New Zealand jobs fairs in Australia plan to claw back skilled Kiwis

New Zealand’s National Party is planning to set up job fairs in major Australian cities aimed at enticing skilled expat New Zealanders back into the home country employment market.

As the fight to form the next New Zealand government ramps up, a statement by the National Party promises that, if re-elected, it will organise jobs fairs in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney in an attempt to persuade skilled Kiwi migrants to return home. According to the party’s development spokesperson Stephen Joyce and NZ Immigration representative Michael Woodhouse, a real need for skilled workers now exists across the employment spectrum.

The ICT, construction, engineering and manufacturing sectors are especially in need of experienced professionals, according to Joyce, and it’s hoped that returning New Zealanders will fill many of the vacant positions. Strong growth is continuing in Auckland, in Canterbury and in other major centres on both islands.

As part of their platform for the 2008 election, the National Party promised to reverse the huge number of Kiwis emigrating to Australia. The party considers it’s kept its promise and is noting that many of those who left are now heading back home as the Australian economy declines.

According to Woodhouse, the country’s general immigration strategy won’t be changed as regards its support for the economy, its job creation schemes and its contribution to higher average wages. He added that the new Immigration Online service will make life easier for immigrants, and specifically mentioned the ongoing Christchurch rebuild as a source of jobs for skilled tradesmen.