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SKILLED ARE STILL IN DEMAND

By Lawrence Johnston

NEW Zealand is crying out for automotive electricians and fitter welders. Also badly needed are orchard managers, grower managers, and agronomist/crop production managers.

These are among trades and professions which have been added to the Long Term Skill Shortage List (formerly known as the Priority Occupations List).

Also added are some categories transferred from the Immediate Skill Shortage List (formerly the Occupational Shortage List) such as fitters and turners, plumbers, carpenter/joiners, cabinet makers and boat builders.

In this latter list, the term 'Immediate' relates to the short term nature of the expected vacancies in the occupation.

The main feature of the Immediate Skill Shortage List is the extent to which there is now a shortage of certain skills throughout New Zealand, with jobs such as sheet metal workers, crane operators and osteopaths now being needed in all regions.

NZIS London Branch Manager Kevin Cameron said the changes reflected the country's tighter labour market.

"It's become tougher for employers to find skilled labour in New Zealand so the list of skilled vacancies is growing," he said

And Bruce Burrows NZIS Manager for Europe, Africa and the Americas said the shortages were a reflection of a "very successful" economy. "It's almost reached the point where vacancies exceed the skills supply. It's a long time since we've been in that situation," he said.

The key changes are:

Long Term Skill Shortage List (formerly the Priority Occupations List)

* Civil Engineering expanded to be called Professional Engineers which will include Roading, Design, Structural, Mechanical, Geotechnical, Electronic, Project, Transport/Traffic, Fire, Civil, and Environmental Engineers. Also the qualifications requirements for these occupations have been amended.

* The skills list for Information Communications Technology (ICT) amended to reflect actual skill shortages.

* Orchard Managers, Agronomist/Crop Production Managers and Grower Managers, and Automotive Electricians, Fitter & Turner, Cabinet maker, Boatbuilder, Carpenter/Joiner, Fitter Welder, and Plumber added or transferred from what is now called the Immediate Skill Shortage List.

* Automotive Mechanics (petrol and diesel) become two separate occupations: Diesel Mechanic and Motor Mechanic.

Immediate Skill Shortage List (formerly the Occupational Shortage List)

Added to all regions

* Chip Sealing, Asphalt or other Technical Manager (Roading and Infrastructure) Construction and Maintenance Managers (Roading and Infrastructure) Crane Operators, Crop Foreman, Dairy Farm Managers (and amended to read Farm Manager (Dairy, Sheep/Arable, Beef), Electronic Service Technician, Foreman (Roading and Infrastructure), Florists - Senior, Flooring Tradespersons, Glazier, Heavy Vehicle Drivers, Orchard Foreman, Osteopath, Pig Farm Manager, Plastics Die Setter, Roofing Tradesperson, Scaffolder, Sheet Metal Worker, Shepherd, Ski and Snowboard Technicians

Added to some regions

* Analytical Chemist added to North Island regions.

* Beekeepers added to South Island regions.

* Dental Assistants added to the Auckland region.

* Shearer (wool harvester) added to Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury regions.

Extended to all regions

* Accountant - Chartered, Arborist, Assistant Herd Managers, Autoglazier, Cardio/Respiratory Technician, Chef (added with mandatory qualifications and experience), Early Childhood Education Teacher (replaces Early Childhood Education Supervisor), Hospitality Supervisor, Microbiologist, Post Doctoral fellows, Trackwork rider, Travel Consultant - Senior.

Extended to other regions

* Coach builder extended to include the Waikato region.

Extended occupation

* Land Surveyors has been extended to include Licensed Cadastral (land taxation) Surveyors.

Removed

* Horse Trainer.

* Plastics Research and Development (replaced with Plastics Die Setter).

* Early Childhood Education Supervisor (replaced with Early Childhood Education Teacher).

Removed and added to the Long Term Skill Shortage List (formerly POL)

* Boatbuilder, Cabinet Maker, Carpenter/Joiner, Design Engineer, Electronic Engineer, Fitter and Turner, Plumber, Structural Engineer, Traffic Engineer, Welder.

Renamed

* Doctors - renamed Medical Doctors.

* Dairy Farm Managers - amended to read Farm Manager (Dairy, Sheep/Arable, Beef).

* Electronic Repairs Trades People - renamed Electronic Service Technician.

Qualifications updated

* Teachers.

The current points passmark where skilled people are invited to apply to emigrate to New Zealand currently remains at a low 100.
The passmark is assessed every two weeks according to the quality of people applying to migrate.