http://www.hindu.com/2006/11/28/stories/2006112804770500.htm

Western Australia seeks skilled migrants from India

N. Ravi Kumar

43,000 jobs will be created by existing and new projects
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Clearing English proficiency test necessary to migrate
Levels required for professionals are relatively higher
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CHENNAI: From cooks, welders, plumbers, hairdressers, electricians, to engineers and accountants, the state of Western Australia is facing a shortage of skilled labour and professionals, and is keen on getting more skilled migrants from India.

Some 43,000 jobs, across a wide spectrum of activities, would be created by existing and new projects in the Australian state over the next ten years.

\\\"These vacancies will be filled up both by Australian nationals and those from abroad,\\\" said Bruno Delfante of the State Migration Centre at the Perth-based Small Business Development Corporation on Monday.

Addressing a meeting organised here by the Indo-Australian Chamber of Commerce, he said the economic growth and a strong outlook ahead drove the demand for the workforce in the State.

Moreover, \\\"we [in Western Australia] are an ageing population ... that is another reason for [seeking] skilled migrants.\\\"

India, he said, was Western Australia's top market for seeking skilled migrants, overtaking the U.K. market during the last one year. Apart from the requisite academic qualification and experience, knowledge of English was essential for such migrants.

Those planning to migrate must clear the English proficiency test. The levels required for professionals such as engineers, doctors and accountants are relatively higher. English knowledge was necessary not merely from the communication perspective, but to understand safety rules and regulations, Mr. Delfante said.

Urging migration agents in India to get in touch with the State Migration Centre before processing the applications, he said the organisation was a one-stop shop for skilled and business migrants.

Opportunities

Business opportunities were available in the areas of services, tourism, food and beverages and in the manufacturing sector.

The Small Business Development Corporation, according to Mr. Delfante, had drawn up a list of priority skills required in Western Australia.

It included refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanics, engineers, accountants, chefs, fitters, plumbers, bricklayers and plasterers.

Indo-Australian Chamber of Commerce director C. Sarat Chandran said India figured in the list of five countries identified by Australia for sourcing manpower.

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Speech by Thomas Friedman of The New York Times....

"When we were young kids growing up in America, we were told to eat our
vegetables at dinner and not leave them. Mothers said, 'think of the
starving children in India and finish the dinner.' And now I tell my
children: 'Finish your maths homework. Think of the children in India
who would make you starve, if you don't.'"