Changes to New Zealand’s Canterbury Skill Shortage List will take effect from 9th May.
The upcoming amendments include adding a requirement for at least 12 months’ relevant work experience in New Zealand for five occupations – Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic; Carpenter; Carpenter and Joiner; Joiner; and Truck Driver.
The purpose of this additional requirement is to facilitate further work visas for migrants already in New Zealand, but not to attract more workers from offshore now that demand for the Canterbury rebuild is beginning to taper off.
If employers require more workers from offshore they can go through the Canterbury Skills and Employment Hub to test whether there are suitable New Zealanders for the position.
NZ’s Essential Skills in Demand Lists aim to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled migrants to fill skill shortages and to reduce costs and time delays for employers seeking staff. However, this objective must be balanced by the need to ensure that there are no suitably skilled or qualified New Zealand citizens or resident workers available to undertake the work, and that the shortage is genuine.
Article by David Fuller