Demand for skilled workers growing

Three years ago Nelson man Anthony Larking was struggling to find a job - now he's struggling to find staff.

The 58-year-old, who was made redundant for a third time in 2001, has seen his life turn around thanks to New Zealand's record low unemployment rates.

Nelson, West Coast and Marlborough are leading the way, with 2.3 per cent unemployment, compared with a national unemployment rate of 3.6 per cent, according to Statistics New Zealand.

While the low rate is good news for job seekers, it is tough on employers across the region who are struggling to find skilled staff.

Mr Larking said he searched for full-time work for a "soul destroying" 13 months after his redundancy, and finally got a job in September 2002 installing aluminium joinery for a business that now operates under the name Fisher Windows and Doors.

He believes the shortage of experienced tradespeople in the region, even then, helped him get his foot in the door.

"It was a struggle for him [his boss] to fill that role."

Not wanting to find himself unemployed again, Mr Larking seized the opportunity last month to buy the business from the man who hired him.

Ironically, he now faces the same skill shortage that saw him land his job in the first place.

He has since advertised for two new workers and received only three replies, with none of them being skilled staff.

"It's frustrating from my point of view.

"I've got to make a choice whether I can take an unskilled worker and make them skilled."

Nelson Work and Income spokeswoman Jill Harris said there were 878 people receiving the unemployment benefit in Nelson, Stoke, Richmond, Motueka and Golden Bay, with 394 of those starting work or training soon.

Tempz Personnel company director Sue Gallagher said the demand for skilled labourers remained strong following a peak that was experienced at the end of 2003.

"The last two days we have been absolutely flat out."

Mrs Gallagher said the company had a call for 12 engineers yesterday, which it struggled to fill.

Building labourers had previously been in demand, but this had shifted to demand for workers in roading firms and factories, she said.

Fanselow Human Resources principal consultant Judy Fanselow said: "Experienced legal secretaries, accounts clerks and sales people are also desperately needed."

Economic Development Agency chief executive Bill Findlater said while the low unemployment rate was good news, the region could not afford to be complacent.

To sustain growth and ensure workers were not lost to Australia, where wages were on average 25 per cent higher, the region needed to look at ways to increase the average wage.

- NZPA