New Zealand is currently experiencing a critical shortage of Civil Engineers and Construction Professionals across the country.
According to the sixth annual Construction Industry Survey by Teletrac Navman and Civil Contractors New Zealand (CCNZ), attracting, training, and retaining skilled people remains the construction industry’s greatest challenge.
As a result of intensified skill shortages, businesses are stepping up with more measures to attract and retain workers by placing incentives and increasing pay to flexible hours. In particular, there has been a distinct jump in companies offering employees competitive salaries (92%), followed by flexible hours (38%).
Staff shortages have affected major infrastructure projects in New Zealand and the government has introduced a new streamlined pathway to residency called the Green List to attract highly skilled migrants for hard-to-fill positions.
Green List
The Green List provides two pathways for residence – a fast track or work-to-residence path. Eligible migrants working in these occupations or paid twice the median wage will have clear pathways to residence.
The Green List is shorter and more focused than the Regional Skills Shortage List. Many of the roles on the Long-Term Skills Shortage List are on the Green List. These fields of industries are hard to fill, including construction, engineering, trades, health workers, and tech.
Construction and Engineering roles on the current Green List include:
- Chemical Engineer
- Civil Construction Supervisor
- Civil Engineer
- Civil Engineer Technician
- Civil Machine Operator
- Construction Project Manager (Roading and Infrastructure/Foreman)
- Crane Operator
- Electrical Engineer
- Electrical Engineering Technician
- Electronics Engineer
- Electronic Engineering Technician
- Engineering Professionals
- Environmental Engineer
- Geotechnical Engineer
- Industrial Engineer
- Materials Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Production or Plant Engineer
- Project Builder
- Quantity Surveyor
- Safety Engineer
- Structural Engineer
- Surveyor (Spatial Science Technician/Hydrographic Technician/Land Surveyor
- Telecommunications Engineer
- Telecommunications Network Engineer
The Green List is always in constant review and will be reviewed in mid-2023.
Click on the link below to find out more.
Green List occupations | Immigration New Zealand
Hence, New Zealand is desperately looking for employees with a background in engineering and construction to work in specific areas. This includes Auckland, Canterbury, Christchurch, and Wellington.
Getting your skills recognized
New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)
New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) evaluates overseas tertiary and qualifications to determine how they compare to New Zealand qualifications. When the NZQA assess a qualification, the recognition status in the country of the award is checked. The relevant regulations in those countries are also reviewed.
International Qualification assessment (IQA)
The IQA is a standard assessment of a tertiary or upper-secondary qualification awarded overseas. This can be requested for various purposes, including teacher registration, immigration, teacher salary assessment, employment, and further study.
Click on the link below if you would like to find out if an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) is required.
New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF)
It is important to check that your study program leads toward a New Zealand qualification on the NZQF. These qualifications pave a clear pathway to the knowledge and skills you have gained and what employment opportunities the qualification leads to. All the information here is used to compare the qualification to the levels of qualification on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF).
Engineering New Zealand
Engineering New Zealand is a network for engineers that come from academic, companies, firms, and Government institutions. Joining an international register will build your credibility, provide opportunities, and be recognised as an engineering professional on an international standard.
If you want to register, you must complete an online application form. Ensure the criteria in the link below are met and that your learning qualification records are up to date.
Engineering New Zealand membership application
Criteria
IntPE
- Chartered Member
- Undergraduate or postgraduate in an engineering degree or a Washington Accord-accredited qualification
- 7 years of practical engineering experience and 2 years taking responsibility for vital engineering activities
IntET
- Chartered Member Engineering Technologist
- A Sydney Accord-accredited qualification
- 7 years of practical engineering experience and 2 years taking responsibility for vital engineering activities
IntETn
- Chartered member – Engineering Technologist
- A Dublin Accord-accredited qualification
- 1 year of experience in practical engineering
Becoming a Chartered Professional Engineer
A Chartered Professional Engineer is an engineer who is registered through ‘Engineering New Zealand’. To become one, you must have equivalent knowledge and have a Washington-Accord-accredited qualification. Also, complete an assessment to show evidence that you meet the standards, and understand the Code of Ethical Conduct. To maintain your registration, you will be asked to reassess your qualification.
If you would like to know more in detail, click on the link below.
Chartered Professional Engineer | Engineering NZ
Last Update: August 2022
