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SKILLED ARE STILL NEEDED By Lawrence JohnstonNEW Zealand is successfully attracting the migrants it needs. But despite being encouraged by the latest migration figures in an increasingly mobile and competitive global climate, Immigration Minister David Cunliffe said last month that immigration had an even greater role to play as the nation sought to attract the skills and talent needed for economic transformation. "We are already doing well but need to stay ahead by responding to local and international trends," he said. The Department of Labour's sixth annual 'Migration Trends' report showed a 21 per cent rise in work permits issued in the 2005/06 year compared with the previous year. Nearly 100,000 people were issued work permits in sectors ranging from IT to horticulture in that year. That was nearly three times the 35,000 work permits issued in 1999-2000. Some 52,000 people were approved for permanent New Zealand residence in 2005/06. More than 60 per cent came in the skilled or business categories. It was a reflection of New Zealand employers' continued need for overseas staff in an environment of low unemployment and shortages of Kiwi workers. It also demonstrated the changing nature of migration. "People are becoming increasingly mobile in a competitive global environment, where there are more opportunities for people than ever before," Mr Cunliffe said. In 1985 an estimated 84 million people were living outside their country of origin. This figure was forecast to rise to 230 million by the year 2050. Mr Cunliffe said these trends supported his announcements last year initiating a substantive immigration change programme. "This will ensure our immigration legislation, policies and systems continue to respond to new trends and meet New Zealand's needs in the 21st Century. "We are now looking ahead to ensure immigration helps move New Zealand into a high income, knowledge-based market economy for the future," Mr Cunliffe said. The report showed the highest number of residence approvals since 2001/02. Three-quarters of the principal skilled migrant applicants approved in 2005/06 had a skilled New Zealand job offer, and 31 per cent had qualifications in an area of absolute skills shortage. The UK was the largest source of skilled migrant approvals, accounting for 41 percent of approvals overall - up ten per cent on the previous year. South Africa was the next largest source country with 12 per cent of approvals, followed by China on 11 per cent. A growing number of Chinese students are applying for residence as skilled migrants after gaining New Zealand qualifications. The UK is also the largest source country overall for the New Zealand Residence Programme, with 29 per cent of all residence approvals (including categories such as Family and Humanitarian). The report's findings on people who move from temporary to permanent permits, show that nine out of ten principal applicants approved for residence in 2005/06 had previous New Zealand experience. People in New Zealand on temporary permits are often well placed to become permanent residents. Those on work permits often have skills that are in demand, while students can offer employers recognised New Zealand qualifications. A growing proportion of work and student permit holders have become permanent residents. Almost a third of temporary workers gain permanent residence within five years. For students the comparable figure is around 20 per cent. Migrants who have had previous New Zealand experience are likely to settle well. Research has also shown that migrants with previous work experience in New Zealand tend to have good employment outcomes. Most principal applicants approved for residence in 2005/06 had previously held a work, student, or visitor permit. |
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