NZ’s strong vacancy activity will attract Kiwi’s home

NZ’s strong vacancy activity will attract Kiwi’s home this FY

New Zealand’s job market is very busy with continued high demand for candidates across the board – and a leading recruiter says overseas Kiwi’s are taking note.

In its latest Hays Quarterly Report for July to September, recruiting experts Hays says the job charge is being led by high volumes of work in the construction sector, which is fuelling demand for candidates across the board, while economic growth is also keeping demand for accountancy professionals high.

The sales sector is active too, with Business Development Managers with the desire, passion and confidence to proactively secure business in highest demand.

“New Zealand continues to enjoy relatively strong economic growth, which is fuelling demand for skilled professionals and in turn depleting the local candidate pool,” says Jason Walker, Managing Director of Hays in New Zealand. “Today there is an increasing shortage of candidates, especially those with relevant New Zealand experience, and employers are finding it harder to identify, attract and secure top talent.

“In positive news, we’re seeing New Zealanders return from Australia thanks to the good jobs on offer here. This is great news for the quality of our local candidate pool. Most of these professionals have been in Australia for a number of years and are now looking to move back to family and friends.”

Jason also says that candidates are becoming more discerning when looking for their next job. “Candidates are more career, salary and package aware,” he says. “They are being offered increasing numbers of opportunities and so will take the time to look into an employer’s EVP. Work-life balance has also come to the fore, with the location of a role very important. Some candidates have even told us that they’d take a slight salary drop in order to secure a role closer to home and avoid a lengthy commute.”

So where is staffing demand highest? A selection of skills in demand from the Hays Quarterly Report for the July to September quarter includes:

• Financial Accountants with qualifications and industry experience: These professionals are always sought yet fewer people qualify in industry and start their career in transactional roles. In addition, many Financial Accountants move into senior or management accounting roles, which also depletes candidate supply.

• Payrollers: There are not enough payroll skills to meet demand. In addition, candidates are often promoted out of this job function, adding to the supply shortage.

• Senior BAS Accountants in professional practice: The growth in advisory services and shortage of quality candidates who were trained in top firms and can work with larger clients fuels this demand.

• Senior Revit Technicians: Most large commercial architecture practices operate on Revit. Employers are also looking for candidates who can mentor other members of the team.

• Intermediate Quantity Surveyors: There is a high volume of commercial, residential and civil projects currently underway. Senior commercial Quantity Surveyors are also sought.

• Customer Service Representatives: Technical professionals with a can-do attitude and real hunger for customer service are needed.

• Telemarketers and Fundraising Specialists: These roles typically have a higher turnover rate and so candidates are frequently sought to replace departing staff.

• Substation/Electrical Fitters: With an increased amount of work across New Zealand’s energy sector, and a lack of training in this area, there is a shortage of suitable candidates.

• Structural Engineers: These candidates are needed in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. In addition, Auckland needsIntermediate Civil Engineers in land subdivision, Wellington needs Transportation Engineers due to consistent transport network upgrades, and Christchurch needs Land Surveyors and Planners.

• Facilities Managers with building compliance knowledge: With building standards becoming more detailed, this skill is certainly an asset in the FM industry.

• HR Business Partners: Employers want highly experienced candidates with strategic planning skills who can step into the organisation and help bring about change.

• Data Scientists: Companies continue to see the value in using raw data to predict future results or make more informed decisions, and therefore demand is expected to remain high.

• Quality claims professionals: Sought across the country, there is a huge supply shortage in insurance due to the salaries on offer and the retention of existing staff.

• Commercial Property Solicitors: New Zealand’s buoyant property market has created high demand for these professionals but there is a shortage of candidates with suitable experience.

• Digital marketing: Digital marketing experts are in huge demand thanks to a number of new digital initiatives and projects.

• Office Administrators: The general increase in work has created a need for candidates with a good level of experience in a similar role or industry, and a degree.

• Strategic Procurement Leads/Managers: Employers look for hands-on candidates with staff management experience.

• Client-side Project Managers: Property companies are adding headcount in this area. With a strong body of work, firms remain confident to hire candidates with New Zealand experience.

• Business Development Managers: Every sales team craves a ‘hunter’ who has the desire, passion and confidence to proactively get business from and/or ahead of the opposition.

• Electricians, Plumbers, Painters, Plasterers and Carpenters: Tradespeople are in high demand to work on major property and construction projects.

To see the full list of skills in demand and trends for your industry, please visit www.hays.net.nz/report

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

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