Employers can’t find New Zealanders to employ
Source: BusinessNZ
--
BusinessNZ says Labour’s proposal to tax employers who are not providing training would be a blunt instrument that would not fix the problem of skills shortages.

Chief Executive Kirk Hope said the real problem is that many employers can’t find New Zealanders to employ.

"The underlying problem is that many employers can’t get New Zealand staff, whether skilled or unskilled - and if they can’t get them, they can’t train them."

He said the proposal raises the issue of whether small businesses have the capacity to be able to deliver training.

"New Zealand businesses are practically all small businesses and they are not set up to be training establishments. A subsidy for businesses to build capacity for training might be more practical.

"Business appreciates the fact we have large numbers of young people not in employment, education or training. Social investment is clearly needed to help this group, and business supports assistance being provided to ensure these young people do not become unemployable.

"However, taxing small businesses because they can’t find New Zealand staff does not help this and other issues involved in the complex area of skill shortages."
ENDS

© Scoop Media