While the reconstruction of quake-ravaged Christchurch will provide employment opportunities first for New Zealanders, there is ample potential for skilled workers from overseas to fill a number of requirements, Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse has said.
He said that the new Visa Rule that came into effect recently will ensure that New Zealanders are ‘first in line for Canterbury jobs.’
“There is no doubt that we will need workers from overseas because of the extent and scale of the rebuild. But employers must register vacancies for trades, clerical and manual occupations in Canterbury with the ‘Canterbury Skills and Employment Hub’ before they support visa applications for migrants,” he said, speaking at a recent meeting of New Zealand Association of Migration and Investment in Auckland.
He said that visa applications for most jobs in Canterbury will be processed only after ensuring that there are no suitable New Zealanders to fill the vacancy.
Hub for employers
The new rule provides more certainty for employers and migrants, as they will know sooner if a work visa application is likely to succeed, he added.
“I see the rebuild of Canterbury as an ideal opportunity to provide employment and up skilling for New Zealanders, including beneficiaries and young people. Therefore, it is heartening to see that the ‘Skills Hub’ is already proving to be effective,” he said.
Mr Woodhouse said that as at the end of February 2013, the ‘Skills Hub’ had more than 320 registered employers, 1000 registered job seekers and 295 vacancies.
He admitted that Hub would not be the answer for every employer, especially those in areas requiring specialist skills and expertise.
Mr Woodhouse said that the Canterbury Skill Shortage List highlights skills needed during the rebuild in Canterbury and facilitates the grant of work visas for those jobs. “This approach fits in with the focus this Government has on ensuring that employers are able to have the labour they need as quickly as possible. The List is constantly updated in order that employers do not face unnecessary hurdles in filling critical skill shortages. The Skills Hub can focus on working with employers to fill jobs where suitable New Zealanders may be available,” he said.
Immigration challenge
Describing the reconstruction of Christchurch as ‘the biggest economic undertaking in New Zealand’s history,’ Mr Woodhouse said that it was important that departments such as Immigration New Zealand (INZ) were properly equipped and ready to cope with the demand for services.
“It is essential to process visas as efficiently as possible to give prospective workers the sort of introduction to New Zealand we want them to have, and to meet the needs of employers. I am confident that INZ has the capacity and expertise to deal with the situation, but I will act quickly if there are any issues,” he said.
Christchurch has a great future and this government is doing what it can to ensure that it attracts people.
Mr Woodhouse said that to attract English language international students keen on studying with quality education providers in Christchurch to extend them rights to work in the City.
