Murray Now

Another Murray Region business hit by a skills shortage is reaping the rewards of the Murray Business Skilled Migration Unit.

Copy Print Scan is an office automation and document management company with offices throughout the North East and Southern Murray region. When they looked to expand their service department two years ago, Australia was in the midst of peak employment. Managing Director Chris Weddall says the company explored all of its options.

"We have a difficulty in our industry in that there are not a surplus number of qualified technicians that specialize in the office automation industry," Mr Weddall said.

"We've tried advertising in Melbourne and Sydney and we don't get a lot of break through impact there, so when we received an application from Lloyd Lopes who had recently arrived in the region, we gave him an interview and we've been impressed ever since."

Lloyd Lopes is an electrical technician and his wife Surekha is a school teacher. They both came from Mumbai India, seeking the wide open spaces and quality of life that Australia has become renowned for.

They came over on a Skilled Regional Independent Visa that was certified by the Murray Business Skilled Migration Unit for the Murray Regional Development Board. Members of the Murray Now team also helped them settle into the region.

What has impressed the Lopes family most is the level of safety and security they feel.

"The law and order is good here and there is no corruption," Mr Lopes said.

"When we first came to Albury and Nicole from Murray Regional Development Board drove us down the main street, we couldn't believe there were no bars on the windows, there was just glass and anybody could break in."

Adjusting to the open spaces, fewer people and less noise also took time.

"In India we sleep with noisy ceiling fans above us because of the heat," Mr Lopes said.

"When we arrived we couldn't sleep for two days because it was so quiet. It is completely different, but I love it. I was in Melbourne for a few days not long ago and I didn't like it, so the country really suits me."

From a work perspective, Mr Lopes has fitted in well, gaining confidence and improving his communication skills along the way.

"Lloyd came to us with previous experience in our industry," Mr Weddall said.

"He understood principles of a photocopier and how they worked, so that gave us an advantage. The other benefit of hiring Lloyd as a trainee is that he also gave us extra experience in electrical work, data work and that sort of thing, so it gave us some in-house skills we previously didn't have. Hiring Lloyd is an experience we're glad we've had"

From a cultural perspective, Copy Print Scan has shown flexibility, adaptability and an appreciation of Mr Lopes Indian heritage. They have also been proud to show him the benefits of the Australian way of life.

"As a company we celebrate our Christmas by taking our staff away on a holiday each year," Mr Weddall said.

"Last year we took Lloyd and his wife to Cairns with us and we all went out snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef. I think as long as I live I will never forget the look on Lloyd and Surekha's face when they put their head in the water with snorkels on for the first time and saw the coral and fish. They found it unbelievable and wondered why they hadn't come to Australia years ago."