Skills shortage reaches the acute stage

New Zealand's shortage of tradespeople is getting worse, a survey has found.

The Department of Labour survey says there is a shortage of about 52 per cent of skilled workers in all trades - such as butchers, bakers, plumbers, sign writers and mechanics - putting them in the acute shortage category. That is up from 19 per cent two years ago.

The biggest shortage in workers since 2003 was for electrical and electronic instrument mechanics and fitters. Demand has also grown for blacksmiths and toolmakers, tailors, dressmakers and food and related products processors.

The skills shortage is reflected in New Zealand's low unemployment rate, which at 3.4 per cent is the lowest in the OECD.

The survey found shortages among professionals - including engineers and those working in the sciences, humanities and related fields - had also grown from two years ago, rising from 11 per cent to 33 per cent. Nursing and midwifery professionals had the largest drop in advertised vacancy fill rates, down from 67 per cent two years ago to 29 per cent. Fill rates increased for primary and early childhood teachers, while there was a chronic shortage of psychiatric nurses and structural engineers.


Most in demand
The Top 10
* Psychiatric nurse.
* Other civil engineering technician.
* Coach builder.
* Structural engineer.
* Physician.
* Travel consultant.
* Enrolled nurse.
* Midwife.
* Machinery mechanic.
* Carpet and other types of flooring fitters.