IV - Initial Assessment

On July 2009, communication with Bertram “Bert” Ocon started. Requirements were requested and they were sent immediately. Positive response came in and the agent said I am legible for migration. Learning my fate, my other colleagues also tried their luck. The 2 others were not legible for the fact that they did not put into use what they have finished in college. This means that the certificate one has should fit the job he/she is in. ()

Initial Requirements requested: (1) Resume, (2) Detailed job description, (3) Details of relatives in Australia, if any and (4) If spouse is a professional and working, same details are also required.

The result of my initial assessment, based from Bert, qualified me to apply for 175 Skilled – independent visa. The Australian profession where my qualification fitted in is in the code ASCO 2126-13, Production or Plant Engineer. It was listed in the 400+ occupation in the critical skill list, then, required by Australia. If the occupation is listed in the critical skill list, it enables quicker processing in the 2nd stage by Immigration, says Bert. Though I haven’t undergone the first stage at that time, it sounded good.

That time, I was just 31 years old and points say I am eligible for the same rating until I reach 35. Plenty of time left, but focus was on the expiry of the IELTS certificate. I would usually pass the assessment, but with a known successful applicant from him, I proceed with the process. I emailed my intention to apply and he replied quickly with his list of requirements and the fees of course.

In July 2011, the critical skill list, now called SOL went down to only 180+. Fortunately, my profession is still listed in it. The codes were also changed.

Continued from Agent Wanted

To be continued . . .

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III - Agent Wanted

With only 24 months due on the certificate, I searched for people who can help me. I am a very cautious person then and without much confidence in applying directly, an agent’s help was needed. The first assessment I had was from True Blue Migration. The details they need were sent on January 2009 and had positive result. They said that with those qualifications, I am eligible for migration and their money back guarantee sounded nice but seeing the AU$3,000 migration fee made me back off and just had my name listed in the waiting list. ()

This changed the focus when listening to people. Coming back from the break and hearing the result, I would usually ask for people’s experience or ask for those who knows people who has successfully migrated. Also, I searched more of the requirements and what preparations are needed when applying for a migrant visa especially those which I have heard from friends and acquaintances. You can check www.liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au  for preparation needs.

Some months have passed and pressure is building up so I became keener on looking for those people who know our friend who left for Australia to ask who his agent is. I was fortunate to get his contact details from a co-worker. We at once asked for the agent’s email. A prompt reply was received with the details we need together with a note advising us that he is good though has a bad temper.

There are some sites that has assessment calculator in it where one can encode data to tell you if you are qualified but this is not that reliable. The best way, in my opinion, is to give your details to migration experts and let them do the assessment. At this starting point, no fees are required yet.

Continued on Initial Assessment

Continued from Initial Preparations

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II - Initial Preparations

Most of the requirements listed are already available or easy to produce except for the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Reading the details in obtaining it, I asked my wife’s approval on spending some amount to check if I can pass the quota for the profession I am in. I didn’t see it will be easy as the highest rating is 9.0 for each of four categories and I should get a minimum of 7.0 for each one of them. ()

For the other qualifications, you can check SOL at www.immi.gov.au. In the website are also the required marks and averages for specific qualifications.

I worked with a multinational company and I am fortunate to have worked with other race that helped me gain confidence in speaking in English. Joecy agreed and on the next holiday/break I had, my priority next to being with my family was to register in IDP in Makati, for the test. The break then was short so it was tailored that I can reserve a seat as soon as possible after arrival in the Philippines and takes the test a week after. Everything was pre-arranged as they have a website and contact numbers in it. The exam took place on 28 November 2008. After 13 days, the result was sent and I passed with all areas with at least 7.0. The certificate says it is valid for 24 months.

On the same year, there was an opportunity to spend holidays in Australia. Joecy and I had the same thing in mind – that it will help going to Australia first before applying for a visa as immigrant. On December 2008, me and my colleagues here in Papua New Guinea went there.

In the List, they asked if the applicant has a relative in Australia. I contacted my cousin and agreed to help me.

Later I learned that it has no bearing going to Australia first as a tourist. But that Australian tourist visa, I believe, helped me in obtaining a 10 year, multiple, US Visa. Only immediate family can help in sponsoring an applicant, but they can help, as a reference person is needed.

Continued from The Opportunity
Continued on Agent Wanted

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I - The Opportunity

“Accept the inevitable”

2008. While working in PNG, my eyes are wide open for opportunities. Most people complain about the security condition and getting sad about being far away from their family, instead of doing thing like they do, I searched for chances where I can grow and/or gain something – but not limited to them. ()()

“Seek and you will find”

Having growth in mind, on every occasion I have attended, aside from the good chit chats, I more often listen to stories where a person either gets something big thru luck or by working hard.

There were people who started from scratch and now are successful business people. There are also people who get hired (pirated) by other company with better package. Another big positive the PNG offers is the chance to get a tourist visa to, as I have heard, anywhere in the world and this is something that even some rich Filipinos are getting hard time with.

I used a great number of hours on my first year reading self help books which gave me more confidence and courage in bringing to reality whatever opportunity that I may hear that created a positive result.
After only a year working abroad, one of my Filipino co-workers resigned and migrated to Australia. Hearing that it is possible, I wasted no time and did a research on the requirements.

Continued on Initial Preparations

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Don't go home

During the early years in college, I collected comic books as an investment when I learned that like other form of arts, its price appreciates. I bought some of it and saw other investing materials from the shop where I bought those comic books. As time went by, my collection evolved and I later collected Sports card - basketball to be exact.

Usually they are bought in packs of 5 to 10 and it is not easy to get good ones and the better players are sold at higher price.

It was a hit and many people in Manila spend fortune to get rare cards of their favorite players. I tried to sell some, earned instantly and I got more interested in it. My collection grew and sold more cards.

When I had a binder full of cards, it just came out of my mind that I haven't seen any shops in our province (Bulacan) that sells cards as such. My mother's owns a store and she agreed on helping me sell them. I was a working student then and I showed my collection and plan to my co-workers and they wished me luck.

It was a Sunday then when I was about to go to the store. I happily left the house and on the other side I saw my uncle. He is a famous in our place as he is a good basketball coach and an influential person. I excitedly showed my collection and told him my plans. After listening to my story, without emotion on his face, he said "No body will buy those".

My excitement turned into sadness and I felt devastated with his words. I just smiled then waved good bye to him and walked… slowly... going to the store. After some paces, I ended up standing in the corner where I can see the store or and our house. My mind went blank for a while.

When I came back to life, I just smiled and told to myself "I'm selling cards". So I went off to the store, posted 2 banners with the words "NBA cards for sale".

After only a month of trading cards, form my profit, I can already often eat at nice restaurant and fast foods chains. That was "cool". Every Sunday, kids and teenagers would ask me for new items. I actually became famous. After 3 months, I was already paying for my monthly lodging fee in Manila. The following semester, I paid for my school fee and I made my mother very happy. I also saved some money in the bank.

My trading in the province ended after only a year when competition came in and more serious businessmen erected shops like the ones in Manila.

Fortunately, I did not dwell on the worldly things that I gained. What I considered to be of highest value is the decision that I made. Without that decision, I would have never earned those.

I can still remember that day when I went on even if there was resistance from a known person. After that, every time I want to do something good and fair and people will say I cannot do it, or if any other resistance comes in, I would tell myself "Glenn, don't go home".

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Book: Fish!

This thin book is a fable about a demotivated and weary people and area in a company and how it was transformed into a happy and inciting one. This is a simple leadership book that can help not only leaders in offices but also in any type of workplace -  and outside of it too!.

The ingredients based from it are:
1. Choose your Attitude.
2. Be present
3. Play.
4. Make their day.

The said ingredients to a better workplace are basic and inside the book are explication of them. On our Toastmasters meeting, "Attitude" was used as a word for the day and what is catchy is when he said that "it is contagious so be careful what you catch". The author made is easy for us to understand the importance of it and that the other 3 are nothing without it.

The first book about leadership that I have read is also a fable - "The Monk who sold his Ferrari" by  Robin Sharma and I will follow other coming fables that is about self help and leadership.

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Dan Brown - Lost Symbol

With 2 hours on the waiting line in Ninoy Aquino International Airport, 5 hour trip from Philippines to Port Moresby (PNG) and more than 8 hours of waiting and transport from Port Moresby to Lae, this book kept me from sleeping. The book hardly left my hands. For me Dan Brown did it again. The pacing was well done that I did not want to miss what happens next.()

Jeffrey Deaver's "Twisted" is the book that triggered me to look for more of its type and this one has twist up to almost the last chapters. In this story, Robert Langdon had problem with deciphering a lot which is quite different from the other 2 bestsellers he had which I believe is good. I am a fan of Sherlock Holmes and he also has his downs meaning he is only human and it bores me if all the time, the protagonist doesn't make mistakes. There are things to be learned which are very true.

Same as with other novels, Dan Brown puts all the trivia he can put and he never ceased to amaze me. And same with the other novels, there are a lot of things that the author considered to be facts so I believe I have to check some of the things that are quite sensitive.

This is his 5th book and I have read all of his novels. This one plus the last 2 - Angels and Demons and The Da Vinci Code are my favorites. From "The Da Vinci Code" which had a lot of opposition because of what he wrote about the Bible, in this novel, it is the hero.

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