Building Recruitment director Kevin Everett summarises what’s been happening in the building recruitment sector over the past few months.
In the second quarter of this year we have seen a decline in advertised jobs of 8.8% nationally — but that’s still 12.8% higher than last year and 24.8% higher than two years ago.
How can this be when we have a huge staff shortage? In my opinion, it’s due to employers promoting jobs differently.
Applications on job boards have been dropping for a long time, and many businesses like ours work more on our networks and social media, a trend that will continue.
• Finding staff is still the biggest problem facing businesses, so more businesses are offering more flexible arrangements.
This was mentioned during the recent Constructive Forum in Rotorua. What is being looked at are jobs that start earlier and finish earlier so workers can pick up kids from school and do after-school activities.
A four-day week with 12 hour shifts to give workers a longer weekend is also being offered. This has apparently been used in construction overseas, which has resulted in increased productivity.
• From the Recruitment, Consulting & Staffing Association: “Recruiters and employers who supply workforce into many different sectors are telling us that a wave of caution has washed over the market, as workers and employers respond to recent economic changes in inflation, the cost of living and interest rates.”
• We are finding smaller businesses are pulling out of the wage race as they are no longer able to compete financially with bigger businesses for some roles.
They are also beginning to question the sustainability of some of these salaries in the face of an impending economic downturn.
* Building Recruitment is now an accredited employer, and we are currently working with many overseas candidates looking to migrate to New Zealand.
If you are looking for overseas skilled workers we can help, so give us a call on 09 215 2815. We have many experienced carpenters arriving in September and October so call us to get a quote. Our new team members will have a minimum of five years’ carpentry experience, with the majority offering more than 10 years.
