any engineering society in Canada inorder words i am not recognized as an engineer.
Please kindly advise.

LOL. I laughed in French. This what I called a good problem. Many people will give a toe to be in this situation. I was once in not so different a situation many years ago. I just got a job paying 10x my previous earning, I got a MSc tuition-free admission into a prestigious uni in Europe and another turn-key scholarship for another MSc programme in Europe - all at the same time. At the end of the day, I had to make a decision, a tough one at that. What I'm saying is that it's gonna be your call irrespective of what anyone tells you. Nonetheless, make that call an informative and prayerful one.

I may not be able to offer tipping advice with regards to your engineering field here in Oz but I believe securing employment anywhere in the world involves some stiff competitiveness and hard work. I have got friends in Canada and the local experience issue is not unobtainable there as well.

Population of Canada vs. Australia: 35 million vs 25 million. Go figure.

Consider geographical locations which place one of them at an advantage depending on what you're looking at. Also consider long-term prospects for your career, family and kids, particularly. May not be different for both.

Present state of the economy. Check indices and 5-year outlook. Check policy directions in terms of government investment decisions. Check recent migration policies. I could go on and on. But what I will advise is to do a multi-criteria analysis. You're an engineer and you know what I'm talking about. We all do this unconsciously sometimes to make a decision.

Having said that, I believe you can eat your cake and still have it but check the Cost-Benefit analysis.

Ifexsco:
Thannks....dis ligthens my mood!
yes my BEng wasequivalent as my EA letter says my BEng meets d current academic req for Professional Engineer (Skill level 1) then the last paragraph said dat myforiegn MSc is broadly comparable to an Aus Msc for purposes of awarding points for qualificatn under GSM.

Honestly, I think you should be fine. Quote and trust me. I read through your earlier text expressing your apprehension. Start preparing to migrate bro. You're good to go!

surveyor1:
Manmeta? I sight you

I just dey waka pass o! Na only me waka come.

scrollmein:


Thanks Manmeta for your indepth explanation. I obtained my Bachelors from Obafemi Awolowo University, ranked 2nd in Nigeria, 14th in Africa, 1791 in the world by Webometrics.

Great Ife! I'm also an alumna! I can't remember the website we used to check but OAU was sitting among the top 1500 then (May/June 2014). I was exempted from doing some courses because of this among other considerations.

In any case, this is not the major issue with EA's assessment. Your course contents/transcripts, episodes and CPDs are key.

scrollmeout:
Hello Engineers in the house(NNB2012, gogochocolate et al), i have a question please. When being assessed by EA, what determines the equivalence of your Nigerian degree to either Australian bachelors degree or Associate degree? Is it the duration of your course or the content of your Career Episodes? I am concerned because i need the 15 points. Thanks

1. The course contents of your transcripts: Their depth, relevance, breadth/coverage and how recently updated.

2. You must also write in-depth episodes that accurately capture your work experience and reflect the required demonstrations of competencies, particularly as demanded by EA's structure and outlines. Your summary must also be concise and on point. EA is also very much concerned about CPDs.

3. This is not official or written anywhere. But during a programme I took sometime last year, I was made to realise consideration is given to your school ranking. Is it among the first 1,000 or 1,500 in the world? I can't remember the website we used for this check but I'd look into my materials again.

By the way, this school ranking is used discreetly by all Oz assessing bodies.

malkinburg:
My brothers who have gotten positive assessment from engineers australia I need some assistance in figuring out how to go about my circumstance.

I have a first degree in chemical engineering. Since then I have only worked in environmental engineering related roles in a private setting. Now I intend to continue with masters in environmental Eng this Feb at Griffith uni. In my CDR competency demonstration report do I focus on chemical Eng role or env Eng role in my three career episodes as I intend to switch. PS I will be applying as an environmental engineer when the time comes. Please advice. I need to start early, PR on my mind

Since your first degree is in Chemical Engineering and you are looking for a PR as an Environmental Engineer (which is an integral part of Chem. Engr'g.), I'll advise that you tactfully write your CDR from a broad perspective of Chem. Engr'g. while you zero in on Env. Engr'g. where you said you have been practising extensively.

More importantly, I'll advise you check the details of the responsibilities of a Env. Engineer on the SOL. These will give you an heads-up as to how to match your experience with the stated duties.

spiggy:


Thanks Surveyor1

I like Melbourne but it could end up being Sydney depending on job availability

Congrats. Let me know if you eventually settle for Sydney. All the best.

iriferi: Finally Nigerians Can Smile... Visa Granted this Morning 15/09/2014. Applied 2/9/14, Pretoria Received it on 5/9/14. Did medicals Prior to Lodgement on 29/08/14. Did Vaccination on 12/09/14 when asked to. Thanks to Almighty God (for He is the One that touched and moved Everyone that needs to be Touched and moved), next to my parents and family members... To everyone here n out there who helped me in one way or the other. Surveyor1, Jenny K ( abeg no vex if I no mention ur name ooo ) ManMeta. Thanks to all of You. Finally I pray for all those that have applied and those about to apply, that you will be granted ur visas without ish.... PS BCIE abuja were the Brain behind this Success, they started right from the beginning and they have been superb all the way... Especially Nyuite...

Congrats! It's the beginning of good things and news to come.

bossladyMo:

Maybe they profile people before requesting the form sha. Cos on expatforum, I could see that some people were asked, whilee some were not. I will just have hubby and I have it at the ready, to be submitted if and when it is requested.

Don't have a CO yet...just recently lodged. No I have not been requested.

Just take it easy. Less is more. All the best.

surveyor1: manmeta. how you dey oo? which part of aussie you dey bro?

I'm good. And you? I'm in NSW.

gogochocolate:

Manmeta it is really nice to hear from you. I have been asked to apply for the visa and i am doing that now. I had some issues before but have scaled them. Thanks again for the response.

Good to know the progress you've made. Keep us posted.