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New Zealand industry sectors to watch
Which labour sectors have the brightest future in New Zealand? Lana Clements takes a look and reports on the most promising areas
According to the New Zealand Department of Labour, the industries expected to grow the most over the next few years are business services, health and social services, retail, engineering, and teaching. Industry opportunities vary by region, so it is worth checking out the labour market for the area in which you are hoping to settle.
Business Services
The business services industry is the largest regional employer in both Wellington and Auckland. Advancements in communication and computer technology have changed the way in which businesses work across the world and New Zealand has not been sheltered from the revolution. Businesses now work at a quicker rate, rapidly expanding and changing to keep up with competitors.
Time is money, therefore services which aid the flow and functions of a company are in higher demand than ever before. Staffing and data processing are such services that are increasingly popular for companies to turn to. Employers across all sectors now look for higher skilled and more experienced workers, not least because the government increasingly holds companies accountable for the well-being and best interests of their employees. These needs have fuelled much of the growth in human resources departments. The jobs across this industry are varied and academic qualification requirements will differ by level. However, communication and IT skills are sure to be advantageous when applying for jobs in this sector. Many companies will offer in-house training in the areas of employee and business relations and general management. Job vacancies in this sector are often advertised on company websites and in the local and national press.
Health and social services
As the population in New Zealand becomes larger and more complex, health and social services for the public need to keep advancing in relation to their apparent needs.
Between now and 2011 job growth in this industry is expected to rise by approximately 2.5 per cent a year.
As New Zealand has an aging population more health and social services are required in the country. This has, in part, accounted for increased jobs in this sector. The government evaluates and funds many of the jobs in this industry and may decide that certain services for society need to be created. For example, in recent years there has been high spending and investment in mental health services for the country.
The skills required for jobs will vary accordingly – however, you can expect that clinical and medical training will need to be proven through relevant qualifications, usually a Bachelor of Medicine, Surgery or Science. Nurses and mid-wives will need to be registered and certified to practice with the nursing council of New Zealand. Physiotherapists and pharmacists also have their own respective governing councils and bodies. In fact, most workers in this industry will need to be annually certified as fit to practice.
There is currently a shortage of health professionals in New Zealand, therefore emigrants qualified in this sector shouldn't find it too difficult to to get visas to work in New Zealand. You can also find more information on government initiatives and strategies for the health work force here.
Engineering and management services
Engineering jobs are available throughout most of the country but the electronic industry is based mostly in Canterbury. There are also opportunities in Auckland and Wellington. The market is growing due to demand for increasingly sophisticated infrastructure, technological and social solutions. Mechanical, automotive, chemical, civil and electrical engineering jobs are all set to grow in New Zealand over the coming years.
Chemical engineering in New Zealand typically relates to the production of consumer products from agricultural and forestry materials, rather than production of petrol and fuel. Food engineering is a fast-growing sub-sector of chemical engineering in NZ. Like other public services and infrastructures, much of the job market and growth for civil
engineering is affected by government funding and investment, however, most civil engineers in New Zealand are employed by private firms.
To keep up with international companies and technology, New Zealand will need to continue seeking the skills of mechanical engineers, therefore job growth for this sub-sector is expected to continue, especially in developing alternative fuel sources. Jobs in this sector will almost certainly need related degree qualifications and adequate experience. The Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) is the body responsible for representing all engineers in the country. The IPENZ will also evaluate international qualifications. See IPENZ for more information and for job vacancies in the field.
Amusement, retail and recreation services
This category incorporates a wide range of customer service-based jobs, including those in catering and tourism. The skills or qualifications needed for employment in this industry are not as specialised as in other categories – with a little proven experience, you should quite easily be able to obtain a job.
Many companies provide their employees with training in customer services, health and safety and other skills relevant to the job. The recreation and retail service industry employs many New Zelanders; in Canterbury most full-time employees work in this sector. Much of the growth in retail jobs is fuelled by the increasing amount of tourists to the country, who spend billions of NZ dollars each year on consumer products and services. The downside of not needing specialised skills required for jobs in the sector means that you are unlikely to be rewarded a visa on the basis of being a skilled migrant. However, this sector is most popular for immigrants that are looking to start their own business in New Zealand. To start a business and obtain funding, you will need to have a sound business plan and strategy.
Around 80 per cent of retail businesses are owner-operated and employ fewer than five members of staff, proving that New Zealand really is the land of small business owners, yet to be over-run by international conglomerates, supermarket chains and DIY home stores.
More information:
International academic and vocational qualifications will need to be evaluated by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. You can fill in an application form online to see if your skills convert adequately for professional jobs in New Zealand
You may find it easier to enter New Zealand on a work visa, if you possess skills that are in national shortage. The New Zealand government immigration service has a list of these professions.
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