This week’s BNZ Weekly Overview contained some worrying thoughts and, I guess for recruitment companies, encouraging news…
“Worsening shortages of skilled people” “Record Net Immigration” were some of the comments relating to Australia, who were virtually alone in never going through a technical recession
And where do the Aussies turn for labour – well I guess they do not have far to look!
So as BNZ say this is “likely to become a key dynamic for our labour market very soon with more and more Kiwis likely to head across the ditch to earn 50% more than they can earn here” Now these shortages are not in all areas, but where skills are truly portable such as IT, Auditing, Building and Mining then the lure of the Aussie dollar comes into play and many people will be, at least, considering a move across the ditch – even though some of us feel that the propensity of biting insects, dangerous animals and eternal sunshine can work against the Lucky Country.
It would be useful to have some thoughts from recruiters and employers as to their take on what is happening in the market currently…
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1 Comment for Skills shortage returning very soon?
KrisX | April 28, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Well, James. Through various conversations of late from other recruiters in the NZ market, clearly your comments gell with their thoughts. In particular, IT analysts, programmers and engineers are on the uptake again … perhaps the ‘long awaited’ improvements???? to the NZ technological infrastructure are at cause ……. Although, a little (maybe a lot!!) more competition in THAT area would be welcomed given the on-going and disparate service from ISP’s in NZ. Having waffled/niggled through that one, I would comment that there IS a noticeable, and increased, positivity from recruiters in the generic sector and a leaning to spend hard earned dosh on development and internal technology. Still and all – NZ will continue to lose their brightest to places such as OZ. One only needs to look at some of the best sportspeople of NZ and where they end up! Whilst endeavouring to avoid negativity, NZ employers (and some recruiters I would add) seriously need to buy in to recognising potential in NZ employees and put the time, effort and money into retaining them. Bit of an age old adage, huh?