well, we went through DCF, and through filing for a waiver, and we finally got our visa in early Feb, albeit with a 29 March expiration date (eek!), so now we're thinking about the details of moving...

my husband has a BTec in Electronics, but has 12 years work experience as a buyer (purchasing); most of the jobs we've seen advertised in the US want a Bachelor's degree---do employers investigate qualifications? does a BTec translate into anything worthwhile in the US? should we lie about it and say it's a Bachelor's of Technology? any thoughts?

we don't want to lie but are hoping that it might be viewed as a 'specialist certificate' or something...

thanks for any help!

anna

It would be roughly equivalent to time in a trade or a technical school, possibly an Associates degree (roughly equivalent to A-levels) depending on what type of BTEC (national award, national certificate, national diploma etc.) it actually is.

Unfortunately this is probably not going to be much help to your husband in getting a job, as it's nowhere near a Bachelor's degree. when you write his resume, make sure his experience is what you emphasize, as that seems to be much more of an asset.

Whether or not an employer investigates qualifications depends on the employer; my husband's employer did and my last three employers have also ordered my transcripts. However both he and I have worked for places that do not, so it's the luck of the draw, really.

BTEC Advanced translates into an Associates Degree. Most jobs will favor the experience over the qualifications. Associates Degree is not a million miles off a Batch (Batch is the next stage up) and with 12 yrs experience I don't think he has much to worry about.