“We live in a dynamic world. While the primary industries of a country might not change that frequently, the skills in demand might change over time depending on what the employers are looking for. It’s good to be updated with the trends in the job market to plan any further training or studies. Immigration New Zealand lists the skills that are in shortage and demand. They are classified as:
- Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL): The Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL) identifies occupations where there is a sustained and ongoing shortage of highly skilled workers both globally and throughout New Zealand.
- Regional Skill Shortage List (RSSL): This list includes occupations where skilled workers are required in particular regions of New Zealand and indicate that there are no New Zealand citizens or residents available to take up the position.
- Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List (CISSL): This list contains occupations in critical shortage in the Construction industry across New Zealand.
Benefits of a career in the shortage skills
New Zealand witnessed an uneven effect of COVID-19 on employment. While some industries are struggling, others are less affected or even expanding to tackle the challenges of the pandemic. Based on our R&D from credible sources, the following skills will be in the highest demand in 2021.
Healthcare
- Skill Classification: LTSSL, RSSL
- Most Eligible Visa: Work to Residence, Essential Skills
The healthcare and social assistance industry has risen by 8,816 jobs (3.7 percent) in December 2020 in New Zealand. Many Healthcare occupations are listed in official skill shortage lists which will make it easier for you to meet New Zealand’s immigration requirements for a work or residence visa. New Zealand has an extensive healthcare system with high standards. The work opportunities for healthcare professionals are diverse and plenty covers every discipline or specialty.
| On-demand Skills in Healthcare | |||
| Registered Nurse | Midwife | General Practitioner | Medical Laboratory Scientist |
| Medical Radiation Therapist | Psychiatrist | Clinical Psychologist | Obstetrician & Gynaecologist |
| Anaesthetic Technician | Sonographer | Physicist (Medical) | Diagnostic & Interventional Radiologist |
| Ophthalmologist | Cardiologist | Surgeon (General) | Clinical Physiologist (Dialysis) |
| Resident Medical Officer | Pediatrician | Specialist Physician | Emergency Medicine Specialist |
| Medical Practitioners | Physiotherapist | Veterinarian |
Construction
- Skill Classification: LTSSL, RSSL, CISSL
- Most Eligible Visa: Work to Residence, Essential Skills
Construction was the second-fastest-growing industry, with 8,563 (4.9 percent) more filled jobs than last year. GlobalData’s report reveals that the construction industry in New Zealand is expected to register an average annual growth rate of 3.5% between 2022 and 2025, supported by investments in residential, transport, institutional, and renewable energy projects. Willis Rooney, Economist at GlobalData, comments: “The New Zealand Government’s plans to fund large shovel-ready infrastructure projects, identified by the Infrastructure Reference Group (IRG), will have a considerable multiplier effect on the economy as a whole – supporting growth in the construction industry, facilitating job creation and supporting related industries.”
| On-demand Skills in Construction | |||
| Civil Engineer | Surveying* | Construction Economist | Construction Management or Building |
| Structural Engineer | Highway Engineer | Architectural Technologist | Construction Project Manager |
| Engineering Technology | Sonographer | Engineering Fabrication | Construction Related Trades |
*Quantity, Building & Professional
Public Administration and Safety
- Skill Classification: RSSL
- Most Eligible Visa: Essential Skills
Public administration and safety had an increase of 7,630 jobs (5.5 percent) in the year ended December 2020. Administrators can perform many different tasks. These can include customer service, filing and records management, diary management, arranging and taking minutes at meetings. Senior administrators may be involved with accounts, procurement, travel arrangements, event management, drafting correspondence and reports, and leading a team. All business entities, industries, and offices have to strictly follow the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA).
| On-demand Skills in Public administration and Safety | |||
| Public Administration | Public Policy | Industrial Relations | Business and Management |
| Accounting | Economics | Information Systems | Human Resource Management |
| Commercial Law | Finance | International Business | Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) |
| e-Government | Fire Safety | Construction Safety | Health, Safety & Wellbeing |
| Risk Management | Public Safety | Health & Wellbeing | Health & Safety Management |
Education and Training
- Skill Classification: RSSL
- Eligible Visa: Essential Skills
Education and training had an increase of 5,549 jobs in the year ended December 2020. Depending on the job role, to be a tutor in a school, college, or university you need to have certain qualifications and skills.
| On-demand Skills in Education and Training | ||
| Teacher | Early Childhood Teacher | a specialist subject degree (sometimes with evidence of substantive research, dissertation, or a thesis) |
| Educator (Technology) |
Financial and Insurance Services
- Skill Classification: RSSL
- Eligible Visa: Essential Skills
Financial and Insurance Services had an increase of 4,166 jobs in 2020.
| On-demand Skills in Financial and Insurance Services | ||
| Chartered Accountants | Underwriters | Finance & Insurance Specialist |
| Financial Planner & Advisor | Payroll# | Investment Planner & Advisor |
#Officer, Manager, Team Lead
Engineering
- Skill Classification: LTSSL, RSSL, CISSL
- Eligible Visa: Work to Residence, Essential Skills
There is a shortage of engineering professionals in New Zealand, and new graduates are in high demand. Many engineering jobs are on Immigration New Zealand’s skill shortage lists; this means the government is encouraging engineering professionals to migrate to New Zealand. Engineering New Zealand (formerly IPENZ) is the professional body and registration authority for engineers in New Zealand.
| On-demand Skills in Engineering | ||
| Network Engineering | Geotechnical Engineering | Environmental Engineering |
| Chemical Engineering | Industrial Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Materials Engineering | Production or Plant Engineering | Electrical and Electronic Engineering |
ICT, Electronics, and Telecommunications
- Skill Classification: LTSSL, RSSL
- Eligible Visa: Work to Residence, Essential Skills
| On-demand Skills in ICT, Electronics, and Telecommunications | ||||
| Programmer | Computer Engineer | Computer and Electronic Engineer | Computer Systems Engineer | Software Engineer |
| Animation | Software Developer | Electronics and Communication Engineer | Computer Generated Imagery | Electronic Commerce |
| Computing | Systems Design | Information and Communications Technology | Applied Information Systems | Applied Science |
| Information Science | Creative Software | Software and Information Technology | Business Information Systems | Computational Intelligence |
| Information Systems | Information Security | Computer and Mobile Systems Engineer | Electronics and Computer Engineer | Computational Modelling |
| Database Architect | Internet Technology | Computer Science, Computer Systems | Applied Information Technology | Information Technology |
| Network Engineer | Computer Networks | Electronic/s and Computer Systems Engineer | Communications and Technology | Digital Technologies |
| IT Service Science | Information Management | Systems Development, or Telecommunications | Network and Communication Engineer | Computer and Information Sciences |
| Networks and Security | Multi-Media and Web Developer | Computing and Mathematical Sciences | Software and Information Technology | 3D Modelling and Animation |
Soft Skills
- Skill Classification: Life Skills
Besides these technical skills, there are soft skills that all employers look for and are very important to be cultivated and nurtured. The top five among them are as follows:
- Adaptability
- Team Work
- Interpersonal Skills
- Problem Solving Skills
- Time Management & Organizational Skills
Note: These lists are subject to changes. All the data has been collected from Immigration New Zealand and Occupation Outlook and StatsNZ”