Jobs for house painter?

[Orewa]

Also please realize that its a nice place but people over 40 are discriminated against in hiring. Not a legal thing but until about 10 years ago NZ actually advertised help wanted with age requirements. A labour relations bill enacted 4 years ago required employers to stop asking age, gender and marital status on application forms. So these hiring practices are still in place. Even born and bred Kiwis experience age discrimination.

So being a Yank and being 50 is not a great plus for finding employment here. As in 55 max to immigrate

[carolina]

Thanks Orewa, but I'm curious that you mention the 55 max age for immigration. Once we have secured employment and residency, I am under the impression that we can continue working and living well past 55 in NZ. So why would an employer hesitate to hire a knowlegeable, healthy, reliable, hard working man of 50 years? He is considered one of the best painters in the area that we live so he can command a higher price and people will actually wait up to a year just to have him paint their house because they know what kind of work he does. Our entire business is built on word of mouth.
We live in a tourist area here on the east coast (Nags Head, NC) and paint mostly investment properties and second homes for wealthier northerners.

Not meaning to rant, but there is a huge glut of younger painters here that are just plain lazy, drink too much and/or are very unreliable. Dan can outpaint them with one hand tied behind his back :wink:

Like Orewa said, its an age limit imposed on the immigration side of things. I think the view behind it is that NZ govt dont want too many people too close to retirement (taking in to account most people want to retire from 60 - 65). Also, if you were to lose your initial job, you may find it very difficult to be employed elsewhere, due to age. Its a sad fact but unfortunately a true one.

To be honest, I think the best way you can prove yourselves is to start up your own business and make them eat their policies and age discrimination! House painting must be in high demand with most homes being of wooden construction, so stick to your guns and get out there!

[Orewa]

Well,

It doesn't make sense does it? I think its hard to understand from the states as age discrimination has been illegal for so long that its not part of the psyche. But it is here.


if you want contact me at dean@innovativelogistics.co.nz and I will explain more.

[carolina]

Interesting.
It does put a new slant on things, we'll be out there for a 3 week trip in January or February so we'll have to get a feel to see if that would pose a problem for us. I like Taffys suggestion of starting our own painting business.

Have you heard of a franchise company called Gray Skills? They are supposed to find employment for the "over 40" age group. I never quite understood why 40 was in the "gray hair" category but that is making more sense to me now.

Karen

[oakuradunn]

Hi Carolina,
I can't give you any advice re immigration matters, suffice to say that I sympathise with you and all who are trying to work out if you can get in or not.
As taffy says, just get here, and see what you can put togther both work/business wise and then see what effect that has on immigration.

I grew up in hamilton. i don't know whats happening for painting in hamilton, but perhaps you should consider setting up shop for a year in tauranga/bay of plenty.
Its on the east coast of Nth island about 1 1/2 hours from hamilton.
Tauranga not only has fantastic weather and beaches, but it is the fastest growing area in NZ. The amount of residential construction is huge, and every one of those houses needs painting!
A good painter's name gets around believe me.

best of luck
Mike Dunn

Originally Posted by carolina

Interesting.
It does put a new slant on things, we'll be out there for a 3 week trip in January or February so we'll have to get a feel to see if that would pose a problem for us. I like Taffys suggestion of starting our own painting business.

Have you heard of a franchise company called Gray Skills? They are supposed to find employment for the "over 40" age group. I never quite understood why 40 was in the "gray hair" category but that is making more sense to me now.

Karen

[carolina]

Thanks Mike, I'm getting the drift that finding work in the trades is a little different than white collar work. I don't think we will have a problem finding work in Northland, but I'm just not quite sure what immigration will expect from us. If we get contract work does that qualify? If so, can we still apply in the skilled migrant category?

Since I posted, we've actually been offered a job! But again, I'm not sure what immigration is actually going to require.

Regards, Karen

[oakuradunn]

Hi Karen,
I really can't give you any advice re immigration.
Personally i would consider coming here on a working visa, get some work, impress the hell out of your employer, and apply to immigration while you are here, perhaps the impressed employer may even help out re sponsoring or at least championing your cause.


best of luck
mike