Internship

[Pino]

We are two enthousiastic Belgian students in Woodwork-Technology (college of Ghent) and we're looking for an internship in a company or school in a foreign country, during February-June 2008. We have experience in designing (2D, 3D, scripting, macro) in AutoCad, Visual Basic, AlphaCam, Pytha, StairCon, Analyzer, NCHops, ... and also in organisation and optimalisation of companies/warehouses, especially those involving woodwork. In our education, there was also room for research in Pneumatics, Chemistry, Biology, ... Also environmental and legal issues had their place.

Can anyone help us on our search for people we should write to, sites we should visit,... please?

Thank you very much in advance!

[bitingmidge]

Pino,

Why not try the Australian High Commission in Brussels for some information?

There is plenty of work available in Aus, but there are visas to be had, and other legal complexities for "foreigners" coming to work or study.

I reckon if you can sort that out, actually getting a job will be easy.

All the best.

P

[Honorary Bloke]

There is plenty of work available in Aus, but there are visas to be had, and other legal complexities for "foreigners" coming to work or study.

Maybe I'll try the Australian High Commission in Washington, DC.

[Cliff Rogers]

Maybe I'll try the Australian High Commission in Washington, DC.

You wouldn't get past the security in the first aisle.

[bitingmidge]

Maybe I'll try the Australian High Commission in Washington, DC.

Besides, it helps if you can speak English!!


P

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

It's something I'd never thought about, but a quick google of the words "internship australia" gave more results than many of my other recent searches for more mundane woodwork related stuff.

Some claim to look after visa applications, etc, but like anything advertised on the internet: let the customer beware!

[Brown Dog]

Hi Pino

I think what Skew said about those places that advertise on the internet is good advise....there are a lot of dodgy opertators out there that pray on students.

I also showed your request to my girlfriend...who is a registered migration agent here in Australia. This is free advise based on the information you have given in your post...so no responsibility is taken for said advice and its accuracy.

This is what she thinks though.

Hmm, that is a hard one, as they have not indicated whether they have completed schooling or in the midst of it. This will make a difference to the advice I can provide however, this is what I have thought of off the top of my head.

There is no "internship visa" as such available in Oz but they may be able to get what is known as a Special Program visa if they can get a qualified organisation to support them... this can be difficult and is quite often linked to being involved in youth programmes or similar through the churches and voluntary organisations. Not sure if there are any specific ones for Woodworking but highly doubt it....

The only other thing I can think of is if they are German passport holders, have no children and are under 31, they are eligible for a Working Holiday Visa (this would be easier as it is a simple online application). This would allow them to work for the employer of their choice in any role for a period of up to 6 months. The visa is valid for a 12 month period from the time of entry but you can only work for the one employer for a six month period. This would also not "tie" them to any one employer if it didn't work out plus they could holiday after finishing up if they wanted too.

Also good for any employer as there are no messy sponsorship obligations that need to be met....

Am not sure who the best people would be to discuss potential roles, maybe someone on the forum can help them out with that.... on the WHV, costs will need to be met by them so this may be an issue for them if they are seeking financial assistance with their relocation. This is hard to come by these days unless you are taking up a full time skilled role in an Australian organisation who is sponsoring you for a work permit I am afraid.

Hope this helps, if you have any questions about this please PM me

cheers
BD

edit:....apparently she read your post wrong....you dont have to be a German passport holder...As a Belgium Passport entitles you to the same Working holiday visa..as long as you are Under 31 have, no kids and have never applied for one before. So this would be your easiest option if you choose to come to Australia