Skills Shortage Holding Back Auckland Growth

27 March 2004

Media Release

Skills Shortage Holding Back Auckland Region’s Growth

Concerns of Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis about the skill shortages in Manukau City holding back the City’s development are strongly echoed by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce.

Michael Barnett, Chamber CEO, pointed out that in the Chamber’s quarterly survey of business opinion, concern about the difficulties that businesses have recruiting skilled staff had grown from around 32% three years ago to now be rating at a consistent 45%.

“Clearly the skills shortage issue is becoming entrenched as a major barrier to Manukau, the Auckland region and probably New Zealand fulfilling its growth potential.”

Mr Barnett said that the Chamber had briefed Government, and senior Ministers in particular, a number of times about the looming skills shortage.

“A progressive government would have some concrete answers to the shortage in tomorrow’s Budget,” he concluded.

ENDS

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