Skilled migrants benefit niche tech manufacturer in Armidale

The skilled migration success story at ICT International in Armidale, David Macasieb, Dr. Peter Cull & Vuong Ba Tran.

An Armidale tech business exporting to the world continues to grow global markets after solving their staffing needs with Regional Development Australia Northern Inland’s (RDANI) Skilled Migration program.

“Two skilled migrants have been working at ICT International for close to a year now and it’s been such a positive experience for them and ICT, we were compelled to share the story in our latest skilled migration case study video to go online,” Regional Development Australian Northern Inland (RDANI) Senior Skilled Migration & Project Officer Gary Fry said.

View the video on the case studies section of the RDANI website or on YouTube by clicking HERE.

ICT International is a highly specialised manufacturer of precision scientific equipment that measures, monitors and records moisture content in soil and plants. The business has been achieving steady growth, throughout Australia and internationally, exporting instruments to over 50 countries.

Dr. Peter Cull is the Director of ICT International and he said that one of their biggest business hurdles was finding staff with the skills and experience they need, in order to function, let alone grow. “We typically need electronic engineers, microprocessor engineers and service people,” said Dr. Cull. “The Skilled Regional State Nominated Visa program has been absolutely critical to the further growth and development of our business because we have been able to access the skilled staff we need.”

The video also highlights first-hand accounts from the two skilled migrants about how positive their Northern Inland New South Wales move and professional employment has been, with appreciation voiced for the support they received from RDANI.

Vuong Ba Tran is an electrical engineer from Vietnam. He has found his job at ICT International to be a rewarding opportunity for which his skills are perfectly suited. “I graduated from the Queensland University of Technology and applied for the 489 visa. When it was granted and I moved to Armidale, I started working at the tomato farm. Then, applied for an electrical engineer position at ICT International. Peter and Susan Cull gave me a start in my professional career. I love working and living here; the regional visa has worked well for me,” he said.

David Macasieb comes from the Philippines but worked extensively in Singapore. He came to the Northern Inland region as an Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (Special Class). He found his position at ICT International (as an electronic engineer field technician) through Regional Development Australian Northern Inland's Skilled Migration Jobs Board Northern Inland Facebook Group, a service for skilled migrants and regional employers. With 600 members, this group has become a greatly valued resource, responsible for numerous job outcomes and settlement support. David’s wife has also found skilled employment in the child-care sector in Armidale.

In the case study video, David outlines the positives he has experienced in settling in a regional centre, from the dining out options and shopping to the infrastructure and services. The people I work with and the community are so friendly and supportive,” he said. “ICT International has a lot of growth potential because of the excellent product they have developed. I am extremely grateful to Dr. Peter and Susan Cull for this opportunity.”

Regional Development Australian Northern Inland brought Vuong and David to the region as skilled migrants, through the Skilled Regional State Nominated (489 sub-class) visa program. This visa is now closed and will be replaced by the similar Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) subclass 491 visa on 16 November 2019.