New Zealand culls skill shortage list

The recession has seen Immigration New Zealand cut 44 occupations from its skill shortage list. The new Essential Skills in Demand list now features just 87 occupations. People in listed occupations can be fast-tracked through the migration process.

Many of the occupations taken off the skill shortage list are trades, not positions filled by knowledge workers. On the other hand those remaining are mainly professional and knowledge-based roles.

Jobs no longer on New Zealand’s skills-shortage list include:

• Baker.
• Bicycle mechanic.
• Bricklayer.
• Butcher.
• Carpenter.
• Dental assistant.
• Motor mechanic.
• Plasterer.
• Scaffolder.
• Screen printer.
• Sommelier.

New Zealand’s Essential Skills in Demand Lists