Employment dispute in Christchurch where a business faced consequences for dismissing an employee before their start date, resulting in an $18.5K payout.
Businesses across New Zealand’s North Island are struggling to recruit staff and the skills they need, according to results from the latest survey by the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA).
A cross-section of businesses within the EMA region, from Taupo northwards, completed the survey*, which was conducted in November (2017).
The survey looked at a range of employment matters, such as ability to recruit staff with the required skills, immigration and work readiness of youth, all of which remain foremost in employers’ minds for attracting, finding and employing the staff they want.
The survey highlighted that the majority of employers (61%) are finding it difficult or very difficult to recruit for positions in general. This is an increase of 8% compared with the same time a year ago. While 72% say it is difficult or very difficult to recruit skilled staff, which is the same as a year ago.
Specifically, professionals and technicians are the two main categories employers had the most difficulty recruiting in. Machinery operators were the third most difficult to recruit in, having risen from 13% in 2015 to 20% in 2017.
This was backed up by the majority of respondents (65%) saying there is currently, or there soon will be, a skills shortage in their sector.
Employers are addressing their skills needs in several ways. A large number (51%) prefer to retrain existing staff on the job, employ staff with required experience (50%) and up-skill current employees (49%). There has been an increase in the number of employers who seek skilled migrants from 15% in 2015 to 23% in 2017.
Business owner or manager struggling to find the skills you need? Call us today on (03) 366 4034 or email info@eqconsultants.co.nz for more information about our Executive Recruitment solutions.