Auckland’s brain gain: talent is a two way street

Auckland’s brain gain: talent is a two way street

In March 2012, the Auckland Council outlined a vision for Auckland to become the world’s most livable city. The Committee for Auckland, working alongside the Auckland Council and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, has identified addressing skills issues as a major strategic priority for Auckland in order to support that vision. They are working in partnership and have commissioned a study which addresses the skills shortage from an employer’s perspective.

More than 50 significant employers were interviewed in the Auckland region: Large Auckland Employers – employers of 500+ staff, as well as Growth Employers – participants in the industries targeted to drive the growth of the Auckland economy in the future as described by Auckland Council’s Economic Development Strategy.

These employers reported skills shortages in the areas of engineering, digital and ICT expertise; food technology and food chemistry. Significant gaps also appear in professional management, particularly when looking for international, sales, or specialised large client marketing expertise.

Skills shortages in these areas are critical as they will restrict Auckland’s future growth and the earning potential of its work force.

The study which will be launched today by the Mayor of Auckland, Len Brown and representatives from the Committee for Auckland and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment highlights multiple reasons for the discrepancy. School leavers are not informed as to what skills the workforce requires. Immigrants, while highly skilled, lack New Zealand-relevant skills and expertise. Research projects are not aligned with the skills needs of our economy and workforce forward planning is not conducted on a regional or industry level. These factors are restricting Auckland’s ability to deliver on the vision our leaders have for the city and severely restricting the options and earning potential of our residents.

Chief Executive for the Committee for Auckland, Heather Shotter believes the study is a valuable indicator of the focus required for Auckland to thrive. “Developing a workforce with the right skills is arguably the most important priority for Auckland today. Internationally, cities like Sydney and Stockholm are dressing up their reputations to do battle for skilled immigrants” she says. Ms Shotter says that the study highlights that the movement of talent is a two-way street and says that Auckland needs to pick and choose the right talent to support its growing industries, just as other cities do.

In addition to core competencies, the skills study also identified that non-cognitive or soft skills - were lacking across the Auckland workforce. “These skills such as self-discipline, agreeableness and conscientiousness are developed first in early childhood so even if we start now, growing a workforce with well-developed personal skills is a long term strategy” Heather Shotter says.

The report concludes that skills development is an ever-developing ecosystem and that collaboration and partnership are key to supporting the growth of our economy, and in turn, a vibrant, globally competitive city. It states that the objectives of the multitudes of players in the skills development system must align to a single end - to develop the right academic and personal skills to drive Auckland’s businesses and the subsequent growth of the New Zealand economy. This cohesive approach affects everything from immigration policies, industry bodies, and research funding to the education system, from early childhood through to the tertiary sector.

A summary of the research - ‘Fuelling our Economy: Auckland Workforce Skills from the Employers’ Perspective’ and the full report are available on the Committee for Auckland website from 16 July. http://www.committeeforauckland.co.nz/projects/current-projects/191-skills-path-auckland

ENDS

About the Committee for Auckland
• The Committee for Auckland is an independent, cross-sector group of senior Auckland leaders, who work to identify issues, generate good ideas, and move these ideas into action.
• Members include corporate businesses, not for profits, local and central government agencies and tertiary institutions.
• The Committee for Auckland's work programme is designed around an understanding that initiatives which foster a great place to be, talented people and a dynamic city-region economy will deliver a successful international city.

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