ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS

  1. New South African Number
  2. South African Visit November 2016
  3. Four Major Express Entry Changes
  4. Mining & Telecommunications Skilled Shortages
  5. Job Vacancies

MATRIXVISA’S NEW SOUTH AFRICAN NUMBER

Two weeks ago our telecommunication service provider in South Africa closed its doors permanently without prior warning – as a result we lost our phone number.

Our new South African Office Phone Number is: 010 285 0493.  

SOUTH AFRICAN VISIT NOVEMBER 2016

Matrixvisa will be touring through South Africa during November and December 2016.

Saturday, 26 November (10:00 am – 4:00pm) – Sunday, 27 November (8:00 am – 4:00pm)
Meetings will be held at City Lodge at Oliver Tambo International Airport, O R Tambo Airport Road, Johannesburg, 1627, South Africa.
Please do not travel to City Lodge at Barbara Rd, which is 5 km away from the Airport. Most GPS take drivers to the City Lodge at Barbara Rd, which is the wrong City Lodge Hotel.

Monday, 28 November (12:00 pm – 6:00pm)
Meetings will be held at Molopo Travel Inn, Vryburg North West Province

Tuesday, 29 November (4:00 pm – 8:00pm)

Meetings will be held at Holiday Inn Express Durban, Umhlanga Rocks, Kwa-Zulu Natal

Wednesday, 30 November (12:00 pm – 5:00pm)
Meetings will be held on the 3rd Floor, Regus House, Fairview Office Park
Ring Road, Greenacres, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape

Thursday, 1 December (12:00 pm – 5:00pm)
Meetings will be held at Office 301, 3rd Floor, Eikestad Mall, 43 Andringa Street, Stellenbosch, Western Cape

BOOK A MEETING

Our consultation fee is $150 (for a 1 hour consultation).

TWO STEPS TO BOOK A MEETING
1. Assessment of documents
2. Invitation to have an initial consultation meeting

IMPORTANT FACTS
– We are not paid to find work for our clients (that is not legal in most parts of Canada), but we assist them in methods to look for work and in legal advice to immigrate.
– If your enquiry relates to obtaining legal advice, such as whether you are eligible to immigrate to Canada
– Regulation requires that Cobus Kriek signs a contract with you before providing any legal advice.

Start Here.

FOUR MAJOR EXPRESS ENTRY CHANGES

Four changes will become effective on 19 November 2016. I am aware of 3 industry organizations that are lobbying to try and stop the changes.

Change 1. In some countries (South Africa, United Kingdom, etc.) medical doctors study 7 years and obtain a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery (abbreviated MBChB). As the Medical Council of Canada only defines this as one degree, medical doctors have in the past only been awarded points for one degree in the combination factor ‘Education-Language’, a potential loss of 25 points. Under the new changes, MBChb will be awarded the same points in this combination factor as those who were previously recognised as having two or more credentials. A 25-point difference could place many doctors within the selection mark.

Change 2.  The biggest change was that Offers of Arranged Employment (With a Labour Market Impact Assessment) will no longer result in 600 extra points, but only 50 points for skill levels 0, A and B. Skill Level 00 will qualify for 200 points if there is a job offer. Skill Level 00 includes the following:

  • 0011 Legislators
  • 0012 Senior government managers and officials
  • 0013 Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services
  • 0014 Senior managers – health, education, social and community services and membership organizations
  • 0015 Senior managers – trade, broadcasting and other services not elsewhere classified.
  • 0016 Senior managers – construction, transportation, production and utilities

This implies that many foreign workers with work permits based on a LMIA would become ineligible for permanent residence in any federal immigration class. These foreign workers would have to use the Provincial Nominee Class in the province where they are working to apply for permanent residence.

In  Alberta there are already long waiting periods (about 18 months).  We expect the waiting period to increase to 36 months, unless the quota for the provinces are increased in 2017 from the existing 47 800 immigrants in Provincial Nominee Class of 2016.

In British Columbia has a complex point system with a big emphasis on highly qualified people with high salaries in remote areas. Those with lower wages close to Vancouver will not qualify.

In Ontario just the first phase of approving the employer is taking 18 months.  That approval is followed by another 12 months for an applicant submission of another 12 months. This processing time will also skyrocket.

Essentially the Federal Government has placed the pressure on the provincial governments to assist those working on work permits to remain in Canada. This also mean that employers might be forced to apply for a second LMIA to keep their workers until the permanent residence is issued.

Change 3. The following work permits (without LMIAs) will also be considered as Offers Arranged Employment (allowing individuals to gain points as above, No 2):

  • Individuals with a work permit issued under an international agreement, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
  • Individuals with a work permit issued under the ‘significant benefits to Canada’ criteria, such as Intra-Company Transfers.
  • In these two cases the foreign worker must have worked for the employer for at least 12 months and the Employer must be named on the work permit

Change 4.  Canadian educational credentials are also provided extra points:

  • 15 points, if the foreign national has an eligible credential from a one-year or two-year post-secondary program; and
  • 30 points, if the foreign national has either:

an eligible credential from a post-secondary program of three years or more,
an eligible credential from a university-level program at the master’s level or at the level of an entry-to-practice professional degree for an occupation listed in the National Occupational Classification matrix at Skill Level A for which licensing by a provincial regulatory body is required, or an eligible credential from a university-level program at the doctoral level.

Points are only assigned for Canadian study experience if, for the purpose of obtaining the credential, the foreign national:

  • studied in Canada at a Canadian educational institution;
  • was enrolled in full-time study or training for at least eight months; and
  • was physically present in Canada for at least eight months.

MINING & TELECOMMUNICATIONS SHORTAGES

In the previous newsletter we mentioned that the Canadian Agriculture industry has a shortage of 59 000 people.

Other industries are also reporting shortages:

  • It was reported by the Canadian Mining Industry Human Resources that the expected shortage of people in mining will be between 84 000 and 126 000from 2016 to 2025. The specifics can be seen at page 12 of the following report. On page 15 the projected shortages for specific occupations are provided. Keep in mind that many mines (coal, potash, uranium, iron ore, etc.) have closed in the past 2 years and these unemployed Canadians will get first choice at all jobs. Nonetheless eventually it is likely that there would be cases where Canadians cannot be found and foreign workers can be brought in to fill the vacancies, but it might take time before the demand for skilled individuals exceed the domestic supply of people.
  • The CBC (www.cbc.ca) referred to a report regarding the Information and Communication Technology Council in an article published on 21 October 2016.  According to the report there will be a shortage of 200 000 people in Information technology jobs by 2020 and their will not be enough people inside Canada to fill all the vacancies.

The challenge is now to get foreign nationals working in Canada to obtain their permanent residence without express entry.

JOB VACANCIES

EMERGENCY MEDICAL PHYSICIANS
Several Emergency Medical Specialists positions exist in Alberta. We are working with our recruitment partner Medrec to fill these positions. Applicants can send their resumes to barbara@medrec.co.za.

The requirements are as follows:

FRCPC: Applicants must have the South African equivalent of the FRCPC (Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada)

OR

CCFP(EM): Certificate of Special Competence in Emergency Medicine of the Canadian College of Family Physicians

http://www.cfpc.ca/ExamofSpecialCompetenceinEmergencyMedicine/
http://www.cfpc.ca/International_Accreditation/

MEDICAL DOCTORS
Six family physicians are required for a Saskatchewan town.  Medical doctors must have passed the Medical Council of Canada’s Evaluation Examination and Part 1 Examination (both). Applicants must please send their resumes to Barbara@medrec.co.za

LABORATORY / SCIENTIFIC GLASS BLOWER
An Employer in Vancouver is searching for a Scientific/Laboratory Glass blower:

Duties as follows:

  • Designs and constructs glass apparatus for teaching and research purposes according to the tolerances and special shapes required for the application, and by incorporating special combinations of glass, metal, or other components into the design.
  • Consults on the feasibility and the cost of fabrication of custom glassware by discussing various design possibilities, and recommending the most economical and efficient way of fabricating for the particular application.
  • Designs glass apparatus or equipment for teaching or research projects by interpreting the sketches or oral instructions given by faculty, research personnel and graduate students.
  • Interacts with other personnel in Science Technical Center to co-ordinate completion of projects requiring expertise from more than one technical area.
  • Designs special tools or jigs required for the fabrication of a piece of glassware because of its specific shape or required tolerance by preparing detailed drawings and specifying materials. Then the tools and jigs are fabricated, by other craftsmen, according to the detailed drawings.
  • Maintains and routinely services all of the specialized equipment utilized in scientific glassblowing, such as annealing ovens, glass lathes, glass saws.
  • Maintains accurate records using a database program in order to ensure sufficient inventory of materials is on hand, and so that cost-recovery invoices can be produced.
  • Operates, maintains, and repairs instruments in departmental facilities.
  • Troubleshoots complex scientific research instruments, electronic instruments, electromechanical equipment, and computers by procuring the required parts for repair from various vendors, and subsequently installing them to ensure that the equipment meets the original specifications. Difficult cases are solved in collaboration with other staff in the Science Technical Center or by contacting manufacturers.
  • Produces, modifies and maintains documentation, instructions, and log books needed for the use and maintenance of scientific instruments.
  • Performs teaching and demonstrations of scientific glassblowing as required.
  • Maintains a clean, orderly, and safe shop.
  • Attends training sessions (both on and off campus).
  • Becomes familiar with new instruments, lab and computer equipment and procedures by studying manuals or other information, and becoming familiar with the use of new equipment.
  • Performs other duties and responsibilities consistent with the position title and description on request.

SENIOR SOILS ENGINEER / ROAD ENGINEER
We are currently looking for a Senior Soils Technician /Road Engineer for an employer in the Saskatchewan Province:

The duties will be as follows:

  • Oversee and perform laboratory testing, observation, and inspection of construction materials (e.g.soils, aggregate, and asphalt) in accordance with ASTM.  ASTM (See astm.org) International is an international standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services. Some 12,575 ASTM voluntary consensus standards operate globally. The organization’s headquarters is in the USA)
  • ASTM, founded in 1898 as the American Section of the International Association for Testing Materials, predates other standards organizations such as the BSI (1901), IEC (1906), DIN (1917), ANSI (1918), AFNOR (1926), and ISO (1947).
  • Supervise lab staff in regard to inspections, project requirements, testing procedures, and results to testing requirements. While doing so you must adhere to strict safety and environmental standards.
  • Monitor and test process functions daily, Prepare and record accurate information to maintain test results database.
  • Use accepted methods to inspect, sample, and test aggregates, asphalt, or other materials for the purpose of quality control. (grain size analysis, atterberg limits, density etc)
  • Daily QC and QA testing of materials and mixtures to stay in compliance with contract specifications and quality control tolerance to ensure products meet or exceed requirements of the appropriate agency or customer.
  • Maintain quality control manual by keeping track of all certification on lab equipment that requires annual, bi-annual, and quarterly re-certification.
  • Keep track of all mix designs verifications, re-certifications and transfers.

Requirements:

  • 10 years of asphalt and mix design testing (Marshall) experience.
  • Verbal, written communication, mathematical and time management skills are a must.
  • Valid driver’s license.
  • Be able to work outdoors, long hours, and travel throughout Saskatchewan.
  • Responsibility for yourself and others in a safety conscious environment.
  • Proven history of strong attention to detail.

AGRICULTURAL MECHANICS
We are in need of agriculture mechanics with extensive experience with John Deere, Case, New Hollland, etc.

VETERINARY DOCTORS
Matrixvisa is searching for two veterinary doctors interested in coming to Canada. One is in Eastern Saskatchewan (SK) and the second one is in Southern Alberta (AB).  The SK position is a general veterinary position (agriculture and pets). The AB position has a strong focus on agriculture.

South African Veterinary doctors must complete 4 examinations with the National Board of Veteran Medicine. See http://www.nbvme.org

  1. Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination (BCSE) – continuously throughout the year – anywhere in South Africa with Prometric.
  2. North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (Navle). Navle – twice a year (deadline for application is 1 April for and 1 Aug) anywhere in South Africa with Prometric.
  3. Pre Surgical assessment (PSA) is new (couple of time a year) completed in Prince Edward Island and Saskatoon. This is new as there is a high failure rate with the CPE
  4. Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE), 8 times per year.

This process will take 12-18 months.

The employers will consider to bring someone on board as a technician if the person has completed the first examination.

There is a potential of shared ownership for the correct person.

MILLWRIGHT / FITTER (fixing planes within sawmills)
The Certified Planerman will be responsible for preventive maintenance, repair, installation and modification planer equipment.
Qualified Fitter or millwright with extensive experience in repairing planes within saw mills.

SAW FILER / SAW DOCTOR (repairing saws in sawmills)
Qualifications: Expert previous circular saw filer experience.
Double Cut Head Rig experience is required.
Related experience with band saws will be considered a definite asset.

CATTLE WORKERS
Matrixvisa has been requested by a Saskatchewan recruiter to search for cattle workers.

FARM SUPERVISOR-TRUCK DRIVER
A Farm Supervisor/ truck driver is needed for a farm near Kenora, Saskatchewan.

APPLIANCE REPAIR TECHNICIAN
We are searching for a technician for a Saskatchewan employer that can repair fridges, freezers, washing machines, etc.

SINCERELY, 
COBUS KRIEK & 
THE MATRIXVISA TEAM

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