Here are the latest IELTS and immigration news updates since we left you in September.
The Latest IELTS News
The first story is an announcement from the British Council allowing IELTS test takers to retake just one part of a test.
The British Council Is Set To Launch ‘One Skill Retake’
After being trialled in Australia from January this year, the British Council have announced that IELTS test takers who don’t reach their desired scores on their initial attempt will now have the advantage of no longer having to resit the entire test with this ground-breaking new feature.
The One Skill Retake feature enhances the success of IELTS test takers by giving them a chance to retake only a single section of the IELTS exam, whether that be Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking.
As mentioned previously in our News Tracker, Australia trailed this feature back in January 2023 to help candidates who don’t achieve their desired result on only one part of the IELTS test.
Andrew Mackenzie, the Director of IELTS at the British Council, revealed that the concept of One Skill Retake was made in response to valuable feedback from IELTS candidates.
He stated, “We know that with the right preparation and support, our test takers can achieve their best score on test day. However, One Skill Retake provides test takers with an opportunity to retake a single skill if they feel their performance in the first instance did not represent their English proficiency, and we believe this increases fairness.”
“Organisations that accept the IELTS One Skill Retake can offer their candidates the flexibility to achieve entry requirements without compromising on applicant quality. The IELTS partners are proud of this initiative that reinforces our commitment to helping test takers achieve their full potential”.
Depending on their achieved score, test takers have the flexibility to decide whether they prefer to use their previous or the newly acquired test report for the specific skill they chose to retake.
International Migration News
If you’re looking to work or relocate abroad, then the following two stories may be of interest to you…
New Zealand’s New Immigration Rules Aim To Attract More International Employees
The New Zealand government has introduced amendments to its immigration system with the goal of enticing a larger pool of international workers and alleviating the talent scarcity within the nation.
Firstly, they have added new job roles to the Green List. The Green List is a list of all the occupations eligible for a fast track to permanent residence or access to a work-to-residence route. It includes a diverse array of occupations, spanning healthcare professionals, veterinarians, engineers, and ICT specialists.
The roles that will be added to the Green List from March 2024 include Aviation Engineers (specialising in Avionics, Aeronautics, and Aerospace Engineering), Naval Architects (Marine Designers), Mechanical Engineering Technicians, ICT Database and System Administrators, and Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, among others.
Starting from September 29 2023, applications will be accepted for the Green List and Sector Agreement Work to Residence pathways for the existing occupations listed.
Migrants with a minimum of two years of qualifying work experience in a Green List Work to Residence or eligible Sector Agreement position will have the opportunity to apply for permanent residence, provided they satisfy the other prerequisites related to age, health, character and English language proficiency.
If your profession has been added to the Green List, then now’s the time to prepare for the IELTS test with help from an expert; get in touch today
The NZ government has also declared that the Recovery Visa will no longer accept new applications as of September 23, 2023. This Specific Purpose Work Visa allowed employers to sponsor professionals such as engineers, technicians and insurance assessors to enter New Zealand from February 24 2023 to September 23 2023.
Starting from this date, current visa holders already residing in New Zealand can request a 3-month extension for their Recovery Visa, providing them with a transition period to potentially secure longer-term work visas if needed.
Immigration New Zealand will proactively reach out to current AEWV visa holders as their visas near expiration to provide information regarding their available choices.
The AEWV work visa serves as a stepping stone for migrants aspiring to attain New Zealand residence by granting them the opportunity to work in the country.
Those who meet the eligibility criteria will have the opportunity to apply for an extension through the pre-existing online application form designed for the Specific Purpose Work Visa.
Improve your chances of relocating to New Zealand, and start your IELTS preparation with us today.
British Columbia PNP Draw: The Province Extends Over 187 Invitations for Canadian Immigration
British Columbia has initiated new entry draws and extended over 187 invitations across various streams of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program. The Express Entry stream is an immigration alternative that determines the skilled workers to immigrate to Canada. Those who are looking to immigrate can submit the application online to enter into the Express Entry Pool. Job offers are directed towards candidates who possess compelling career profiles that appeal to prospective employers in collaboration with the Canada Job Bank.
Individuals who have secured an approved job offer are encouraged to proceed with their application for Canadian permanent residency. It’s worth noting that profiles showcasing superior skills and experience tend to garner more attention.
This system takes into account various factors such as education level, language proficiency, and work experience to rank applicants. Achieving a good score on the IELTS test is important so that you can provide evidence of your skills and have more of a chance of being selected. If you’re looking to migrate to Canada, then get in touch today and get help from an expert to ensure your IELTS success.
Further Reading
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See you in November!