British Expatriate Network

How do British qualifications equate to USA degrees....I'm a highly qualified HGV Mech with 6 years training with Merc behind me, plus city and guilds certs in heavy plant ....anyone know?

The comparison between British adn US qualificats is complicated and depends on the nature of thequalifications, and sometime the State you are moving too. Academic qualification, particularly something like a City & Guilds can be difficult because American organizations simply do not know what they are.

As to the driving; Driving Licenses are the responsibility of the individual State, you will need to obtain a new license to drive a car and separately to drive an HGV.

You mentioned before that you were going to Georgia - this is their DMV website, probably the best place to start:
http://www.dmv.org/ga-georgia/department...rce=google

Out of interest, in what context are you coming to the US (work, spouse etc) - You will obviously need a Green Card to find any work but if you are coming through an employer they may be able to help you with the education side too.

Thanks Rob, I am actually being sponsored by a company in GA, it was taking too long for my labour certification so they decided to hire an attorny and try to get a temp work visa. Now there seems to be a problem with my qualifications.....can't win this one, or can I??

Firstly - Sure you can win.

One of the common denominators on this board is the frustrating processes involved it immigrating to America. You have a big advantage over mant here, you have an employer to sponsor you and the employer is paying for an Attorney.

I can't really offer you any advice, but it never hurts to do some of your own research - such as with the DMV and comparing your skills and certificates with those in the US - then providing this to the Attorney/Sponsor.

I'm also a hgv mech. dave, are you having you're tools shipped over? if so do you mind me asking how much its costing and who's shipping them i have a large snap-on roll cab,mid box and top box i haven't enquired yet about how much it's gonna cost but i can imagine its gonna be horrendous due to the weight cry

Hi, I have a large snap-on roll box with top box which weighs approx 1.5 tons, full. Been quoted anything from £600 to £2000, most companies don't seem to worry about weight only size, one tip though, get them to pack it, its worth the extra.
Can I ask how you managed to get your qualifications converted into USA terms.

Dave

There is a company somewhere that will, for a very large fee, take a look at all your qualifications and "translate" them into American. It turned out that my GCSE's fulfilled all high school requirements and my BTEC National Diploma was only worth college credit in terms of individual classes.......in my case it was all vocational credit so was 150 credits fo absolutely bugger all value.

I haven't started spannering yet over here, my tools are still in blighty when i get everything sorted out i will at some point want to get them shipped over, don't know what to do regarding qualifications,have to cross that one when i come to it keep us updated how you go on. good luck wink

I will try to see if I can find the info for the guy that "translated" my husbands qualifications from English to American.

I know hubby was dead chuffed that he came out sounding much more qualified in "American"

I'm not sure how much the guy charged to do this because it was paid for by the company.

thanx a lot..that would be very helpfull..

http://www.trustfortecorp.com/

The above did the translation of Mr Shirl's degrees for his H1B. They should be able to help you.

My husband was sponsored by a company in the US and they hired an attorney to do all the green card work. He had to send her copies of all his certificates City and Guilds, A levels, the lot. The attorney then sent them to some guy down in Florida (I can find out it you like) who then assessed them and converted them to US standards. The guy put together a report with copies of the certificates and the interpretation. All I can remember about this guy (it was 12 years ago), was that he worked for the government and various State organizations.

Good luck getting your green card. It can be a long drawn out process but a much better way to get to the US than a visa.