The Canterbury Migrant Employment Programme

What is the Canterbury Migrant Employment Programme?
The programme was launched in January 2003 and aims to assist work-ready migrants find employment and help relieve the skill shortage in the Canterbury Region. Jude, our full time Migrant Employment Coordinator liaises with employers and aims to match skilled migrants to suitable roles. This is a professional, quality assured Migrant Employment Services under contract to both Department of Labour’s Settlement Support Service & Work and Income New Zealand*. There is no charge to employers who choose to use this alternative recruitment option. To date, we have placed over 400 skilled migrants and refugees into work in the Canterbury Region.

What is the aim of the Programme?
Developed as a response to the identified difficulties that skilled migrants have in finding work, the Programme aims to assist in reducing the significant shortage of skills in key industries in the Canterbury Region. It also works to enable improved liaison between employers and migrants at both the recruitment and post-employment stage. Many migrants are professionals, skilled and work-ready with tertiary degrees and/or extensive experience in a range of fields. Our aim is to assist them to find suitable employment within our region which will, as such, stimulate Canterbury’s economic growth.                                                                                                                                                          

How can the Programme work for Employers?
Register your interest in this programme and advise us of your employment needs by contacting Jude who will provide:

• CVs and letters of introduction from migrants that match your skill and labour requirements.
• Follow up, liaison and discussions with respect to potential employees.
• Arrange job interviews if required – please be aware that, through this Programme, employers are able to contact migrants directly should they wish to.
• Ongoing advice to members and migrant employees on appropriate training programmes to expand employee skills and facilitate promotion in the workplace.
• Advice on employment agreements, cultural issues and any other matters relevant to employing migrants.
• On-going support including employment advice from our Employment Services Team.

• Advice on current NZ Immigration policy and procedures for employing  migrants.

 What if I am unsure about employing Migrants? 

Jude Ryan O-Dea - Migrant Employment Coordinator