News feature story Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

News feature story - Article Example He has said that the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) is outdated and has one hundred and six occupations, many of which are less skilled and no longer in demand. The Senator has announced a new Skilled Occupation List (SOL) intended to focus on high value trades and professions and to deliver highly skilled immigrants and crackdown on persons who, through low-value education courses, are in search of permanent residency in Australia. The list will be introduced mid-year and a review of points test used to assess migrants to ensure the selection of the best and brightest will take place. SOL is a critical reform in the overhaul of the skilled migration program by the Government and it closes the door on people seeking to manipulate the migration system. All offshore General Skilled Migration’s applications placed before 1 September 2007 will be withdrawn. These people applied overseas under easier standards, including a less rigorous work experience requirement and lower English language skills. Only persons with pertinent qualifications in occupations that it lists will qualify for independent general skilled migration. Worthy to note is the fact that the new SOL introduction does not change the concessions announced in February that provide generous transition arrangements for current and former international students looking for a visa under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program.