Up to 600 Work Visas will be issued in four areas
Venkat Raman
Auckland, December 13, 2021
IT Companies will be able to recruit four categories of IT professionals from overseas under a new exemption order, Digital Economy and Communications Minister Dr David Clark has said.
Up to 600 visas will be available for Software and Application Programmers, ICT Managers, ICT Security Specialists and Multimedia Specialists.
Companies intending to apply for Work Visas must comply with the annual salary threshold of at least $120,000 for Software and Application Programmers, ICT managers and ICT security specialists, and at least $95,000 for Multimedia Specialists.
The date from which the exemptions will come into force is not known but Dr Clark said that an announcement will be made early in the new year.
Top export sector
He said that the class exemption will relieve some of the pressure on the technology firms and that they will be able to support their continued growth and export earnings.
“The sector is now one of our top three exporters, and technical jobs have been growing at twice the rate of the general economy. It has continued to expand during the Covid-19 pandemic, placing pressure on the demand for talent. We are carefully targeting areas of the sector where the industry has highlighted a clear need for overseas talent including, software development, product managers, cyber security and interactive media,” he said.
According to Dr Clark, the government has been working closely with the technology sector on addressing the key opportunities and challenges facing the industry.
Mismatch of skills
At the top of the list is a mismatch between the skills available domestically and what the sector requires, he said.
“Providing this border exception is a part of the next step in the government’s carefully phased approach to reconnecting with the world. We have seen other countries open up too early and have to reverse decisions. Therefore, it is a balancing act of supporting our economy and minimising the risks to our communities and health system,” he said.
Dr Clark said that resolving the skills mismatch is crucial for the technicolour sector to grow. However, the government also realises the development of technical skills within New Zealand is fundamental for the industry to realise its potential.
“As a part of an Industry Transformation Plan Partnership between the government and the technology industry; the sector has made a commitment to invest in developing domestic talent, rather than relying on overseas talent to fill the gaps. I look forward to continuing to work with the industry on how to ensure the education system is supporting this, by delivering the skills that the New Zealand industry needs,” Dr Clark said.
