Recent graduates get professional start
Media Release – 26 May 2008
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) today welcomed the start of the first professional year (PY) program for recent international graduate students.
The PY concept, introduced in September 2007, is aimed at enhancing the employment opportunities for international graduates who were unable to apply directly for permanent General Skilled Migration, and have met the criteria to remain in Australia on an 18-month temporary skilled graduate visa.
‘Sixteen students will take part in a PY in computer sciences, which has evolved as result of close collaboration between the Australian Computing Society (ACS), DIAC and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR),’ a departmental spokesman said.
‘It will be administered by ACS which, among other things, is the professional organisation responsible for assessing the skills of information and communications technology (ICT) professionals for migration purposes,’ he added.
The year-long program, which combines formal learning and workplace experience, will familiarise participants with the norms and values in Australian workplaces as well as the Australian employment market and workplace culture. It will teach participants how to communicate effectively and professionally in the Australian workplace and will include an internship and professional mentoring.
‘The PY provides a golden opportunity for Australian businesses as skilled graduate visa holders have full work rights and the provision of work placements will enable them to tap into a rich source of future employees,’ the spokesman said.
The successful completion of a PY will provide access to additional points under the general skilled migration points test if participants later apply for a permanent general skilled migration visa.
‘There are a number of assessing authorities that are currently preparing or investigating their own options for a PY program. It’s encouraging to note the high level of interest expressed by assessing authorities on the potential that a PY program has in their industry,’ the spokesman said.
Information on the PY in computer science can be found at:
www.acs.org.au/index.cfm?action=show&conID=pyp
Information on the skilled graduate visa can be found at: www.immi.gov.au/skilled
Professional associations interested in receiving information on developing a PY program can contact the department by email at: skilled.migration@immi.gov.au
Media enquiries: (02) 6264 2244