Jobs in New Zealand

Department of Labour estimates 200,000 new jobs by 2015.

By Ian Armitage

New Zealand boasts an abundance of enviable lifestyle opportunities - spectacular scenery, easy access to outdoor activities, less stressful working environments, excellent schools and child-friendly communities, straightforward and hospitable people… and JOBS, plenty of jobs!

Over 20,000 permanent and long-term migrants made New Zealand their home last year. And it is easy to see why.

It has proven to be a great place for businesses to grow and prosper – and the country is full of opportunities for skilled migrants to develop their careers.

Business confidence in the country is up; employers all over New Zealand are telling us that they need more skilled workers.

Where are the jobs? Well, retail trade, hospitality and business services are likely to lead the way in creating around 200,000 new jobs by 2015, the Department of Labour’s quarterly report, Likely Areas of Growth in Employment Opportunities, suggests.

While the February earthquake has dampened short-term business confidence, employment is expected to rise, particularly as the Canterbury rebuild gets underway.

Head of research, Vasantha Krishnan, said the outlook for the primary sector is positive, with agriculture and forestry continuing to be strong.

“While our forecasts for the retail sector contrast with the current subdued conditions, we are anticipating a stronger recovery, particularly in the later years of the forecast period.

“Construction is also likely to exit the doldrums as the Canterbury rebuild gets underway and increased confidence is reflected in greater activity.”

A recovery in manufacturing is expected to continue, led by food, beverage, machinery and equipment production. This will be mostly centred on Auckland.

The largest job increases are expected to be for managers in fields such as information technology, human resources, sales and marketing, engineering, finance, advertising and public relations, retail and construction.

According to recruiting experts Hays, meanwhile, New Zealand will require more workers with expertise in healthcare, infrastructure, financial services and green energy.

In the report ‘Creating Jobs in a Global Economy, 2011-2030’, compiled in partnership with economic forecaster Oxford Economics, Hays says that the ageing population and its healthcare needs, anticipated vast spending on infrastructure in developing countries, continued growth and increasing sophistication of financial services and a shift toward green energy will boost demand for skilled professionals.

“Population, globalisation and technological advances will combine to influence the skills that will be most highly sought in New Zealand by 2030,” said Jason Walker, Managing Director of Hays in New Zealand. “Over the next 20 years New Zealand, like the rest of the ageing developed world, will likely become chronically short of health workers,” he added. “By contrast, the developing world will face a period of rapid industrialisation and infrastructure construction, which will create a need for skilled and experienced workers currently unavailable in sufficient numbers domestically.

“New Zealand will need to find a way to maintain our competitive edge in key industries by investing in the future skills required against a backdrop of a smaller and older pool of workers."

Walker said that most of the growth in demand for financial sector workers would occur in countries where the sector is already large.

In New Zealand, demand for skilled staff in this area will remain strong, he says.

“The increasing number of elderly people will raise demand for healthcare professionals. Across the globe, the numbers of over 65s are forecast to increase by 446 million. Countries will need to devote increasing numbers to work in the healthcare industry or increase inward migration.

“Climate change will lead to job creation in the development of green energy sources and in occupations needed to mitigate the impacts of global warming. In the short-term, this will include some increases in jobs to design, manufacture, install and operate the new renewable electricity generating plants. As new fuels are developed, the technology will be used in a wider range of vehicles and consumer goods, which will require new production lines or the refit of existing ones. But it is also likely to lead to job losses in industries closely connected to the generation and use of fossil fuels.

“The industrialisation of some of the larger emerging markets is likely to lead to the need for considerable infrastructure investment, and so significant demand for skilled labour in the construction and engineering sectors. This will require inward migration of highly skilled temporary construction workers. These are likely to include architects, civil engineers and experienced trades people. It should also increase the demand for more permanent skilled labour in the production of engineering and mechanical goods,” he said.

In all of these cases demand for employees and for skilled workers will increase.

“These four issues will obviously not be the only issues or changes to impact on the skilled labour market over the next 20 years; but they give good guides to what skills will be needed and how employers can ensure businesses’ needs are met most efficiently,” Walker concluded.

There are lots of wonderful opportunities for Brits in New Zealand.

-ENDS-

BOX OUT

If you are interested in moving to New Zealand, we highly recommend visiting the Working in New Zealand expo in Leeds this July:

09 - 10 July 2011

Saviles Hall (opposite Royal Armouries Museum)

Armouries Square

Leeds

Saturday, 9 July 2011: 10.00am - 4.00pm

Sunday, 10 July 2011: 10.00am - 3.00pm

Each Ticket Costs £15.00 Children under 16 years of age are free.

www.expo-newzealand.com

Issue 8, Australia & New Zealand Outlook