Balance shifts as candidates move to driving seat

PRESS RELEASE
Thursday 21st January 2010
The balance shifts as candidates move back towards the driving seat

Management Accountants, Quantity Surveyors, HR Advisors and Office Managers are some of the skills employers seek this New Year reports Hays, the leading recruiting experts in qualified, professional and skilled people.

In the January - March edition of the Hays Quarterly Report, Hays reveal that the growing list of skills in demand by employers is the result of several factors.

``Firstly, there are many instances of employers opting to recruit now in an attempt to gain competitive advantage and secure the best of the available talent,’’ says Jason Walker, Managing Director of Hays in New Zealand.

``Secondly, many organisations that cut staffing numbers to the bone are going to look for new recruits to be in place pretty quickly in 2010 in order to cope with a ‘back to normal’ workload. Departing staff in 2009 were rarely replaced, with their duties absorbed by remaining staff members. Now that business confidence is rising, employers are reassessing and re-creating vacancies where required. They are repopulating teams. For many employees, the last few months have meant coping with extra work and employers realise they risk losing those dedicated employees if they don’t feel recognised, rewarded and, most of all, supported.

``Thirdly, candidates already in permanent roles are re-entering the job market, looking for their next career step. This momentum will also generate opportunities as positions become vacant, further fuelling the jobs market,’’ said Jason.

According to the Hays Quarterly Report, the following skills are sought:
• Accountancy & Finance – Commerce & Industry: Management Accountants and Business/Financial Analysts are in demand to support executive decision making. Systems/Project Accountants with large ERP experience are also sought. The Government sector needs Accountants and Management Accountants.
• Accountancy & Finance – professional practice: CA qualified candidates and Auditors are sought. A lack of internal succession plans has led to demand for Business Advisory Services Managers and Senior Managers for vacancies offering quick progression to Partnership.
• Architecture: Senior Interior Designers with good workplace design experience and Senior Urban Designers/Master Planners are in demand by practices looking to diversify their business. Healthcare Architects and Planners and Revit CAD Drafters are also needed.
• Construction: Quantity Surveyors are an ongoing need, while Estimators are sought to price new projects. Painters and Carpenters are needed for new contracts. In civil construction, the greatest demand will be for Estimators and Engineers with major project experience.
• Contact Centres: Senior Customer Service Representatives with industry-specific skills, telesales candidates and collections candidates are needed.
• Energy: Protection Engineers, Transmission Line Engineers and Network Engineers are needed.
• Engineering: Projects and ongoing highway design and traffic improvement schemes have created a need for experienced Engineers with local knowledge. Civil water and roading Engineers are needed at the intermediate and senior levels. Associate and principal level candidates with business development skills are sought.
• Facilities Management: Project Management and technical Facilities Management candidates are needed in response to an increase in project work and the awarding of new contracts.
• Human Resources: Recruitment Consultants, HR Advisors, HR Managers, L&D specialists and Remuneration Analysts are needed. Health & Safety roles are also available.
• Information Technology: Project Managers, Business Analysts and Software Developers are needed. Telecommunications professionals, Senior Developers to Architect level (C#, VB.net, Java, MOSS, BizTalk) and Senior Network professionals are also sought.
• Insurance: With a real drive towards gaining market share, companies have started recruiting within Sales & Service, Claims and Underwriting within the commercial sector, with a big recruiting emphasis from the SME market. Underwriters within the life insurance market are also needed.
• Office Support: Project Coordinators are needed for key projects. Sales Support Administrators are sought to enable a sales force to focus solely on business development and revenue generation. Multi-skilled and versatile Office Managers who can oversee not only the administrative function but also basic accounting, payroll, purchasing and customer service duties are in demand. Legal support is also needed.
• Oil & Gas: Drilling Engineers, Completions Engineers, Lead Process Engineers and Senior Pipeline Engineers are in demand.
• Property: Sales & leasing agents are required for agencies rebuilding teams.
• Resources & Mining: Engineers and HD Fitters are needed. The demand for HD Fitters is a response to the increased volume of work, while there is a global shortage of Mine Engineers.

For further details on why these skills are in demand, as well as employer and candidate trends, see the Hays Quarterly Report at www.hays.net.nz/report

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

ENDS

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