Virgil from South Africa to Australia
Where did Virgil’s journey with us begin?
Virgil’s journey to Australia with Skilled Migration Group started in earnest with Virgil meeting Brent Diflo and Dennis in Harare, Zimbabwe in 2022.
Virgil had travelled to Harare from South Africa, and Brent had travelled from Brisbane, Australia,
We had been talking to Virgil for some time, about his goal of living and working in Australia, and his desire to create a better life for his family.
And talked quickly turned to Cat dealer’s in Australia, with Brent and Virgil discussing the differences between Barloworld in SA, where Virgil had completed his apprenticeship, and Caterpillar Dealers in Australia. Brent having vast experience of these, having spent 33 plus years working for the Australian Caterpillar Dealer Hastings Deering.
This technician could easily fit into a role on a mine site in Australia.
Brent and Dennis, after deep discussion with Virgil on Cat 797F trucks, Cat 24M Graders and Cat D10 tractors were in total agreement. Virgil was the real deal, he could easily fit into a role on an Australian mine site.
How do you fancy another chat in a different country? You ever been to Zambia?
Our team was running a major recruitment drive for Australia, and we had a client travelling to Zambia to meet with some candidates and we asked Virgil if he wanted to meet up with us again in Lusaka, and have a chat with a major figure in the Australian mining industry.
Virgil agreed, actually he was very keen and booked his flights while we were there with him.
We Meet Again
We met up again in Lusaka, Virgil, Brent, Dennis and the Australian Mining industry head.
The conversations just flowed easily, with Virgil demonstrating confidence and oozing little nuggets of Gold from his experience of working for Vale in Mozambique and Glencore.
Virgil was clearly a great allrounder – and he loved being able to converse with people that knew what they were talking about, this was not a meeting with ‘just average interviewers’, there was over sixty years of hands on spanners in that room. Discussing running and overseeing some of the biggest mines in Australia and huge Caterpillar equipment assembly projects.
We knew what we would be getting if Virgil was hired, and Virgil knew that what was being explained about the roles on offer, conditions, way they worked in Australia, was being explained to him by people that really knew what they were talking about.
These types of discussions are what sets up the relationship, the type of start to a great relationship that you just know is going to last a long, long time.
Pack Your Bags Virgil, You’re Going To Australia!
Virgil was hired for Australia, there was never any doubt that would happen.
However, Virgil is South African, and that means the Australian Government required Virgil to undergo trade testing, before we could apply for a long term Australian Visa.
The Australian employer paid all of the trade testing fees and charges, Virgil was not required to pay anything.
But, it took forever before eventually Virgil was given a trade test date, a trade test which he obviously passed. And that coupled with his very high English Language test scores meant we could now apply for and obtain a long term Australian work visa for Virgil.
What’s It Like Living And Working In Australia?
Virgil deployed to Australia and is working in Queensland on a MARC site for one of the world’s largest Caterpillar Dealers and he loves it!
He just raves about the high quality standards the Cat dealer demands and he is truly at home there in that type of work environment.
Virgil we think you’re a huge asset to that Cat dealer, and long may it continue.
Feedback from Virgil
Virgil wanted us to write about his workers journey because he said so many technicians from South Africa are either being overlooked for work in Australia – or are being ripped off by companies trying to charge South African technicians huge fees just to get a job or get trade tested.
Virgil wanted his fellow South African technicians to know that if he can get to Australia without being ripped off, without paying and fees or charges – then they can as well, he wanted to try and pass on hope, to never give up, and that their day will come.
Virgil also wanted to thank Tim Guinea, the founder and owner of the Australian Asset Management Company AAMG, Virgil said he owes Tim a lot, and that he wouldn’t forget what Tim did for Virgil and his family.
On a personal level, Virgil said life is tough being apart from his family, really tough – and that only people going through this type of hardship will ever know what it’s like.
But, the future for Virgil’s family is looking amazing, with plans already being made for the family to join Virgil and live in Australia.
That was Virgil’s worker’s journey – we are Skilled Migration Group and we take our hat off to you Virgil, you sir are a gentleman, and exceptional technician and we wish you and your family everything you ever wanted from your life in Australia.
