I get so many spam emails that it puts me off even looking at potential CV's. I'm sure many feel the same way and it goes in the to hard basket. I think phoning would be much more successful or as you say walking in and ask. I'm just curious how is the construction market in the UK at the moment?

Hi Gaven

I am an employer and I can tell you I probably get at least 6 emails a week from UK plumbers/gasfitters looking for a job, or young fellas wanting an apprenticeship.

As far as UK people go - they are no use to me without a NZ licence, and this is pretty much what I tell them.  I understand what you are saying - and it is chicken and egg stuff, but essentially anyone from the UK that comes without a NZ licence is worth as much as a labourer as they cannot work unsupervised despite their experience etc.  They usually think this is pretty shitty - and rightly so, but that is the situation - I would need to put a tradesman with them until such time as they had been here for two years or had a NZ licence.

So - essentially if you are willing to get a job where you are "supervised" while you gain your NZ qualifications, and therefore get paid less - you may have more luck.

For the record, we aren't hiring at the moment, and I still think your best bet would be Christchurch where construction is starting to move.

Hi Gaven

With that attitude then you should do well - I have found the opposite - i.e. that it is quite a shock when UK trained plumbers and gasfitters realise that their qualifications are not automatically recognised and that they would be paid more like apprentice wages.  Most are horrified - I think if you can get this message across - that you understand the situation with regards to supervision and that you want on the job work experience in a New Zealand enviroment then that should stand you in good stead.

I hear Chch is slowly taking off, but other posters on here from that area would have a better idea.  Auckland is also meant to be improving.  Wellington is flat, but there are lots of little centres probably looking for tradesmen.  I was talking to a plumber from Hastings/Napier the other day and he said tradesmen are like hens teeth there - so that is another place to consider - and the weather there is wonderful.

Good luck!

Hi Gaven, if you fancy Christchurch there is a very good company Called:-
…
DAVID BROWNE CONTRACTORS LTD. P.O.BOX 15056, davidbrowne.co.nz
They are Heating and Ventilating engineers who do the big building site work, they call it `Mechanical Services` here,  they also do gasfitting and employ plumbers, the boss is David Browne who is a gasfitter from way back actually he is from Coventry so he may actually like u.k. guys unlike our P.G.D. Board. Don’t know if they need anyone at the moment but with many multi story building in the pipeline they will in the future, give his web site a look and contact from there, good luck, cheers

Gain some experience with an experienced professional plumber then later on start your own plumbing business

what i suggest you is gain some plumbing experience and then start your own business. Getting jobs these days is like finding a pin in a haystack.

If you are just coming out to work - IE; not to work for yourself but for a company or someone else then I wouldn't bother going to any length to do anything, just go on to an exemption license  - if you are good at your job then you will soon earn just the same as anyone else in the industry - certainly just the same as other registered and licensed persons anyway just not maybe certifiers/business owners.

If you were coming out with the intent to start your own business then i wouldn't bother with the boards international equivalency protocol - probably easier and quicker and less stressful to just do an adult apprenticeship - if you are good it can be done in less than 2 years - apply for and sit your registration exam at every opportunity, if you fail just resit and resit - its not hard, they have the reg exams every 6 months

Interestingly I gave serious consideration shifting to Britain 18-24 mths ago , through all of my research the process there is no better and the associated costs trebled - I don't think there is as much emphasis on licensing however, plenty of people would give me a job without equivalent license but I was looking long term to have my own - the pay rates were'nt that flash either unless you were in London but then you have to pay for London housing...

Swings and roundabouts - the grass is always greener!