Spouses struggle with job search

The Border Watch
Posted on July 23, 2008, 6.06pm
The spouses of two skilled migrants said although they were happy in Mount Gambier, they would not hesitate to move away if their spouses found work elsewhere.
Marselle Young, a qualified electrician from South Africa, arrived in Mount Gambier on June 1 with his wife when she was sponsored on a Temporary Business Long Stay subclass 457 visa to work as a doctor at the Mount Gambier Hospital.
He told The Border Watch if he could not find work in the South East, he would encourage his wife to find work in a big city where it would be easier for him to also find work.
“I have applied for about 20 positions as an electrician, but I have not received a single phone call back - not even to say, sorry, we are not interested,” Mr Young said.
“Mount Gambier is a great city and the people make me feel welcome, but I get the impression employers are suspicious of my abilities simply because I am not an Aussie.”
Claudia Cecchi migrated from Italy to Mount Gambier with her husband, a qualified and experienced engineer, two years ago.
She said although she was a psychologist, she was regarded as unskilled because of her lack of confidence when speaking English.
Mrs Cecchi, who lived in Mexico and Italy for many years, said she attended English classes at TAFE and hoped it would enable her to find work.
“I am starting to feel old and depressed because life is not inside the home, but out there and I need to contribute to the community again,” she said.
“If I can’t find work here, we will move to another city where both my husband and I will find work.”
ANELIA BLACKIE