New Zealand recruitment market to catch up

New Zealand recruitment market to catch up

The Rugby World Cup and upcoming election in November are making their mark on hiring activity in New Zealand’s recruitment market this quarter, says recruiting expert Hays.

In their latest Hays Quarterly Report, for the October-December quarter, the recruiter found that businesses, particularly within the public sector, are erring on the side of caution as they await the outcome of the election, which has led to a rise in the use of contractors to fill vacancies during this period. We also expect to see a push for trades and labour candidates once works are resumed following the final Cup kick off.

"Despite the fact that we are moving closer towards the end of the year and the usual seasonal wrap up, the next few months will be a very busy time in the recruitment market for New Zealand," says Jason Walker, Managing Director of Hays in New Zealand.

“The public sector will see a number of restructures shortly and candidates with strong management, strategic skills and thinking are sought to drive business forward in 2012. At this stage, the number of contractors being engaged has increased until the outcome of the election is known and positions can then be made more permanent.

“The civil construction sector has seen a number of works put on hold in Auckland and Wellington as a result of the Rugby World Cup. We will see a big push trades and skilled civil labourers from contractors once these works are resumed to make up for the delay.

"The energy sector is where we expect to see some of the most demand this quarter. Experienced civil and construction staff will be sought, particularly those with management skills in large scale projects like the HVDC Line Construction and the 37km Auckland 220kv cabling project which will start after the Rugby World Cup."

According to the Hays Quarterly Report, the skills in most demand for the October - December quarter include:

Hays Accountancy & Finance: There has been strong demand from both the public and private sector for experienced Financial Controllers, Senior Internal Auditors and Business Analysts in the risk and assurance area. We have also seen demand increase for high level accounting roles that require strong management and strategic skills and thinking. Organisations have been searching for fresh talent to revitalise these key areas, while policing the audits more closely.

Hays Architecture: The Architecture market has seen some improvement in Christchurch with an increase in enquiries from the larger Architectural firms for architects at various levels. This has been directly linked to the re-build and re-design of Christchurch City. Graduate Architects with some commercial experience and Intermediate Architectural Technicians with commercial and residential experience are sought. Architects with workplace interiors experience are in higher demand due to the large number offices damaged in the CBD.

Hays Construction: In Auckland’s commercial construction sector there is upcoming demand for Intermediate Quantity Surveyors, Estimators and Project Managers. Also in demand are degree or diploma qualified Quantity Surveyors with experience. Construction/Site Managers with New Zealand experience and Senior Quantity Surveyors are also sought fuelled by the Christchurch earthquake which has left gaps in the Wellington market.
Hays Contact Centres: Customer Service staff (junior to senior), Telesales/Account Managers and Collections Customer Service staff across all levels are still in high demand. Candidates with good career tenure are highly sought after. Good solid Telesales candidates are still in demand as companies continue to take advantage of the upturn in the market.

Hays Energy: Over the next three months, we expect to see demand coming from the T&D industry to replace lost skills. Experienced civil and construction staff will also be sought, particularly those with management skills in large scale projects.

Hays Engineering: The engineering industry is seeing strong demand New Zealand wide for Structural Engineers, Geotechnical Engineers and Civil Engineers with water, utilities and infrastructure design experience. This demand is being fuelled by building and infrastructure projects nationally. The Christchurch rebuild is also seeing Engineers at all levels moving to the South Island and this is leaving employment gaps nationally.

Hays Facilities Management: We have seen a push for financial orientated Facilities Managers who have excellent financial acumen that can drive savings on operating cost. In addition Technical Facilities Managers with Mechanical or Electrical expertise continues to remain a constant need.

Hays Human Resources: HR Advisors at the intermediate level with two to five years experience are needed, along with specialists in Training, Health & Safety, Internal and Agency Recruitment, Organisational Change and Development. HR departments have been very active as a result of market pickup and organisational restructures, this has created a number of projects that require the skills of talented Administrators and Coordinators.

Hays Information Technology: Telecommunications professionals and Project Managers are in demand this quarter following the recent announcement of the government broadband initiative UFB / RFI bill. There is continued focus on project work across both software development and infrastructure, requiring experienced Project Managers and Architects. DBAs and Network Engineers are also sought.

Hays Insurance: Experienced Claims Officers and Claims Handlers are in short supply across the country as insurance companies continue to deal with the Christchurch earthquake claims. Product specialists in both commercial and life insurance are in demand to fill available positions. Good Underwriters and Brokers with strong client relationship and negotiation skills are highly sought this quarter as well.

Hays Legal: Experienced candidates with a background gained within top tier or well regarded specialist firms, in corporate and commercial, banking and finance, insolvency/litigation and commercial property continue to be popular in New Zealand’s legal sector. General movement within these firms is creating vacancies, including a slightly increased flow of candidates back to the UK.

Hays Office Support: Good Reception and Office Assistant positions are in demand. Personal Assistants and Executive Assistants are also sought although there has been a decrease in quality candidates which has been a challenge for employers and recruiters. The majority of these roles have been created by end of year approaching and annual leave cover.

Hays Property: Property Managers, Facilities Managers and Retail Project Managers are in demand to manage portfolios and major contracts. Experienced Valuers and Estimators continue to be sought as well in the Auckland property market. Employers are demanding candidates with relevant skills and qualifications but also good cultural fit.

Hays Resources & Mining: There is high demand for Heavy Diesel Mechanics as a result of a general ongoing lack of available candidates. Geologists are also needed to assist with mining exploration as companies look to open new mines or expand present mine sites. There has been a huge increased in the demand for WHSO’s following government-imposed tightened mandatory requirements off the back of the Pike River mine disaster.

View the full Hays Quarterly Report at www.hays.net.nz/report from Monday 10 October, 2011.

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

About Hays
Hays is the leading global specialist recruiting group. It is the expert at recruiting qualified, professional and skilled people worldwide. It operates across the private and public sectors, dealing in permanent positions, contract roles and temporary assignments.

As at 30 June 2011, Hays employed 7,620 staff operating from 255 offices in 31 countries across 20 specialisms. For the year ended 30 June 2011, Hays reported net fees of £672 million and operating profit of £114 million and placed around 60,000 candidates into permanent jobs and around 190,000 people into temporary assignments. 31% of Group net fees were generated in Asia Pacific.

Hays operates in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, the United Kingdom and the USA.

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