What if you want to take the Skilled Migration pathway to Australia but fail to have enough immigration point or without required IELTS Test scores? In this situation, it could be the best choice to take a Professional Year course which can help with your overall Skill Points
WHAT IS PROFESSIONAL YEAR?
The Professional Year is a structured professional development program combining formal learning and workplace experience. If a graduate who wants to receive points towards their permanent residency under the Skilled Migration pathway, but has difficulty achieving four 7-scores in IELTS Test, or is older than 32 years old so cannot get 30 immigration points, a Professional Year training course is worthy of consideration to take.
WHO CAN APPLY FOR A PROFESSIONAL YEAR?
Professional year is only limited to graduates who are from an Accounting, Information Systems or Engineering backgrounds.
A Professional Year has become a migration pathway for many accounting graduates would consider, and also provides a new solution for those who are suffering from IELTS Test.
As for IT graduates, according to the current migration assessment criteria of ACS (Australian Computer Society), they must have at least one-year work experience or complete the Professional Year course if they want to be eligible to apply for PR (Permanent Residence) skills assessment.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS ?
First, upon completion of at least two-year study in Australia, graduates can apply for Temporary Residence visa, which is a prerequisite for the application of Professional Year. Even if not for migration, graduates can also gain opportunities of local practice in Australia through Professional Year. For those who have graduated, it is also possible to apply for Professional Year before applying for Temporary Residence visa.
WHAT TO OBTAIN FROM COMPLETING MY PROFESSIONAL YEAR?
Students who complete PY course usually have a significant improvement of English communication capability, practical ability, workplace intercultural understanding and so on. Meanwhile, the attractive point of joining Professional Year is that students will undertake 12-week local practice and all participants can gain local work experience. Additionally, some outstanding students can have opportunities to continue working at the workplace where they have internship as a paid job.
THE ADVANTAGES IN ATTENDING PROFESSIONAL YEAR COURSES
1. To improve the employment competitiveness
2. To deepen understanding of the Australian employment market
3. To get the Professional Year certificate
4. To become the recognised member of relative professional institutions (e.g. CPA)
To summarize, the Professional Year is a structured professional development program aiming at helping international students gain work experience, increase the possibility for students to find a job and obtain 5 migration points. As long as the graduates complete full-time study no less than 2 years in Australia, they can apply for a Professional Year course within six months period upon the completion.
Plus, a Professional Year course usually adopts the small-class teaching model to improve students' career capabilities, including conversation, interview skills, personal resume guidance, conference procedure, business arrangement and other professional knowledge required in workplace. Plus, professional practice is an essential part of a Professional Year course.