It’s that time of year again and the Skilled Migrant Programme is back in full swing! As always, thank you for your support for Victoria University's Workplace Communication Programme, fondly known as the Skilled Migrant Programme.

For those of you who don’t know, the Skilled Migrant Programme is a combination of a workplace communication course (run by Victoria University) and an internship, which is aimed at highly-qualified migrants who are either underemployed or unemployed.

A key element to the success of the Skilled Migrant Programme is an unpaid internship of six weeks at a local business. This is major opportunity for the migrants to experience, first-hand, the culture of the New Zealand workplace. And it’s also a chance for you to benefit from their skills!

Since 2005, organisations across Wellington have taken in over 150 migrant interns, and discovered the many benefits that come from being part of this programme, which is recognised by the EEO Trust Work & Life Awards.

It’s an opportunity for you to be involved in something that will really make a difference—to a skilled migrant, to New Zealand, and to your own organisation.

What follows are the profiles of this year’s skilled migrants.

• Office Administration and Customer Service
• Accounting and Finance
• Policy and Research
• Data/Business Analysis
• IT
• Lab Technology, Health
• Engineering

If after reading their summaries, you feel that any one of these people may have the skills and background you need to:
- complete an outstanding project,
- complement the skills in a team,
- develop coaching and supervisory skills,
- or even grow an understanding of the value of diversity

This internship is for six weeks only.

Please contact me, Pia Penaranda on 04 473 6699 or pia@thejohnsongroup.co.nz.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Pia Penaranda
Programme Coordinator
Skilled Migrant Programme
The Johnson Group

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Office Administration and Customer Service

Yan - Office Administration, Customer Service

Yan is a Bachelor of Business Information graduate with a double major in Marketing and System Development from Massey University. Having recently returned from China as a newlywed, Yan is ready for her next challenge. With experiences across the customer service industry, Yan has developed a keen interest in people as well a heightened appreciation for interaction and small talk.

Eager to put her qualifications to good use, Yan hopes to secure an internship as an Administrative Assistant or Customer Service Representative.

Yuwin - Customer Service, Office Administration

Yuwin holds a Bachelors Degree in Commerce and Administration with majors in Marketing and E-Commerce. He first came to New Zealand to pursue his studies and decided it was the right place for him to call home. Well experienced in the area of Customer Service and Administration, Yuwin enjoys working with people and likes the variety that comes with the profession.

Yuwin is a confident communicator and builds relationships in almost any environment. He would fit in well within a busy team and is seeking the opportunity of an internship in the area of Customer Service and Office/Finance Administration.

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Accounting and Finance

Em - Accounting, Finance Administration

Originally from the Philippines, Em found himself on a plane to Wellington when his wife was offered a job within the New Zealand health sector. With his passion for learning and exploring new things, it was no surprise to his family that Em would choose the road less travelled. Eager at the chance of securing a future for their children, he gave up his longstanding career as a Chief Accountant in exchange for unknown opportunities. Em has a Bachelor of Science in Commerce with a major in Accounting.

An analytical thinker and problem solver by nature, Em has a wide range of skills to offer to finance team with a lot to deliver. He is seeking an internship as an Assistant Accountant or Finance Administrator.

Ray - Accounting, Accounts Management, Budgeting

In addition to his Bachelors degree in Commerce with majors in Marketing and Management from the University of Otago, Ray recently completed a Graduate Diploma of Accounting from Victoria University. Ray came to New Zealand seven years ago to study from China. He stayed in Christchurch with a foster family, and later moved to Wellington for his partner.

With a good eye for detail, Ray finds working with numbers to be an effortless task. His problem solving skills allow him to find solutions to everything.

Ray would ideally like to use his experience partnered with recent qualifications in the area of Accounting. An internship as an Assistant Accountant or Finance Administrator would suit Ray most.

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Policy and Research

Ning - Policy, Regulatory Analyst, Researcher

Originally from Manila, where she worked with the Central Bank of the Philippines as a Policy Analyst, Ning moved to Japan when she was awarded the World Bank Scholarship and pursued a Master’s degree in International Political Economy with a major in Policy Management. With only ten awards granted every two years, Ning jumped at the opportunity and decided to pack up all her belongings and go. However, while the scholarship provided her with an excellent qualification, the language barrier proved to be a bigger obstacle than expected within a highly competitive market. Ning and her partner decided to review their options and turned to New Zealand and its inviting opportunities.

With a cheerful disposition, optimism and experience in her pockets, Ning is eager to be of service to Wellington’s Public Sector. Ning would ideally suit an internship as a Analyst or Researcher within a policy function with a lot to deliver in a short span of time.

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Data/Business Analysis

Kevin - Junior Business Analyst, Data Analyst

Kevin first came to New Zealand from China to study English, and nine years later, he finds himself calling New Zealand ‘home’. Armed with a Diploma in Business from Massey University, with a major in Accounting, Kevin established a small business specialising in affordable retail fashion in Auckland. He successfully managed a financially sound business for three years, until his wife was offered a role within the Public Sector in Wellington. Keen to support his partner’s career aspirations, Kevin agreed to move to Wellington.

To support his innate desire for always learning and picking up new things, Kevin has recently taken up the strategic sport of golf. Kevin would ideally like to find an internship as a Junior Business or Data Analyst.

Zhao (Pronounced: Jao) - Junior Data Analyst, Financial Analyst, Researcher

Passionate about travel, Zhao and his cousin decided to hop on a plane and see New Zealand. Together they travelled across the South Island, went sightseeing, brushed up on their English and later decided to attend university studies. Zhao went on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Accounting, majoring in Money and Finance, Econometrics from Victoria University. Six years later, with a wife and a five month old son, Zhao is keen to step up and gain experience relevant to his degree.

With a flair for numbers and business processes, Zhao would complement any team. His goal is to gain an internship as a Junior Data Analyst, Financial Analyst, or Researcher.

Ebi - Database Developer, Business Analyst

Originally from Iran, where he was the Director of his own Jewellery business, Ebi came to New Zealand to start a new life. Seven years ago, he stood at the door of one of New Zealand’s largest jewellers armed with only the knowledge of his craft and not a single word of English. He has since successfully completed a degree in Commerce and Administration, from Victoria University, with majors in Information Systems and Electronic Commerce.

A far cry from his early days in New Zealand, Ebi is now an excellent communicator, who brings enthusiasm and unique concepts into any group environment. Ebi would ideally like to secure an internship as a Business Analyst or Database Developer.

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IT

Calvin - IT Networking Engineer, IT Helpdesk Representative, Web Designer

A recent graduate in Information Technology from Whitireia Polytechnic, Calvin first arrived in New Zealand to better his English skills. Eight years later and with no immediate family in Wellington, Calvin has chosen to stay on and pursue a future in New Zealand’s unique IT industry. His keen interest in technology has prompted him to constantly try and learn new software and programs.

Armed with his qualifications and passion for the industry, Calvin is hoping to secure an internship as an IT Networking Engineer, IT Helpdesk Representative or Web Designer.

Iris - IT Programmer, Data Analyst

Iris came to New Zealand from China to live with her aunt and later earned a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science from Victoria University. Quiet by nature, it is no surprise that Iris has taken a liking for computers. She enjoys designing databases, tinkering with computer programmes and has advanced skills in the MS Office Suite; and is energised by completing tasks and overcoming computer related challenges.

When she isn’t on her computer, Iris enjoys going out to Petone to do some fishing. An internship as an IT Programmer or Data Analyst would be ideal for Iris.

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Lab Technology and Health

Hanane - Lab Technician, Bio Chemist

When Hanane’s husband was offered a role within a Telecommunications company in New Zealand, they decided to relocate their young family from Algeria and start anew. Upon first arriving in Wellington, although she had studied English growing up, she could hardly understand a word of Kiwi English. She found herself struggling in everyday situations such as visiting the medical centre or the supermarket. Determined to build a life here, Hanane listened and learned and it wasn’t before long that she was conversing competently herself.

With a three year old daughter and a set of two year old twin daughters, Hanane’s days were never uninteresting. Now that her little girls have adapted well into their new home and have formed a bond with the new nanny, Hanane is ready to pursue her career once again. Warm and thoughtful in nature, her aim is to gain an internship as Bio Chemist or a Lab Technician.

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Engineering

Antonio - Civil Engineer, On-site Engineer, Project Assistant

Nine months ago, when his Kiwi partner told him that she wanted to raise their newborn baby close to family, Antonio decided to support her wishes. Antonio shuffled his then expecting wife from Spain to Wellington and reunited her family. Their son is now eight weeks old.

With experiences ranging from consulting, on-site infrastructure, and project management, Antonio is keen to gain New Zealand experience within an engineering environment in the capacity of Civil On-site Engineer or Project Assistant.