By Charlene Gatt
KNOW of a migrant that was a doctor back at home but is a taxi driver here?
According to the newly formed Association of Skilled Migrants in Australia (ASMA), only 18 per cent of skilled migrants are actually working in their area of expertise.
ASMA was formed in March this year following a skilled migration forum in Braybrook, and will have its formal launch next Wednesday at the Salvation Army in Brunswick.
Member Walter Villagonzalo said the association would give a voice to skilled migrants, who would work together with governments, industry and education sectors to make the most of their expertise.
“There’s a large skilled migrant population in Australia, about 64 per cent of new arrivals are skilled migrants,” Mr Villagonzalo said.
“The problem is that there’s a lot of skilled migrants without jobs or they’re in a job that’s not suitable or not related to their expertise.
“There’s a lot of taxi drivers who have masters degrees or PhDs. It’s a problem that’s hasn’t really been talked about.
“There’s some reports that a lot of skilled migrants are experiencing depression, feeling angry, unvalued and unwelcome to Australia. There’s a need for us to really look at this problem and see how we can utilise the skills that we already have.”
Since 1997, State and Federal Governments have concentrated on making sure that skilled migrants have their overseas qualifications recognised.
But, Mr Villagonzalo said, many skilled migrants were having trouble getting jobs in their area of expertise because they had no local work experience as a job reference.
