Germans looking for work in NZ

A German federal agency representative is in New Zealand this week promoting a scheme that could reduce German unemployment and help New Zealand employers recruit skilled migrants.

New Zealand has a skill shortage but restructuring in Western European economies has created a surplus of skilled labour, and unemployment rates in France and Germany are over 10 per cent.

Gerald Schomann heads a service that helps employers recruit skilled European migrants.

"Our service is funded through employee contributions and provides support to all Germans looking for employment opportunities.

"It is part of a big-picture approach to help reduce unemployment," said Mr Schomann.

On Thursday he will meet the Employers and Manufacturers' Association to discuss the service.

Its manufacturing division manager Bruce Goldsworthy said the association was aware of the scheme and was interested to find out more about it.

There was "a major problem" with skill shortages across the employment spectrum, Mr Goldsworthy said.

This was caused by a booming economy and low unemployment, as well as a drop in the level of training in traditional trades.

If employers needed tradespeople there were three ways to get them: take an untrained New Zealander and train them, head hunt locally, or bring in someone trained from overseas.

Most New Zealand industries would agree the best long-term option was to train a New Zealander, Mr Goldsworthy said.

"But there is an expense and there is a delay. It's a long-term option which requires investment."

Head hunting created difficulties by just taking workers from the existing pool, and recruiting trained migrants added to the pool but could involve expenses, he said.

But training was only one factor - companies had to look at competency with English language and how a migrant would fit into their company culture.

"It doesn't suit all companies."


- NZPA