Most wanted: NZ’s 2019 skill shortfalls revealed

Structural Engineers, DevOps professionals and HR Business Partners make the list of the top skill shortfalls for the first half of 2019, according to recruiting experts Hays.

In its latest Hays Jobs Report, covering the first half of 2019, Hays reveals the skills that are in greatest demand across New Zealand.
The Report, which is updated twice a year to reflect changing market conditions, also earmarks Financial Analysts, Site Managers and Revit Technicians as core areas of demand.

“Recruitment activity will remain buoyant thanks to a strong residential construction market, new commercial builds, good levels of vacancy activity in the regions and low unemployment,” says Adam Shapley, Managing Director of Hays in New Zealand.

“This is leading to high demand but a shortage of certain skilled professionals. Given the extent of candidate shortages, employers are revisiting their attraction and retention strategies, including flexible working options, work-life balance and mental wellbeing.”

But Adam warns jobseekers not to be complacent. “Certain skills may be in high demand, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to work hard to secure your next role,” he says. “Even when skills are in demand, jobseekers need to demonstrate to a potential employer the value you could add to the organisation if you are to be successful.

“Remember to list all qualifications as well as systems and software knowledge on your CV. Regularly upskill to keep on top of new trends and technology. Use examples to demonstrate your ability to go above and beyond to add genuine value to an organisation,” he advises.

According to the Hays Jobs Report, skills in demand for the first half of 2019 include:

• Accountancy & Finance: Accountants with strong business intelligence, analytics and soft skills, Financial Analysts who can analyse increasingly larger datasets, Finance Business Partners and Credit Controllers;
• Architecture: Registered Architects at the senior level with project management experience and Revit and ArchiCAD Technicians who are proficient in creating detailed construction documentation;
• Construction: Experienced Project Managers, Site Managers and Estimators;
• Contact Centres: Customer Service Officers for inbound call centres and both Inbound and Outbound Sales Professionals;
• Engineering: Structural Engineers with proven seismic project experience, Civil Engineers with experience in land development and subdivisions and Stormwater and Three Waters Engineers;
• Facilities Management: Facilities Managers with proven project management experience, HVAC Maintenance Technicians and FM Engineers;
• Human Resources: Experienced HR Business Partners, Health & Safety professionals and Learning & Development professionals;
• Information Technology: DevOps professionals, .NET Developers, Senior Automation Engineers, Cloud and Security Architects and Engineers and Data Scientists and Engineers;
• Insurance: Claims professionals, Commercial Brokers, Account Brokers and Property Underwriters;
• Legal: Construction Lawyers, Resource Management Lawyers and Commercial Property Lawyers;
• Marketing & Digital: Content Editors, Communications Executives and Retail Marketing Managers;
• Office Support: Team Administrators, Project Coordinators and Personal and Executive Assistants in the public sector, and Receptionists and Office and Site Administrators in the private sector;
• Property: Commercial Property Brokers, Residential and Commercial Development Managers, experienced Property Managers and Client Side Project Managers;
• Sales: Salespeople with relevant industry and or product knowledge and prior commercial experience, and experienced sales professionals who can work autonomously;
• Trades & Labour: Skilled and competent Registered Electricians, Registered Plumbers, Carpenters and Roofers.

For the full list of skills in demand and factors driving vacancy activity, please see the Hays Jobs Report.

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

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