In a surprising bucking of the trend, New Zealand firms are reportedly looking to Queensland to fill a skills shortage in engineers and tradies in the land of the long white cloud.
According to organisers of a New Zealand jobs expo to be held in Brisbane, the skills areas most in demand include riggers, welders, project managers, quantity surveyors, carpenters, draughtsmen, electricians, engineers, plumbers, as well as logistics, transport, IT and sales personnel.
The Manager of Attraction and Settlement Marketing at New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Greg Forsythe, said New Zealand would need over 26,000 skilled construction and trade workers in the next two years as a number of large projects come on line.
“Major developments in Auckland and Christchurch are expected to need 26,200 additional tradies and construction workers by 2017 including at least 15,800 this year. Increased international demand for New Zealand products is set to create jobs for 10,100 workers in manufacturing, agriculture and transport. We need another 31,900 workers in hospitality, trade and private services and 20,400 in healthcare, education and other public services,” Mr Forsythe said.
“With labour force participation at a record 69.7 per cent, Kiwi employers are looking to Australia as a shared labour market to attract skilled workers who can add real value to their growing businesses.”
Mr Forsythe will be bringing representatives from major New Zealand employers to brisbane this weekend for the The New Zealand Jobs Expo. The expo will run from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 March 2015 at Brisbane Sofitel Central, 249 Turbot Street in Brisbane CBD. Tickets can be purchased in advance at: www.workingin-events.com
“The Jobs Expo is the perfect opportunity to find out about New Zealand. The majority of Australian citizens and permanent residents can live and work in New Zealand without a visa and enjoy immediate access to healthcare and other benefits. The move to New Zealand is much easier than many people may think,” says Mr Forsythe.
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