The Recruiter's Blog

by Alan Charman

"If you want to get the inside oil on New Zealand employment (and social!) conditions, forget the Department of Labour and newspapers, read this blog!"

 

28 May 2009

An interesting budget, mostly for the slashing of government expenditure.

The most important thing so far is the international assessment of the budget and economy by Standard & Poors upgrading our rating from negative to stable - no doubt this will give Key much comfort that the path is the right one.

On the face of it, the cut in super funding is a good thing, and I think it pre-empts a further increase in the age of eligibility of super to 68 or 70 in the next decade. There is just no way New Zealand will be able to fund current levels without ongoing investment.

Fortunately, the employment market has matured in recent years and being 60, or even older, is no longer a barrier to employment.

In the short term, the only bright light on the employment horizon is in the area of heating and insulation, with the government committing around $200,000,000 to warm Kiwi homes.

 

27 May 2009

The most eagerly-awaited budget for some time comes up tomorrow morning, with Key & English pinning their hopes on not too much damage being done by the reinstigation of dairy subsidies in USA, and the EU likely to follow suit.

Also, with Home Insulation subsidies here, we're expecting huge demand for insulation installers, so get phoning now!

 

22 May 2009

Just a very quick note as The Recruiter is flat out recruiting.

We've been busy fulfilling an order for five new temps starting yesterday!

It becomes clear that some firms which have been holding spending are starting to loosen their purse strings.

I'll just leave with the example of our latest temp - a highly experienced maintenance fitter - who applied for a job at 7.30 this morning, and started at 11 am, wearing a brand new set of overalls we supplied him with.

If there's a better place to work, let me know!

And employers - if there's a better factory and maintenance contract staff supplier, you'd better have some impressive evidence!

 

20 May 2009

There can't be any further doubt that the New Zealand economy is poised to return to growth after a year of recession.

As you'll see from our own website, with several news jobs today, there are more opportunities around.

Some of the growth is in the higher technical area, but there are also good, solid jobs at the everyday level. Manufacturing is starting to show growth in many areas, and the companies doing especially well are those with overseas contracts - that fabled Kiwi genius is leading the way yet again!

It's going to be some time before the redundancies of the past 9 months, and those still to come, get soaked up by employers, but there will be ongoing opportunities.

There will also be some occupations where levels of business take years to return to 2007 glories, and if you're in an industry which seems stagnant, it might be a great time to re-train.

We're always happy to talk to people - with no obligation or cost, of course - who are considering a career change, or who need any employment advice at all.

Watch out for the recruiter at Trademe as well, as we answer your questions!

 

18 May 2009

A little light relief from the woes of recruiting today as we look at how dishonest Wellingtonians are, and just how far they're prepared to take their hatred of Auckland.

I was cruising the news sites when I discovered Stuff.co.nz's pictorial weather forecast for Auckland today:

 

This indicates a wet day in Auckland. Do note the time & date of the stuff.co page.

Then compare it with the reality of Auckland today, at the exact same time:

 

 

Brilliant sunshine in every picture, right across Auckland!

Wellington, with the exact same pictorial forecast:

 

Is actually getting the weather described:

 

 

I rest my case!

 

Also, feel free to talk to us at any time - our advice is always free and freely available.

More blogs, letters, essays and other stuff from Alan Charman

 

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