Hello all,
I’m preparing to apply for the Global Talent Visa and would like some clarity on how to count my years of experience. I worked as a software developer for one year, then spent two years as a graduate trainee. During the first year of the trainee program, I rotated through various business units even though I was part of the technology track, and in the second year, I worked as a frontend developer. I’ve now been in a software developer role for another year.
Would the first year of the graduate trainee program count toward my total years of experience? In other words, should I consider my total experience as three years or four?
You are not alone, lots of applicants have asked me questions around their work experience as relative to the route to choose. I believe for TN endorsement, what really matters is your relevant experience in tech, not just total years worked and if you were paid, because unpaid internships are not considered applicable as part of demonstrating you have up to 5 years work experience
If your first year as a graduate trainee was mostly business or non technical related work, and was unpaid, it might not fully count toward your tech experience. But if you did some technical work or developed skills directly related to software development, and you received payment, you can reasonably include that period as part of your total experience.
In short
If the first trainee year was mostly non technical - count 3 years
If it included meaningful technical work - you can justify 4 years
However, it is important that you explain it clearly in your CV or personal statement so the assessors can see how your experience aligns with the tech route you chose.
Also, I currently work in a bank. It is not a typical product led company however I work with the software development team as a software developer. I saw on the tech nation website that Technical applicants (i.e. programmers) from non-technical organisations are eligible.
I just wanted to confirm if working in the bank will be a problem.