Changes to Immediate Skill Shortage List and Long Term Skill Shortage List

Source: infonew.co.nz

1 September 2010, 2:09PM

By Department of Labour

The bi-annual review of the Immediate Skill Shortage List (ISSL) and the Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL), administered by the Department of Labour, has been completed.

The ISSL includes occupations that are in immediate demand in the New Zealand labour market. The LTSSL includes occupations that are in long term and global shortage.

Two occupations, Scaffolders and Automotive Technicians will be added to the ISSL, and three occupations, Ship’s Master, Ship’s Officer and Forest Scientist to the LTSSL. Thirteen occupations mostly in the building, design and racing industries will be removed from the ISSL. One occupation, Architect, will be removed from the LTSSL. In addition, four occupations will be removed from the ISSL as they are already covered in the LTSSL. Some requirements will be updated.

The ISSL and LTSSL will be released on 8 September 2010.

The removal of the occupations from the lists is the result of an extensive consultation with industry groups, other stakeholders and relevant government agencies.

Employers can still recruit migrants in occupations that have been removed from the lists. The employer will need to demonstrate genuine attempts to recruit suitable New Zealand citizens or residents. Temporary work visas or permits can be granted after there is evidence that there are no suitable New Zealanders available.

Immigration New Zealand works with a number of agencies when reviewing the labour market to help identify areas of immediate and long-term skill shortage. This is to ensure that the lists reflect genuine skill shortage so New Zealanders are not disadvantaged while at the same time making sure employers get the skilled employees they need to take advantage of improvements in the economy.

Head of Immigration New Zealand, Nigel Bickle says “For occupations no longer on the LTSSL and ISSL the labour market test process, where agencies such as Work and Income are involved, ensures that New Zealanders are not disadvantaged if seeking employment before an employer recruits a migrant worker. However, New Zealand still has skill shortages in certain areas and jobs may need to be filled by people from overseas.”

Mr Bickle says there will be ongoing review of all occupations on the list which will ensure flexibility in times of both shortage and economic growth.

Immediate Skill Shortage List (ISSL)

Thirteen occupations to be removed from the ISSL on 8 September 2010:
• Architectural Designer
• Architectural Draughtsperson (Civil CAD Designer)
• Architectural Draughtsperson
• Graphic Artist
• Fire Alarm Technician
• Florist (Senior)
• Gas Fitter
• Vehicle Body Builder (Bus or Coach only)
• Horse Trainer (Stallion Master)
• Horse Trainer (Stud Groom)
• Jockey
• Trackwork Rider
• Telecommunications Technician

Two occupations to be added to the ISSL:
• Automotive Technician (Motor Mechanic)
• Scaffolder (Advanced)

Four occupations to be moved from the ISSL to the LTSSL:
• Conductor (Conductive Education Practitioner)
• Construction Project Manager (Chip sealing, Asphalt or other Technical Manager) (Roading and Infrastructure)
• Construction Project Manager (Roading and Infrastructure)
• Ship’s Engineer

Four occupations to be removed from the ISSL as covered by the LTSSL:
• Marine Designer
• Systems Analyst
• Software Engineer
• ICT Support and Test Engineer
Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL)

One occupation to be removed from the LTSSL on 8 September 2010:
• Architect

Three occupations to be added to the LTSSL:
• Ship’s Officer
• Ship’s Master
• Forest Scientist

Four occupations to be moved to the LTSSL from the ISSL:
• Conductor (Conductive Education Practitioner)
• Construction Project Manager (Chip sealing, Asphalt or other Technical Manager) (Roading and Infrastructure)
• Construction Project Manager (Roading and Infrastructure)
• Ship’s Engineer