Britons flock to Opportunities New Zealand Expo

For immediate release
7 April 2008

Britons flock to Opportunities New Zealand Expo

Thousands of potential British migrants flocked to the Opportunities New Zealand Expo in London over the weekend.

With the immigration debate once again in the spotlight and New Zealand’s acknowledged skills shortage, more than 30 New Zealand-based companies offered hundreds of jobs to more than 6000 visitors to the Expo at London’s Olympia.

Increasing numbers of New Zealand employers continue to look to the growing migrant market to fill their skills shortages.

Companies such as HamiltonJet, ASB and Fletcher Construction were among those looking for people across the engineering and construction, healthcare, education, trades, mining, banking and IT/telecommunications sectors.

Scott Mathieson, director and co-founder of Expo organisers Working In, is delighted with the success of the first Opportunities New Zealand Expo in the United Kingdom this year.

``Demand for migrants to fill skills shortages has increased so much that we’ve got four, two-day recruitment expos in the UK this year - in Leeds as well as London – and one for the first time in South Africa in July,’’ he says.

``We’re expecting more than 20,000 highly skilled potential British and South African migrants to attend these Expos, with about 5000 securing jobs and landing on New Zealand shores within the next 12 months,’’ he says.

Employers at the Opportunities New Zealand Expo were particularly impressed with the quantity and quality of potential migrants, and would be following up with interviews and job offers.

By the end of the first day of the Expo, HamiltonJet had collected plenty of CVs and manufacturing and engineering manager Jon Leadbeater was positive about making some job offers.

``We’re particularly looking for trade qualified machinists and foundry workers as well as engineering professionals with solid engineering backgrounds, and experienced workshop leaders and supervisory staff,’’ he says.

``There’s a real mix of backgrounds and all these people are genuinely interested in moving to New Zealand to start a new life.’’

Cuddon Ltd CEO Andy Rowe was targeting refrigeration engineers, qualified welders, sheet metal engineers and machinists, and after the first day had collected about 30 CVs and was about to make four job offers.

``I’m happy with the type of people that have been through and most are of a very high standard with very good trade experience,’’ he says.

Working In has specialised in recruiting returning New Zealanders and new migrants to New Zealand since 1998 and works directly with Immigration New Zealand to identify skill shortages and seek recruits to fill those gaps.

``We work with some of New Zealand’s largest companies and our relationship with Immigration New Zealand means we can quickly bring in skilled migrants to plug critical skill and knowledge gaps here,’’ says Mr Mathieson.

``All potential recruits at our events have paid to come to the Expo and are committed to moving to New Zealand. They are highly qualified candidates who want to come here and have the experience that New Zealand needs.’’

Migration, banking and leading real estate organisations like Bayleys are also on hand with many migrants buying their future homes directly through the Expos.

``It’s a complete package, supported by internet and print channels, that appeals to both employers and potential employees,’’ says Mr Mathieson.

``We have appreciable and growing gaps in our knowledge and skills in New Zealand but our experience at Working In is that there is no shortage of skilled people wanting to come here and fill those gaps.’’

The next Opportunities New Zealand Expo is being held next week – on April 12 and 13 - in Leeds. To find out more please visit www.expo-newzealand.com, or www.workingin.com.

ENDS

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