“Demand stretches from the trades and technician level to senior and general management,” Hays said.
“Oil and gas exploration and power generation remains a key hotspot with technical staff a premium. Given new project levels this demand will remain.”
While companies are looking to implement long-term strategies to overcome the skills shortage and are increasing the numbers of apprenticeships, the New Zealand petroleum industry’s workforce is still ageing and is continually tempted with lucrative overseas employment options, Hays said.
Employers are anticipating continual growth across all the heavy engineering and industrial sectors due to an increased workload and further staff movement.
“The majority of recruitment is permanent as companies attempt to increase their core staff,” Hays said.
“However, there has been an increase in contract recruitment as some employers overcome the skills shortage by using experienced personnel for short-term solutions. While this does not ultimately resolve key recruitment issues, it does provide relief in key design and supervisory roles, particularly on larger construction/maintenance projects.”
Recruitment at senior management and executive level faces the same problems as at lower levels, according to Hays.
“Companies are looking to supplement existing management structures with new staff from both within and outside New Zealand,” the specialist recruitment agency says.
“Executive opportunities exist for professionals with expertise in staff and operation management in addition to technical professionals who can provide organisations with the benchmark and direction to move forward.”
In New Zealand, remuneration for permanent positions continues to increase steadily in general, but particular increases have been noted in oil and gas and industrial construction, according to Hays.
Rates for contract professionals have also increased, although this is affected by contract length and regional and project variations.
“Employees are aware of the skills shortage and are increasingly more demanding of their own employers,” Hays says.
“They are also prepared to seek new challenges in different industries or locations.”
This means that emigration from New Zealand continues to pose a threat to company growth domestically, according to Hays. But there is a steady influx of returning nationals and overseas immigrants seeking a change of lifestyle for themselves and their families.
