Europeans chase ACT jobs

HIGHLY skilled professionals from financially-devastated eurozone countries are lining up to move to Canberra. Engineers, doctors and nurses have sent between 30 and 40 resumes to the ACT commerce chamber in the past few weeks alone. The rush began about three months ago and reached a peak just before Christmas, ACT and Region Chamber of Commerce chief executive Chris Peters said. ''The ACT has a skills shortage and this is a window of opportunity for businesses to bring skilled migrants to Australia now because when Europe starts to pick up they will stop coming,'' Mr Peters said. ''Europe is not going to stay as economically challenged as it is right now forever, this a short window of opportunity.'' Mr Peters said interest was coming from Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Ireland. ''There has been a surge in people making inquiries and we have been receiving letters and emails at the chamber with CV's attached,'' he said. ''These are highly-skilled professionals. ''I am not sure they have decided on Canberra, they may have tried a few places.'' Mr Peters said that he was sending resumes, with permission, to Canberra businesses and recruitment agencies. Canberra regional director of Hays recruitment firm Adam Shapley said he expected interest to increase after the new year period. ''Australia is well placed to ride out any impact on the global economy caused by European sovereign debt issues and in a global context our unemployment rate is low,'' Mr Shapley said ''As a result, in 2012 we expect to see increased interest from overseas candidates particularly from those in the eurozone towards relocating to Australia to take advantage of our jobs market.'' Mr Peters said Canberra may have an advantage over cities such as Sydney and Melbourne. ''Canberra is considered a regional area for certain classes of visa in the skilled area and the ACT Government has been active in supporting that,'' Mr Peters said. ''If you apply to NSW you will be put on a long waiting list, but the ACT will help people with their visa requirements.'' ACT Minister for economic development Andrew Barr said the territory had a State Migration Plan, that allowed it to identify, target and sponsor skills needed within the ACT for a wide range of occupations. The plan was introduced in November 2010 and it led to more than 500 visas being granted in the first 12 months of operation. Source:http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/europeans-chase-act-jobs/2412840.aspx