How does a skilled labour shortage occur?
The NZ border has been closed since March 2020 which created (and still creates) a problem for NZ employers. The NZ labour force is supported by migrants, therefore, employers are unable to supplement and support their workforce with migrant staff. The border has started to re-open, mainly to Kiwis, and we will start to see more migrants entering NZ as 2022 rolls on.
Due to the effects of Covid, unemployment is at a record low in NZ. Kiwis that are looking for employment, can get a job. There are still more vacancies to fill, and employers cannot access migrant labour offshore due to the border closure.
Every industry in NZ is screaming out for staff - Health, Construction, Education, Hospitality, Agriculture, Horticulture, Retail, Tourism and more. We act for a wide range of employers in these industries and can attest to the calls for more staff! Every week there are media articles from employers, education institutes or the government confirming the current state of affairs, that more migrants are needed.
How does a skilled labour shortage affect the wider community?
Migrants support communities by boosting school enrolments, making tax contributions based on their employment, and engaging in sporting, social, religious, and cultural activities. This kind of enrichment is important for NZ which is dealing with an ageing population, and low/diminishing populations in rural regions. NZ is a relatively small population of around 5 million people. The birth rate has declined by 20% in the last decade. We need more people to achieve our economic and social goals, therefore migrants are an important part of the equation and overall solution.
How is a skilled labour shortage resolved?
The border needs to reopen, which will happen in stages throughout 2022. This will allow employers to access pools of migrants offshore who have returned to their home countries due to the pandemic and are awaiting new opportunities to arise.
NZers are also a factor in resolving the labour shortage of course. This can be achieved through schemes the government has implemented such as free tertiary education in the first year of studies, apprenticeship programmes, and upskilling and support for existing staff. The minimum wage rises to $21.20 from 1 April 2022; and the median wage rate in NZ is currently $27 per hour. NZ ranks well in OECD nations for its wage rates, and it is important to keep wages attractive to engage and retain Kiwis.
How does VisaMaxNZ aid in a skilled labour shortage?
We guide employers to secure a Visa for migrant staff from start to finish. We assist with labour market checks (advertising roles); screening candidates; employment agreement checks; drafting job descriptions; advising on market rates; preparing and lodging Visa applications; monitoring applications with Immigration New Zealand and reporting on the Visa outcome.
Our greatest strength is our high-level immigration of expertise at fair fees. With rising wages and living costs in NZ, it is critical that we provide unbeatable expertise that employers can afford in the NZ immigration industry. There is no other major provider offering this kind of support to help employers hire migrant staff.
How can VisaMaxNZ help a skilled migrant find work in New Zealand?
We are able to assist with offshore recruitment ahead of the border re-opening and liaise with offshore recruitment agencies in the Philippines, Nepal, and Sri Lanka primarily to source migrant staff. VisaMaxNZ also engages with recruitment agencies within NZ to help find staff as well as any direct hires that employers have. We cover every industry in NZ and can help connect employers with the relevant migrant labour pool.
