Filipino News Issue 170

ISSUE 170 ELEKSYON | www.migrantnews.nz | email: migrantnews@xtra.co.nz | www.filipinonews.nz | Facebook: Migrant News 11
MIGRANT NEWS - Immigration News, Settlement Support ... New Zealand’s first Migrant community newspaper. Published since 1991. Print. Online. Social Media.
Do job fairs work for migrants?
By Ricky Matthew
AUCKLAND – “A job
expo can be a happening
event for migrant jobseekers,
because it is a platform
to meet face-to-face with
several prospective
employers on one day and
at one venue,” said an
employment strategist.
“Basically, by attending an
expo you can override the
very tedious and time-consuming
task of randomly
contacting one employer
after another for months
on end,” he added.
This is the advice from
Mel Fernandez, who conducts
a Career Planning
Masterclass for highly
skilled migrants and is the
founder of the long-running
Migrant Expos that
were held in Auckland,
Hamilton, Wellington and
Christchurch.
These expos featured
dedicated booths for
recruitment consultants
and employers from different
industries such as hospitality,
retail, construction
and various trades to conduct
on-the-spot interviews
with jobseekers.
They also included wraparound
services provided
by NGOs and government
agencies.
“Of late there have been
countless job expos being
organised, because post-
Covid employers in many
sectors are experiencing
critical staff shortages,”
elaborated Fernandez.
“What is the attraction
of job expos, you may ask.
Well, for new migrants,
finding a first job offer at
one of these expos will
jumpstart their career -
they not only acquire the
elusive 'New Zealand experience',
but also acquire
the means to have a comfortable
life in their new
country.”
“In any case, job expos
can often provide a chance
for migrants to network
with potential employers,
recruiters and other job
seekers.
“It is also a golden
opportunity to gather valuable
information about the
job market and industry
trends.”
The Ministry of Social
Development (MSD) regularly
organizes job expos at
various service centres
across Auckland. While
some of these expos are
publicized directly with
clients, others are promoted
through the employment
Facebook page, ‘Job
Connect – Work and
Income'.
These job expos are open
not only to MSD clients,
but also to all job seekers
in the region.
“We have been running
these for several years and
MANILA – The Philippines
clinched for the first
time the title of Asia's Best
Cruise Destination 2023 at
the World Cruise Awards in
Dubai, United Arab
Emirates.
Tourism Secretary Christina
Garcia Frasco said the
award is a "big win for
Philippine tourism as it
reflects a resounding global
preference for our island
destinations".
"The Philippines’ recognition
as Asia’s Best Cruise
Destination complements
and reaffirms our status as a
must-visit destination for
cruise enthusiasts.
This prestigious award is
not only a testament to the
Philippines' allure as a cruise
destination but also a validation
of the collective dedication
of the tourism industry
and the Department of
Tourism," Frasco said.
"We are grateful that the
country's potential to offer
(above) New Lynn Community Link.
(right) Anneka Taylor Mitchell,
Placemakers
they are part of our longstanding
role of supporting
our clients and other job
seekers into employment,”
said Mark Goldsmith,
MSD Regional Commissioner
Auckland Central/
East.
“Job seekers can expect
to find support when
applying for jobs featured
at the job fairs,” explained
Mr Goldsmith. “Where job
seekers want to apply for
jobs, if they are clients of
ours then there are a range
of supports that we may be
able to offer in terms of
help with their CV, mockinterviews
and courses
that help build their confidence
and skills for work.”
Goldsmith further commented
about the support
offered for Migrant workers.
“Generally, when new
migrants have come to
New Zealand on work
exceptional cruise experiences
is now acknowledged
on a global scale."
Other countries that vied
for the award include India,
Japan, Singapore, South
Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan,
Thailand and Vietnam.
As of Oct. 16, the
Philippines is projected to
have 128 ports of call or
cruise calls in 2023 across
33 destinations across the
country.
These cruise ships are
visas, they have already
organised work as part of
the conditions of their visa
or have family members
who have sponsored them.
“However, we are currently
working with MBIE
to help a group of
Auckland migrants find
the type of employment
they came here for. They
came to New Zealand as
part of the accredited
employer programme, but
are now without employment.
“Through the Jobs and
Skills Hubs we have been
providing ongoing support
to help them find alternative
employment,”
Goldsmith added. “We are
running a series of workshops
where they can discuss
their skills and experience
and match with
employment opportunities.
“If a new migrant needs
PH NAMED ASIA’S BEST CRUISE DESTINATION
expected to bring in more
than 101,000 passengers and
some 50,000 in estimated
crew, according to a news
release Monday.
Among the arriving cruise
ships include the Seaborne
Encore, Silver Shadow,
MSC Poesia, Queen
Elizabeth, Norwegian Jewel,
Coral Adventure, MS Seven
Seas Explorer, MS Star
Breeze, Silver Whisper,
Oceania Cruises, Aidabella
and the Blue Dream Cruise
assistance finding work,
but is not a client of ours,
we would advise them to go
into their nearest Work
and Income office and talk
to our employment team
for further assistance.
“We also assist with
employment for refugees
who are part of the quota
programme. We contract
Red Cross to provide the
‘Pathways to Employment’
programme to help
those with a refugee background
prepare for and
achieve sustainable
employment. Assistance
includes access to appropriate
skills training courses
and work brokerage
services to help match
refugees to jobs.”
One employer
present at an MSD
job fair held recently
in New Lynn was
McDonald's. “We
have open positions for
crew members; that
includes McCafé staffers,”
said the company’s representative
at the event. “We
point attendees to our website,
where they can apply
for jobs.
“At the job fairs like
today, we meet jobseekers
of all ages. But typically it
is teenagers to mid-30s
who apply to us. They initially
work on the front
line, but we do offer opportunities
for advancement.
“This is an entry level
job, in the sense that you
don't need experience, you
can come in and you learn
on the job. University students
find that
which has
made its
maiden voyage to the
Philippines this month.
McDonald's offer a great
deal of flexibility when it
comes to their schedules.”
Another employer present
was Placemakers, represented
by Anneka
Taylor-Mitchell, the company’s
Talent Acquisition
Business Partner. “So,
we're here today to find
some good job seekers who
are keen on getting a job.
We have a range of roles
that we recruit for from
more entry level customer
service roles all the way up
to sales leaders.
“At the moment there
are definitely more candidates
than there were last
year. Also, there are less
vacancies than there used
to be.
“Today we had a 16-
year-old applicant, but also
people who are close to
retirement age. The average
is probably around
mid-20s to 30s.”
There are still MSD job
fairs to look out for during
August. They will be held
in Takapuna, Albany and
Waitakere.
Upcoming Job Fairs:
5 October - Takapuna
Community Link, 519
Lake Road, Takapuna.
19 October - Albany
Community Link, 44
Corinthian Drive, Albany.
26 October - Waitakere
Community Link, 36-44
Sel Peacock Drive,
Henderson.
Job seekers who are
interested should contact
MSD and register to
attend.
By Ma Teresa
Montemayor, PNA