2015-Feb 27: Canterbury Skills and Employment Hub letter of engagement

Visa Pak 200: Guidelines for staff on changes of wording in the letter issued by the Canterbury Skills and Employment Hub.

Visa Paks

27 February 2015

Canterbury Skills and Employment Hub letter of engagement

In addition to the normal requirements of WK2.10.5 an employer:

  • requesting approval in principle (AIP) based on an offer of employment in any occupation in the Canterbury region; or
  • supporting an individual work visa application based on an offer of employment in ANZSCO Skill Level 3, 4 or 5 occupations in the Canterbury region

Must:

  • engage with the Canterbury Skills and Employment Hub (the Hub or CSEH) when attempting to recruit suitable New Zealand citizens or residence class visa holders; and
  • provide evidence from the Hub of the outcome of this engagement, with the AIP or work visa application.

An amendment has been made to the letter of engagement issued by the Hub in regards to the wording on the outcome of a Labour Market Check (LMC). The wording has been enhanced to make it clearer for staff and employers. The amendment does not alter the context of the letter of engagement.

Previous wording

We can confirm that the position has been registered as a vacancy with the CSEH and that the CSEH:

  • Is satisfied that the labour market test requirement has been met;
  • Is not satisfied that the labour market test requirement has been met;
  • Recommends further consideration by Immigration New Zealand;

There are/are no suitable New Zealand citizens or residents available who can take up the work on offer or be trained;

Amended wording

We can confirm that the position has been registered as a vacancy with the CSEH and that the CSEH:

  • Is satisfied that the labour market test requirement has been met; there are not suitable New Zealand citizens or residents available who can take up the work on offer or be trained.
  • Is not satisfied that the labour market test requirement has been met; there are suitable New Zealand citizens or residents available who can take up the work on offer or be trained.
  • Recommends further consideration by Immigration New Zealand; see notes below.

There are/are no suitable New Zealand citizens or residents available who can take up the work on offer or be trained.

When ‘Recommends’ is selected on Letters of Engagement

When the ‘recommends’ option is checked, further consideration by Immigration Officers as to whether there are suitable New Zealand citizens or residents available or not is required.

Any letters of engagement with recommendations checked will have copies of advertising attached to them, and will be forwarded to the Hub Mail Box by a Skills Broker. The Hub mailbox administrator should attach both the letter of engagement and evidence of advertising to the relevant application before allocation to an Immigration Officer.

Do not conduct a LMC via the LMC portal for applications where a Hub letter of engagement is mandatory

There continues to be instances where LMCs are being conducted for applications where a Hub letter of engagement is mandatory. An additional LMC is not required for Hub applications. If there is confusion regarding a letter of engagement form the Hub, Immigration Officers should email the Skills Broker directly who provided the letter and seek clarification.

Action

Please ensure all Hub Mailbox Administrators and staff processing work visa applications, for which a letter of engagement from the Hub is mandatory, are aware of the amended letter.