Employers may need to 'expand their search internationally' amid 'pretty dire' job market, says expert
Employers in New Zealand may need to introduce remote work arrangements and tap into international talent amid a "dire" job market situation, according to reports.
"It's no secret that the job market in New Zealand is pretty dire currently," said Shay Peters, chief executive of Robert Walters, as quoted by Radio New Zealand (RNZ).
Peters' remark comes as Robert Walters noted that New Zealanders are departing the country due to a lack of opportunities and inadequate salaries.
In the year ending in September, there were 133,030 migrant departures recorded by Stats NZ, provisionally the highest on record for an annual period.
"With a diminishing pool of qualified candidates available locally, employers in New Zealand may need to expand their search internationally and offer remote work options in order to bridge the skills gaps and address the talent shortage," Peters said, as quoted by RNZ.
Meanwhile, the rise of artificial intelligence is also introducing challenges for New Zealand's labour market, according to the report.
Peters noted that AI is driving demand for skills against a backdrop of a shrinking workforce, making it difficult to find people with the needed AI skills.
The chief executive noted that the workforce will need to "embrace continuous learning to stay ahead of evolving technology trends."
"It's no longer enough to simply be proficient in current systems. The ability to adapt to new tools and platforms will be paramount," he said.
Another problem with the rise of AI is the growing need for soft skills, where the up-and-coming workforce may be in short supply after being raised in digital environments.
"AI may replace technical tasks, but roles requiring stakeholder management, communication, influence and the ability to complement AI will remain in high demand," Peters said.
