Skilled and experienced construction tradespeople are in continuous demand according to recruiting experts Hays, yet a stigma around apprenticeships could be holding more people back from considering a trade career.
The recruiter’s latest Hays Quarterly Report suggests that gaining technical knowledge and experience in an area of candidate demand is important for a secure long-term career – and this can be achieved through an apprenticeship just as it can through a degree or post-graduate qualifications.
According to Jason Walker, Managing Director of Hays in New Zealand, “The trades and labour market is becoming tight as employers compete for skilled candidates not only with each other, but with employers in other cities.
“Competition is especially noticeable between Auckland and Christchurch,” he says. “With good trades and labour in high demand in Auckland, we are utilising our UK offices to identify qualified electricians and plumbers who are looking to come to New Zealand for work.
“In Christchurch candidates remain highly sought after, and growing demand in Queenstown means that good skilled trades are in short supply there too. Given that employers face tight margins on major projects, they are reluctant to raise rates for skilled candidates. This has led to some tradespeople moving to Auckland for better pay.
“Queenstown is seeing a large boom and the demand for skills in this area is increasing rapidly. But accommodation in Queenstown is expensive and in short supply, which is an issue that has seen both the Alexandra and Cromwell market grow,” he said.
According to the Hays Quarterly Report, in Auckland Commercial and Maintenance Plumbers, Commercial and Industrial Electricians, Carpenters and Machine/Plant Operators are sought. In Christchurch and Queenstown it is Fit-out Carpenters, Carpenters, Commercial Plumbers and Electricians, Plant and Machine Operators, Certified and CCC approved Drain Layers, Senior Concrete Cutters and Cable Joiners who are needed.
Is an apprenticeship stigma holding people back?
Despite demand, there’s still a stigma attached to apprenticeships. Research shows that many parents, who are a key influencer when students make their future education decisions, lack knowledge of apprenticeships. According to the Barclays Apprenticeships study of 1,000 university students and their parents, only eight per cent of parents were confident in their knowledge of apprenticeships.
Jason says that parents, students, employers and jobseekers should recognise the benefits of an apprenticeship. “For employers, they close the skills deficit and create sustainable skills pipelines. For jobseekers they provide a solid grounding in your chosen profession and equip you with the skills employers need so that you can not only enter but succeed in the world of work.
“An apprenticeship should certainly be considered equally with other training options when people consider their further education,” he said.
To see the full list of skills in demand and trends for your industry, please visitwww.hays.net.nz/report