Adelaide: Britain with better weather

It’s all very well deciding that you want to move to Australia, but once you've made that initial decision, how do you choose what part of the country you want to move to? The launch of a new campaign that showcases South Australia as a fantastic destination for UK residents who are considering a move Down Under might help to make your decision a bit easier.

The campaign came about after research was conducted by the Academy for British and Irish Studies at the University of Huddersfield. They surveyed 250 British families in South Australia and more than 1000 families in UK about what they love and hate about their countries, and the results found that six out of 10 people have had enough of British life and want to start a new life Down Under.

Adelaide was found to be the top city because of it’s resemblance to the Britain of the past – although with much nicer weather – and the fact that it seems like the ideal place to bring up a family.

Report author and Professor of Modern British History Paul Ward said the respondents of the survey craved community spirit, family values, work-life balance and British traditions, and South Australia ticked every one of the boxes.

“They want their children to grow up in a country with a stronger sense of community than they believe exists in the UK,” he said.

Nearly two-thirds of expat Britons in South Australia said Adelaide had a strong community spirit where people still had time to look our for one another, while only 39% of Brits said the same about their home towns.

The results will come as no surprise to anyone who lives in South Australia. For a state capital, Adelaide feels small, but is uncrowded and attractive, priding itself on its culture, fine food, relaxed lifestyle and diverse selection of festivals. There are also several great beaches in the suburbs, and a lively nightlife culture. 

For a list of current opportunities in Australia, head over to the Acorn Global website for more.

The misconceptions of Sierra Leone

When considering a move abroad for work, Sierra Leone probably won't be anywhere near the top of your list of potential destinations. The numerous bad press of the 1990s, when the Sierra Leone Civil War left the country in devastation, has undoubtedly meant the country has suffered bad press, but is it still a cause for concern? With some of the world's best mining sites located in the country, there are some fantastic job opportunities in the area, with excellent salaries and benefits.

The country has largely stayed out of the news lately, which can only be a good thing considering the country's history. Undoubtedly, Sierra Leone still has it's problems. It ranked second last in the UN’s most recent Human Development Index, unemployment remains high and the education system hasn't met expectations, but most locals hang on to their optimism.

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Things have changed for the country though. Peace was declared in 2002 and Sierra Leone has blossomed. Life has largely returned to normal and today it is one of West Africa’s safest destinations. Reconstruction of the infrastructure continues, investors are consistently arriving and travellers are once again making it a must-visit location. 

With some of the best palm-lined beaches on the continent, it won’t be long before Sierra Leone takes its place in Europe’s packaged beach-holiday scene; but for now, the surf outside the capital is one of the country's best-kept secrets. And after a day in the sun, Freetown offers everything you need for a night out. Travel to the provinces, where roads are often abysmal and facilities usually basic, remains in the realm of the adventurous, but with vibrant culture and wonderful parks, the rewards are many.

Acorn Global currently has a brilliant job opportunity in Sierra Leone for a Resident Engineer, earning £70-80,000 per annum plus benefits including flights and accommodation. Once you look beyond the country's troubled past and appreciate how far things have come since 2002, it  is easier to see the wealth of opportunities on offer to you.


Helen Lock

Moving abroad for work: spotlight on Australian cities

Moving abroad for a new job is a major step in anyone's life, and when you're moving somewhere as far as Australia, having as much information as possible before you arrive is vital. It often isn't possible to visit the location you will be moving to, so having all the facts and arming yourself with as much knowledge as possible means you will arrive feeling much more confident about the move.

On the Acorn Global website, there are currently several jobs based in Australia. When thinking of the country, the common images that come to mind are of Sydney and Melbourne: city locations. But what happens if the job is based further north? It's understandable to think that there is nothing up there, but the descriptions below show that Northern Australia is full of fantastic places to live and things to do.

Darwin
Stunning surroundings, the freshest seafood, art galleries, museums and much more; Darwin boasts a relaxed lifestyle and magnificent sunsets and is free from the fast pace of many southern capitals. The population of Darwin is quite young with an average age of 33. Modern amenities and shopping centres are available, as well as a domestic and international airport. The warm sunny climate of Darwin allows many outdoor activities to be conducted all year round. Darwin, like the rest of the Top End, has a Wet and Dry season rather than a winter and summer. The sun is almost always shining down on Darwin, however because of its location by the sea; temperatures rarely go above 34C.

Alice Springs
Alice Springs, or ‘Alice’ as it is known by the locals, is geographically located right at the heart of Australia. This feature alone makes Alice a perfect location for a whole host of adventures for both tourists and locals. Alice may not be your typical modern city but it is a great place where you can free yourself from common urban buzz. The town of Alice Springs straddles the usually dry Todd River on the northern side of the MacDonnell Ranges. The region where Alice Springs is located is known as Central Australia, or the Red Centre, and is an arid environment consisting of several different deserts. In Alice Springs, temperatures can vary dramatically with an average maximum temperature in summer of 35.6C, and an average minimum temperature in winter of 5.1C.

Katherine
Often called the 'Crossroads of the North' because of its location, Katherine is the fourth largest town in the Northern Territory and is located 312 km south-east of Darwin. With a population of over 9,804 people, Katherine is a modern thriving regional centre that offers a wide range of services to communities from the Western Australian border to the Gulf of Carpentaria on the Queensland border. There is a modern air conditioned shopping centre, hospital, sports grounds, parks and gardens as well as a large number of Commonwealth and Territory Government services. Katherine is ideally positioned as a base from which to explore all the Top End has to offer. Located only a couple of hours from Kakadu, Litchfield and Gregory National Parks, the town of Katherine is the central hub of the region.


Darwin, Alice Springs and Katherine are just three of the fantastic locations you could relocate to if you apply to one of our latest global jobs. If you want to change your life for the better and relocate to some of the most beautiful locations in the world, the Acorn Global website has all the information you need.


Helen Lock

Live and work in Australia? You'll want to after watching this...

Need that extra push and motivation to apply to one of our fantastic jobs in Australia? Watch this video and be inspired!

Geotextile and Geomembrane Technicians: the right job for you?

It may be a relatively unknown profession in the UK, but Geomembrane and Geotextile Installation Technicians are currently in high demand over in Australia. The continuing mining boom has contributed to this, as the whole process of creating and maintaining a mine requires more than just miners.

Acorn Global is therefore offering Geomembrane professionals the opportunity to apply for positions within the industry, emigrate to warmer climates and benefit from a selection of extra incentives included in the job specifications, such as free relocation, a pension and all visas taken care of.

In the current economic climate it is a challenge to find work in the UK, let alone well-paid work. Australia is therefore a great chance for anyone seeking full-time work with a brilliant salary, not to mention the lovely weather and excellent quality of life.

So...Geomembrane and Geotextile Installation Technician: What’s it all about?

Geomembranes and Geotextiles have been used since the 1950’s to provide cost-effective solutions to Geo-technical applications; their systems support the production and performance of transport based, environmental and constructional projects.

The Geomembrane industry uses business to encompass the lining and covering of dams, reservoirs, landfills, effluent lagoons, tunnels, irrigation channels, mines and tanks.

What is a Geomembrane Technician?

A Geomembrane Technician is a complex operator of welding tools and extruding machines that control the regulation of pressures, temperatures and speeds during construction based operations. This form of Geomembrane welding includes the use of products including HPDE, Polypropylene and LLDPE.

These technicians have expertise in engineering and the ability to comply with OH&S requirements; operate in fabrication workshops and perform to the highest standards on construction sites. They are aware and knowledgeable on the subject of construction methodologies and technical specifications, enabling them to work in a prestigious and highly technical competent business sector.

Change your life for the better by searching for a job today!

- Does this role sound familiar to you?

- Have you got the required experience to part-take in such a role?

- Then why not visit the Acorn Global website and apply today!

Naomi Clark

Looking for a job? Australia needs you!

Recent news of the improving economy is undoubtedly a positive step for the UK job market. Those who are out of work however, may find small comfort in this, as companies are understandably still wary of taking on new staff when the future is still uncertain.

So what to do in this situation? Many people are now looking into employment opportunities overseas, where the job market is more stable. Australia is becoming an increasingly popular destination for job seekers, as the country is currently facing a major skills shortage. This doesn’t look like it will end anytime soon either, as a recent survey by professional service company KPMG revealed that the current skills shortage in Australia is likely to remain a “permanent feature”.

Move abroad for a great new life!

Further information from the Department of Immigration have shown that the application for skilled migration visas have risen 26.4% from 2010-2012, with around 91,050 workers in Australia under the program in June this year.

The selection of available jobs in Australia is incredibly varied, and there is something to suit all different skill levels. From Labourers to Geomembrane Installers, the mining industry in particular is looking to recruit from the UK to fill positions. 

One great example of how Australia is becoming a popular destination for people looking for work is the rise in popularity of certain jobs that have decreased in other countries. In the UK in particular, the declining manufacturing and construction industry has seen demand for welders drop in recent years. It might be harder to get into the industry at home but highly-skilled welders can still earn as much as £40,000 a year. However, in other countries the need for welders is much higher – and so are the wages: Australia is a great example of this.

Over on the Acorn Global website, there are currently a fantastic selection of jobs, not only in Australia but all over the world. Whatever your skills or qualifications are, there is a career for you, so why not make 2013 the year you change your life for the better?