Demand for ICT skilled workers now on the rise in New Zealand

CEBU, Philippines - Aside from the demand for nurses, New Zealand is also announcing the growing demand for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skilled workers.

 In an interview with Alan Koziarski, New Zealand trade and enterprise regional director, he said that highly skilled workers especially in the ICT field is now one of the fastest growing demand in their country.

The Philippines, which is known for its good supply of software engineers, and IT professionals could take advantage of this development, he said.

Koziarski said that New Zealand is projecting that the software and information technology sectors are going to contribute tremendously to their country’s economic development.

Currently, the ICT sector is considered as one of the fast growing economic contributors in New Zealand, he said.

The ICT industry in Koziarski said contributes NZD$19.3 billion annually to the country’s economy and presently employs over 40,000 people.

The robust growth of ICT sector in New Zealand means more demand for good ICT professionals from all over the world, specifically from the Philippines.

Other growing industries in New Zealand also include film, fashion (creative), aviation, and marine industries.

“The Philippines is one of the countries providing skilled workers to various industries in New Zealand,” said New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Andrew Matheson.

The Ambassador said other job opportunities for Filipinos in New Zealand, aside from nurses, ICT, are also in the fields of dairy, accounting, and other health services.    

Under the new ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) which was signed in January last year, New Zealand will allow up to 100 Philippine nurses to work there as registered nurses at any one time for a period of three years.

Nurses will be given working visas even while they are undergoing the required bridging courses and examinations.

New Zealand will also allow up to 20 Philippine farm managers and 20 Philippine engineering professionals to enter the country at any one time for a period of three years.

Matheson said that the New Zealand government has also agreed to work with the Philippines to help develop the local dairy industry, an industry that currently supplies only about one percent of this country’s demand.

His country and the Philippines may also enter into negotiations for a reciprocal working holiday scheme open to up to 100 citizens of each country. This will allow young people to stay for up to a year and work to support their extended vacation.

Meanwhile, based on the same trade agreement Australia has announced it will provide opportunities for Filipino professionals and skilled workers, as Australia expanded the definition of Contractual Service Suppliers in its movement of natural persons (MNP) commitment to cover both professionals, including nurses, and skilled workers.

The agreement states that Australia will accord fully working rights to spouses of intra-corporate transferees, independent executives and Contractual Service Suppliers if their stay is greater than 12 months.— (FREEMAN)