New Zealand has issued a call for UK construction and property professionals.

In New Zealand skills shortages are so acute that $NZ 3.2 billion worth of planned private and public work over the next two years is threatened. The country needs at least 3000 skilled candidates.

Skills shortages are across the board, with strong job opportunities for engineering, building services, architecture, quantity surveying and construction professionals. Skilled labourers are also in demand. Salaries are very strong, according to construction recruitment specialist Hays Montrose. Jason Walker, general manager for Hays in New Zealand, says: “We are encouraging those who have considered overseas experience to contact us. With business confidence on the rise, the job market for opportunities in New Zealand has never been higher.”

Gemma Collins is a UK CIBSE member who has recently emigrated to New Zealand to work for Fletcher Construction, and she is also secretary of the CIBSE Auckland chapter. Collins agrees that there is a severe shortage of engineering professionals in the country.

She adds that UK engineers will find their skills easily transferable: “As a chartered building services engineer, the Institute of Professional Engineers NZ operates a mutual recognition agreement which I have gone through. Basically, you have to be able to demonstrate that you have sat a professional competency review within the last few years to have your qualifications automatically recognised.”

For more information on IPENZ see www.ipenz.org.nz

Source

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