Just when you thought TRA couldn’t stoop any lower, it has now been revealed that a TRA skills assessment application will be refused if the only contact number provided in an employment reference is a mobile number.

We know a number of employers, primarily in trade occupations, that only operate with mobile numbers. Why would plumbers, electricians, landscape gardeners, etc. who work at their customers’ premises require landlines?

TRA’s position is that there is no way of knowing if a given mobile phone number is really that of the employer, even if other information is given about the employer in the application.

Ludicrous, ridiculous, pathetic…we could go on and on.