Healthy but tight jobs market

Healthy but tight jobs market

The October-December Hays Quarterly Report, released today, confirms that our labour market is healthy, but it is becoming tight, with a growing list of skills now in short supply across New Zealand.

“New Zealand’s job market is healthy as businesses ramp up their hiring activity,” says Jason Walker, Managing Director of Hays in New Zealand.

“Employers are putting on permanent as well as temporary staff and those organisations that reduced headcount during the GFC are now growing their teams to take advantage of business conditions. Even at the support level employers are recruiting to fill skills gaps.

“But increased demand has quickly exposed the underlying shortage of specialist skills. The overall number of good available candidates has fallen. High-quality candidates, who have a solid level of experience, do not remain in the job market for long. So while the cloud above job security may have gone, we’re bracing for a storm for skills,” he said.

In order to help overcome emerging skills shortages, Hays suggest employers take action. “It’s safe to say that most employers we speak to are aware that the market is becoming candidate short again,” said Jason.

“Subsequently there has been an increase in the number of candidates who receive multiple job offers and counter offers. Employers are also starting to shorten their recruitment timeframes in response to the growing competition for the top talent, and are becoming flexible in their set requirements. They’re also investing in their branding in order to ensure the best possible market perception.

“We also advise employers to differentiate their offering to appeal to potential candidates. Knowing what factors each jobseeker is likely to base their decision making on is critical to a successful hire. For example, we suggest organisations communicate clear progression opportunities.”

According to the October to December Hays Quarterly Report, the following skills are in demand:

• Hays Accountancy & Finance – commerce & industry: Newly qualified Financial Accountants with commercial experience are in demand, as are experienced Company Accountants with specific industry backgrounds. Those with manufacturing or service industry experience are the most highly sought after. Management Accountants and Business/Financial Analysts with NZCA qualification, newly qualified Accountants, Credit Controllers, Payroll Clerks with two or more years New Zealand experience and Accounts Payable candidates are also sought.

• Accountancy & Finance – professional practice: CA Qualified candidates are in increasing demand since a growing number are moving out of professional practice into corporate. Also sought are experienced intermediate to senior Business Advisory Services candidates, Accountants from any discipline with strong business development skills and Xero certified candidates.

• Construction: Quantity Surveyors with experience in full pre- and post-contract administration are in demand for projects working to tight deadlines and with low margins. Site and Project Managers with experience managing interiors projects, Civil Project Managers, Civil Contracts Managers and Commercial Estimators with experience pricing and tendering projects above $5 million are also sought.

• Contact Centres: Senior Customer Service candidates who can hit the ground running are sought. Also in demand are Specialist Customer Service candidates with industry experience, for example utilities or FMCG. Solid Telesales/Account Managers are in demand as businesses try to generate more revenue.

• Energy: Design consultancies are looking for Protection Engineers, Transmission Engineers and Process and Mechanical Engineers with a Hydro or Geothermal background. Meanwhile power generation companies are seeking experienced Planners, Project Managers, Estimators, Transmission and Distribution Line Mechanics, Cable Jointers and Protection Technicians.

• Engineering: Civil & Structural Engineers continue to be key areas of demand. Employers are recruiting at the intermediate to senior level and want candidates with strong client-facing skills and local New Zealand experience. Also in demand are Structural Engineers and Transportation and Water Engineers.

• Information Technology: Demand has increased for Business Analysts, Technical Solutions and Applications Development candidates as general market confidence returns.

• Legal: Banking and Finance Lawyers, especially those focused on debt recovery and insolvency, insurance and litigation, are sought as the economy improves, while a number of companies are becoming insolvent. Experienced Litigators continue to be in demand while firms are beginning to recruit Corporate and Commercial Lawyers again. The Christchurch earthquake will see demand rise for Solicitors to engage in insurance claims and ongoing issues of future construction and planning.

• Office Support: Across New Zealand’s construction industry, the number of projects is increasing, which is creating a need for Site Administrators and Document Controllers. NEED TO UPDATE WHEN OS FINALISED

• Policy & Strategy: Experienced Analysts with either RMA or environmental, monitoring or compliance exposure are in demand. Government funding to tackle waste minimisation and sustainable development issues means that Analysts with experience in applying environmental concerns to wider policy problems are in demand for a number of ministries. Those Analysts with skills in monitoring funds and analysing data sets will be of value to a number of departments that are undertaking research projects across sectors.

• Property: We have seen an increase in candidate movement at the entry level as people look for a new role. The continual shortage of skills has created demand for Property Managers and Project Quantity Surveyors. There is also a shortage of locally experienced Building Surveyors.

• Resources & Mining: Candidates with general underground mining experience, from the operational to senior level, are sought. Also in demand are Heavy Diesel Mechanics given national major contract wins, while Exploration Drillers are needed for two new major mine companies which are exploring possibilities.

View the full Hays Quarterly Report, including employer and candidate trends, and further details on the above hotspots, at www.hays.net.nz/report

Hays, the world’s leading recruiting experts in qualified, professional and skilled people.

ENDS

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