New Zealand

NZ is a small country with 4 million people with a rapidly aging population, combined with a low birthrate, and to make it worst it loses about 10% of its skilled labor to other countries that pay better wages. This recipe result  in a demand for highly number of skilled workers across the country. This is one of the main problems happening in New Zealand and also in Australia . The Demand  for workers begins in occupations requiring university qualifications and specializations, plus technical professions and even for temporary basic jobs such as picking grapes or kiwi on farms. The only solution to ensure their products can go to their domestic market and abroad, is to import people. So New Zealand has launched a program aiming to attract skilled professionals and others who can meet the demand in key positions and thus contribute to maintaining the country's growth. Still it went further, offering to these professionals a chance to live and work indefinitely, including the chance to get the citizenship after a certain period.

To minimize the crisis as quickly as possible, the NZ government decided to open two lists to get workers in demand: the first one is called Immediate Skill Shortage List (ISSL) In other words this is a list for professionals or people with skills and experience in a particular industry that it is in urgent demand for professionals. These sectors are in deficit for a certain type of workers now, but can be stabilized in a few years. The other list was named Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL), which we call chronic disabilities, where there is a steady demand and in a short time will be impossible to stabilize. Both lists are reviewed every six months, and some professions can stay or leave, while others can be included. 

There is also another list, but this is not official but rather a set of professions that are showing up lately created due to rapid advances in technology worldwide, and New Zealand does not yet have many of these professionals available. As an example, the photo at the top of the page illustrates very well one of them, and involves communication technology + computer, and even climbing. All technologies and their professional interest also to New Zealand to have them around. Below we have a summary of the main occupations in demand at the moment, and then links to the official website of immigration, where all the professions in demand are shown.  

Another very important point is that the occupations listed as in demand, refer to the New Zealand market only, and so it has to be made there or get the professional recognition of the official NZQA (New Zealand Qualification Authority)). For example, it is worth entering a course in a polytechnic in NZ and studying, say, nursing. The course will last two or three years, and will cost some money, but the result is that the termination of the employment law is right, and very reasonable salary to live a good life. The cost of this investment can be paid for his work on probably a year, and you can get a job forever. It's not just nursing, many other professions can be chosen, and the most important of all, choose one that is like the heart, as any one will give their support.

Note: The list LTSSL can be used both for work and for temporary residence. If you come to work in New Zealand, based on fulfillment of the requirements LTSSL, you may be eligible for residency through a program of work to residence (LTSSL) or the Skilled Migrant category.

Tip: If you have not entered or completed his college course, or want to start a technical course, well worth doing the course in New Zealand if your intention is to immigrate later.

New Zealand Jobs in Demand:

  (please note these are some examples that may already have changed).

• Building 

• Interior design

• Electricians, Mechanics, Gas fitters, Plumbers, Welders, Carpenters

• Manufacturing

• Agriculture

• Agritech

• Grower managers

• Orchard managers

• Farm Managers

• Veterinarians

• Information technology

• Information communications and technology

• Programmers

• Project managers

• Systems analysts

• Creative technical innovation

• Health

• Community service

• Biotechnology

• Food and beverages, Wine production

• Custom boat-building and Sail-making

• Design engineers

• Film animators

• Architects

• Doctors (rural areas)

• Dentists

• Dentist assistants

• Surgeons

• Radiologists

• Pathologists

• Anesthetists

• Psychiatrists

• Nurses

• Midwives 

• Secondary school teachers

Note: This is just a small sample list because in fact the list is huge. To see it in full select Short term or Long term. 

It is also important to know that many of these professions will require that the candidate get  additional courses to adapt to the curriculum and standards to work in New Zealand. Teachers, all medical, all the professional trades such as Electricians, Plumbers etc may require other courses plus registration in unions to exercise their skills . In other words, they will give the final approval word if your diploma or knowledge acquired in the country of origin will be ok to work in NZ or you will have to get some complementary academic or practical training. For Doctors- If you are in any area specialized ​​medicine click here.

The first step to organize when planning to work in NZ is the recognition of your diploma and/ or your work experience, and submit all your documentation to NZQA (New Zealand Qualification Authority) to be assessed. They will analyze each document, each diploma, will see if the subjects you have studied are the same workload in NZ, and if the grid hits with them. If there is any difference is likely you will have to complement with courses in NZ to get your diploma / experience recognized. Your work experience must also be documented on letterhead of the firm with the date of admission, type of work performed etc. The documents to be submitted are true copies of each,and translated if necessary into English. Do not send your original documents.

For those who just want to go to NZ when they already have a guaranteed job, we suggest you to have your CV in the Kiwi Style and apply to the various online job websites. Once someone is interest in your work, get a letter confirming a job offer from them and enter a request for Work Visa at the Embassy or Immigration. Professionals like doctors, nurses,  architects and trades such as plumbers electricians etc should also first contact the registration organization in NZ to check the requirements. People from IT  skills (information technology), may just need to show the diploma and work experience, without the need to register. 

There is a government program called "Work to immigrate" where you apply, and after two years of work can apply for permanent residence. For more info and details see the website of NZ immigration.

Note: The Canterbury Skill Shortage List (CSSL) was created to recruit  occupations needed in the reconstruction Canterbury, following the recent earthquakes in the region.

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