WHERE HAVE ALL THE WORKERS GONE?

We’ve all noticed it – the slower service in our cafes & supermarkets, the airline flights cancelled at the last minute, freight taking longer than ever due to a shortage of truck drivers, and many businesses cutting back their opening hours just to cope. We’re in a staffing crisis, but why? Is it still COVID related? Surely not!

We checked in with the experts and with local employers to find out what’s happening at ground level, and what we can do to solve the problem.

The Employers & Manufacturers Association (EMA) say that the problem is spread across numerous industries including, manufacturing, transport, construction, health, hospitality and retail sectors.

So why do we have a shortage? There are several reasons. The lack of immigrants due to the borders being closed is a big one. Our slow immigration reset means that not only are we missing our migrant farm workers; we’re also missing their extended family members who topped up our health, hospitality and other sectors; nor have we had the steady influx of students arriving on working holiday visas.

NZ wages are low compared to Australia and the UK and many of our young people have leapt at the chance to travel again and earn better wages overseas.

At the other end of the scale, there’s been a serious spike in retirement levels - older workers leaving the workforce earlier than expected, taking valuable skills and oldschool work ethics out of the workforce.

We’ve also discovered the joys of working from home and working fewer hours. It all adds up. It’s tough. Wages are escalating, and staff poaching is prevalent. Attracting and retaining immigrants in Mid Canterbury is key to our speedy recovery. They don’t come here for high wages, they come for the lifestyle, education and healthcare. They come to make a new, better life for themselves and their families, so its up to us to make them welcome.

Mark Milmine from Millhouse Kitchen in Ashburton says he’s several workers short. “I do think that the situation is improving slowly, but it can’t happen soon enough for us. We’re good employers. Hospitality is all about having happy customers, and that comes from having happy staff. Everyone is having to work that little bit harder at the moment. Just finding someone to clear tables for a few hours would make a difference. We’d welcome them with open arms.”

Terry from Paper Plus Ashburton worries about where the skilled workers have all gone. “I really hope we see a turnaround soon. It has to happen to keep businesses running.” Paper Plus is looking for a full-time staff member. “I’ve advertised, but it’s hard to find people available to work the hours and you have to be fair to everyone. We don’t need experience, just a willingness to learn and positive attitude. It’s a great opportunity to kickstart a career in retail.”

Paddy Kennedy from Ashburton Meat Processors says that the company is a great employer - big enough to have a bustling workplace, but small enough to be family. Like many others, they need staff for a variety of positions. “We run a 12-month, Monday to Friday operation with some

Saturday work available. Pay rates are excellent, we’re equal opportunity employers with a balance of genders and we’re multi-cultural – a real melting pot of nationalities. I won’t pretend it’s not hard work, it is, but anyone with a passion to get ahead would do well here,” he says.

Staffing is an ongoing concern for Dave Whalley of McDonalds, Ashburton & Rolleston. Pre-pandemic, as the holiday season approached every year, he bolsters staff numbers to cover their busiest time. “We’ve always relied on students looking for holiday work and the extended families of local migrant workers as well as locals. We try to be really flexible, but we’re definitely feeling the pressure of a tightly-staffed 24-hour operation. We keep putting the message out there and we keep getting a response, but just not as many as we would in previous times.”

Sarah Smith of Bayleys Ashburton says that the local office is looking for licensed agents. “Real Estate is a great industry for passionate, motivated agents. Ashburton is a vibrant market and we are busy at present. Our local Bayleys office has a great culture. We have a great mix of younger new agents, and older, experienced agents. We’re competitive, but we’re all supportive of each other too. We’re a fun workplace.”

Looking new job in 2023 for a

Whether you're new to the job market, in need of a fresh start, or you're looking to set new career goals this year, you’re in luck: it’s a great time to be looking for work because businesses around Mid Canterbury, and around the country are crying out for skilled, talented, enthusiastic applicants.

In this new world of work, job applicants can pretty much pick and choose, so take the time to think through what you expect in the workplace. Will there be flexible working options, possibly hybrid work? Is there are career progression path?

A word of caution: It’s not wise – and completely unnecessary - to over-sell or exaggerate your skills, or years of experience.

If you’ve found the job you really want but you’re missing some key attributes, be honest. More often than not, a potential employer will be very happy to hire someone who is enthusiastic and willing to learn. Experience may be preferred but not required, even though the listing doesn’t spell that out.