Study to migrate under Shortage Skills List

New Zealand is a beautiful country with English speaking people and exotic Maori – Pacific Island influence. Employment market in New Zealand is strengthening steadily after the global crisis, and the trend is set to improve in the future as well. Job opportunities are endless, and opportunities for certain skills which are in shortage in the country are much in demand. If one has a skill which is listed in the shortage list, qualifying for a resident of work visa becomes much easier. One can apply for residency or work visa as a skilled migrant. This category is the core to Immigration strategy of New Zealand. It offers candidates an opportunity to migrate to New Zealand by improving the skilled work force of New Zealand. 

Shortage Skills

Shortage skills are highly skilled professions which are in shortage in New Zealand.  Skill shortage prevails when the employers are not able to fill vacancies for a job. Skill shortages may occur due to fluctuations in global economy, or lack of skilled personnel in a particular region, or lack of adequate training facilities available, or due to restructuring of economy which has resulted in a sudden over supply or shortage of qualified candidates.

Some skills are in shortage constantly, and New Zealand has introduced a shortage list. The Immigration department researches to identify the skill shortages in the New Zealand labor market. Results are published assessing the condition of labor markets, and the shortage skills. The Government has acknowledged a list of skills as shortage skills, and occupations utilizing these skills are in high demand in New Zealand. The list is updated by the Immigration of New Zealand regularly to reflect the current situation. This makes it easier for people who want to migrate to the country.

Basically, there are three different Skill Shortage Lists in New Zealand

Immediate Skill Shortage List (ISSL)

Immediate skill shortage list includes those skills for which no qualified New Zealand citizens are available. ISSL is used for Essential Skills temporary work visa policy. One who gets a job in New Zealand based on the shortage skills listed in this list does not have a direct access to residence. ISSL is a list of occupations which are much in demand in specific regions of New Zealand. Crop farmers, market gardeners, surveying technicians are some of the skills mentioned in the list.

Long Term Skills Shortage List (LTSSL)

Skills listed in the long term shortage list are ongoing and for a long term of highly skilled professions. The list is used for essential skills category which is a temporary work visa policy, and also for skilled migrant category which is for resident visas. Candidates who move to New Zealand to work through Long Term Skills Shortage list are eligible for getting residence through Work to Residence policy, which is also called as Skilled Migrant category.

The list identifies skills that are in demand on all regions of New Zealand. Candidates whose skills come in this list can qualify for a resident migrant. Skills in the fields of engineering, agriculture and forestry, and construction are a few skills in the list. ICT Support, Web developers, System analyst, Network engineer, Test Engineer, Systems Analyst, Software Engineer, Engineering  professions like Civil, Electrical, Electronics, and Chemical Engineering,Hospitality industry profession like Chefs, Bakers, Restaurant and Bar managers are much in demand. Migrants who get job in one of these profiles will get a work visa under Long Term Skill Shortage List work to residence.

Canterbury Skill Shortage List (CSSL)

In November 2012, owing to the high demand for skills in the Canterbury region, a Canterbury Skill shortage list has been issued. The CSSL is a temporary list highlighting professions that are in shortage in the Canterbury region. The list is used relating to the Essential Sills policy. If one get a job in New Zealand based on the shortage skills mentioned in this list, they are eligible for residence through the Skilled migrant category. The list elaborates a range of skills including those in engineering, construction and telecommunications. Candidates whose skills fall under this list have possibility to qualify for a temporary work visa.

Employment position in 2016

Business confidence and the employers hiring intentions are increasing in New Zealand. Major metropolitan cities of Canterbury and Auckland had gone through tremendous economic growth. Agricultural sector in New Zealand is quickly recovering from the drought which happened during 2013, and hence candidates with qualifications in agriculture have better job opportunities here.

Researches forecast high employment opportunities for high skilled jobs including managers and professionals. Low skilled workers will get good opportunity in the field of food processing, agriculture, construction, and retailing. Employment growth is predicted to be very strong in the regions of Canterbury and Auckland during 2016. Candidates who want to migrate to New Zealand under Skilled Migrant category also have the chance to gain bonus points in their application.

Study to migrate under Shortage Skills List

For a person considering career options and migration to New Zealand, it is a right option to consider the industries which has skill shortages, and take a course which will ultimately lead to a career in those fields. These pathways make it easier for a person who is considering migrating to New Zealand.

For a highly skilled worker, migration application to New Zealand becomes easier. Once a person is able to get a job in New Zealand, the process to apply for a work visa, or maybe the one that leads to residence is easy and quick.

A student can take a degree, diploma, or PG course under the shortage skills list. This will help them to gain points for gaining entry into New Zealand under Skilled Migrant category, or for Permanent Residency. Students who are qualified this way can apply for a one year of full time work visa. After gaining a one year visa, they can again apply for two years of work permit or maybe even for Permanent Residency based on their qualifications and performance.

Benefits to taking courses to enrich shortage skills

Taking a course to enrich shortage skills, offers chances to improve work prospects and immigration to New Zealand. These courses focus on useful training, and operational skills in a certain field, and develop specialized skills. Companies in New Zealand restructure themselves to become more flexible to market demands. Having qualifications in shortage skills will make one more valuable to the company. Highly skilled and candidates with special qualifications enjoy greater job security, salary, and perks. A permanent residency holder enjoy multiple benefits like discounted fees for his or her higher studies, loan facilities, less interest, and easy travelling to other countries.

Note: Professions in the shortage skills list is periodically updated by Immigration of New Zealand, and are subject to changes.