Hon Steven Joyce
Minister of Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment
9 October 2012
Media Statement
Occupation Outlook to inform study choices
The Government will ensure young people are better informed about the skills needed in our economy and what to train for
in a new initiative announced as part of the Skilled and Safe Workplaces progress report released today.
Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce announced that the Ministry of Business, Innovation and
Employment will produce an annual Occupational Outlook that will clearly set out information collected from industries
and businesses on the expected demand for key occupations in the years ahead.
“There has been a shortage of good occupation-level information for students, parents and tertiary providers about where
the skill gaps will be and what students need to do to seize those opportunities as they embark on their studies. The
Occupational Outlook will help address that gap,” Mr Joyce says.
“Employers have been telling us anecdotally for some time that there is a supply glut in some occupations, and a real
shortage in areas like Engineering and ICT. We have addressed the availability of study places with our Budget 2012
increased investment in Engineering courses. The next issue is to help increase student interest in taking the right
subjects so they can take up these opportunities.
“The Occupational Outlook will provide information on job prospects for around 40 occupations, as well as setting out
likely income ranges, and qualifications needed. This will be very useful information for parents, students, education
and training providers, and Government agencies.”
Mr Joyce says the Occupational Outlook will also be used to assist the TEC in making its funding investment decisions.
It will sit alongside other government initiatives to ensure New Zealand’s skilled workforce matches what employers
need. These include the new Vocational Pathways for 16 and 17 year olds, and reviews of careers information and the
industry training sector.
ENDS