Young New Zealanders Will Flock to UK Says STA GM

Thousands More Young New Zealanders Will Flock to UK Says Travel GM

AUCKLAND, Aug. 11/MediaNet International-AsiaNet/ --

The number of young New Zealanders doing their “Big O.E.” to the United Kingdom could more than double to 16,000 following changes to the working holiday permit, predicts the general manager of New Zealand’s leading youth travel agency, STA Travel.

From 25 August 2003, the age limit for New Zealanders applying for UK working visas will be lifted from 27 to 30 and they will be free to legally work in their chosen profession.

Before 25 August, New Zealanders were unable to pursue professional work in the UK that may further their career and had to take ‘non-professional’ roles such as waiting and service roles in bars and restaurants.

The permit changes apply to all Commonwealth citizens and have been made, in part, to address a shortage of skilled labour in certain sectors in the UK.

Young New Zealanders can now also switch to a work permit after their holiday working visa expires – previously, New Zealanders would have to leave the country to apply for this hard-to-get permit.

“The opportunities these visa changes create for young New Zealanders is immense,” says Blair Catton, General Manager STA Travel, New Zealand. “Many young people who put off travel because it interrupted their career, or because they missed the cut off age to obtain a visa, will now be revisiting the idea of working in the UK.

“Young Kiwis can now live it up while gaining international work experience in their profession, which will make them attractive to future employers back home.”

Mr Catton says that working in some of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities is a great head start for the careers of many young New Zealanders.

“Young New Zealanders are really popular in the UK because of their laid-back attitude and because they have a reputation for being hard workers,” Mr Catton says.

Approximately 8,000 young New Zealanders apply for a working holiday visa for the UK each year, according to Visit Britain in Auckland.

To support the expected flood of young Kiwis going to work and live in the UK, STA Travel is offering fully furnished apartments for short and long-term leases. These stylish apartments in the heart of London are tailored for first-time travellers and young professionals heading to the UK with the intention of working.

Prices for long-term apartments start from $250 per person per week.

“At STA Travel, we’re experienced in helping young travellers find non-professional work and we now look forward to the chance to help them further their careers in the UK,” Mr Catton says.

ENDS

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