Chamber of Commerce Migrant Kiwis Work Experience

by Anne Dunlop for Auckland Chamber of Commerce

Sue Gillespie, Director of the New Zealand College of Massage, was so impressed with the marketing initiatives that Migrant Kiwis Work Experience candidate, Cherry Li , created for her business that she employed her on a full-time basis.

Sue took on Cherry for work experience, as part of the Auckland Chamber’s Skilled Migrant Work Experience Programme-   a programme that facilitates meaningful work experience and /or paid employment for skilled professional migrants. The programme is designed to help migrants put some New Zealand experience on their CVs, but it’s a win-win situation for employees and employers alike.  Whilst candidates are essentially seeking full time employment, candidates are available for up to eight weeks’ project work at no cost or obligation to the employer.

The Migrant Work Experience Programme appealed to Sue because it meant she could take a low risk approach to creating a new position- she could experiment with a new marketing role in her organisation and at the same time trial the candidate- without making a permanent commitment. 

“As a small business in a challenging climate, we were aware of the need for marketing but at the same time we weren’t   sure that we wanted to invest in a full-time staff member at the outset.”

For Sue, calling Carol Gilroy at Migrant Kiwis is one she will never regret.

“After seeing what Cherry could do over a four week period, I realized I couldn’t lose her and employed her on a full time basis. She fitted in so well to our team; was professional, hard-working and proactively identified new opportunities.  I thought I could not afford to create a marketing role but Cherry generated not only more business but increased the awareness of our business,” Sue says.

With strengths in marketing research and co-ordination, Cherry successfully identified new international markets and opportunities for the New Zealand College of Massage to increase their customer base.

“The fact that Cherry is an international student is a huge asset.  Her ability to speak three languages and collaborate with international clients has enabled us to reach a wider audience which has generated further business. Introducing us to social marketing; helping to modernize our look and establishing relationships with overseas markets are just some of her many successful initiatives that have brought in an increased number of clients, especially at a time when we were looking to cancel courses.”  Sue says.

As for Cherry, the Migrant Kiwis Programme was just what she needed to kickstart her marketing career in New Zealand.  With training, support and a chance to showcase her marketing skills through a project experience, Cherry was well on the way to achieving her goals.

 “Migrant Kiwis is a great service.  Carol Gilroy, who runs the Migrant Kiwis programme, was excellent to deal with - she had the ability to find the perfect match between candidate and employer. She understood how we felt as migrants and gave us great advice on interviewing skills and creating a CV to adapt to the New Zealand job market.” Cherry says.

Sue also experienced great service when looking for a new staff member through the Migrant Kiwis Work Experience Programme.

“Carol Gilroy was absolutely brilliant.  She really understood what I was looking for and made the process really easy– the two candidates she sent me were suited to our business and environment.  I have no hesitation recommending the Migrant Kiwis Progamme to fellow employers,” Sue says.

The Migrant Work Experience Programme  has made a significant impact connecting great candidates with businesses since it began in 2002.To be eligible for the MWEP, candidates must demonstrate spoken and written English appropriate to the workplace and be professionally qualified at degree level or have extensive experience at a professional level.