Newkiwis Part Answer To Worsening Skills Shortage

Newkiwis Immigrants Part Of Answer To Worsening Skills Shortage

Targeting the large pool of skilled new immigrants seeking full time employment is an obvious strategy for employers having difficulty recruiting skilled staff.

Michael Barnett, Chief Executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, was commenting on the National Bank survey finding that businesses are experiencing increasing difficulty recruiting skilled staff.

The National Bank survey confirms the trend of Chamber of Commerce surveys showing that sourcing skilled staff has been gradually getting harder over the past two years.

“It is a paradox that on the one hand employers are reporting a skills shortage, while many highly skilled new immigrants seeking fulltime employment are having great difficulty securing a position relevant to their skills,” said Mr Barnett.

Through a joint venture NewKiwis scheme between the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and NZ Immigration Service, approximately 400 skilled new immigrants had secured full-time jobs.

The scheme had recently been extended to include a work experience programme with the Department of Work and Income to identify businesses seeking skilled workers and provide NewKiwis job seekers the opportunity to gain work experience on a temporary basis.

“Clearly, part of the solution to the shortage of skilled people lies in improving networking, consultation and communication between institutions assisting immigrants seeking suitable employment and employers seeking suitable employees.”

Employers seeking information on the Chamber’s NewKiwis scheme is available on the web at http:// http://www.newkiwis.co.nz

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