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JOBS FOR BUILDING BOOM

By Lawrence Johnston

PLUMBERS, carpenters, mechanics and engineers are among a host of trades for which jobs are waiting to be filled in Hawkes Bay.
The spot on the east coast of North Island also needs chefs, dairy farm managers and beekeepers, as well as doctors, nurses, therapists both specific and general, and pharmacists. The seemingly endless list also includes chartered surveyors, pilots, accountants, draughts people, canvas fabricators, and truck and crane drivers.
Ron Massey, Economic Development Manager for Napier City Council said he has positions to fill as soon as possible for most of these jobs. Also, generally, UK skills matched the New Zealand environment better than most other countries.
"Our infrastructures are similar," he said.
Most of the trade vacancies are in the building sector.
"We have been on a growth spurt for several years. In the building boom, getting someone to do a job isn't easy. Businesses often struggle to meet contracts as they haven't the skilled staff to do the work," he said.
Asked what the effect would be if the jobs weren't filled, Mr Massey said: "Everyone will have to wait, I guess. We are in this mess for several reasons.
"Ten years ago, the New Zealand government abolished the apprenticeship schemes and told the industries to provide their own schemes. Some took up to seven years to get their act together, so fewer tradesmen were coming through.
"Also, kids from school were encouraged to go to university first - unlike previous years, anyone can get in now - which stopped numbers going into trades for some three to four years straight from school. You have to pay for university now. The government will lend you the costs, which you have to pay back, so many get their degree then head off for the UK and Australia for better wages."
Mr Massey said that though New Zealand wages tended to be less than those in the UK, Hawkes Bay's lifestyle was a winner and the cost of living was less.
The average home cost £105,000, so when the cost of living was factored in, what New Zealanders had left from their pay packet was much the same as UK inhabitants.
"I've been all over the world, and I would choose to live in Hawkes Bay ahead of anywhere else," he said.
His advice to potential migrants was: "Do your research well. I find that most migrants want a better lifestyle, and will go to a location where they can get a job. We don't think like that. First, choose where you want to live, and sort out the job second," he said.