Why the trades can't find workers, even with rising unemployment
Friday 3 Oct 2025
Manufacturing and trades employers in New Zealand face a
frustrating reality: unemployment is rising, yet finding skilled, job-ready workers remains tough. The more specialised the role, the
harder it is to fill, especially in regional areas.
Our recruitment team has continued to receive high levels of enquiry
right through the post-covid recession, but we still need to look
overseas for talent we simply can’t find in NZ.
So why is it still so hard to find the people you need?
- Unemployment doesn’t mean job-ready. Many unemployed
workers lack the certifications, experience, or physical readiness for
specialised roles.
- Skilled staff are heading overseas. Skilled New Zealanders
continue to move overseas chasing better pay and opportunities.
- The workforce is ageing. Many seasoned hands are retiring, and
there just aren’t enough young apprentices coming through, despite
government and industry efforts.
- Trades roles are becoming more complex. More of today’s
roles demand digital literacy and IT skills.
- Immigration stand-down periods are making things worse. Visa
stand-down periods for low-skilled workers are starting to take effect.
Impacted staff have to leave NZ for 12 months unless they can move into
a higher skilled role. Knowing your migrant staff and planning ahead is
key.
Top recruitment tips to secure your workforce:
- Retain your best staff with competitive pay and benefits.
- Make the workplace enjoyable, people stay where they feel respected
and trusted.
- Trust the youngsters, they’re often IT savvy and eager to
learn.
- Invest in training and apprenticeships.
- Plan ahead, don’t wait until you’re short-staffed.
Need help?
At Greenstone Recruitment, we help Manufacturing, Trades and Engineering
employers find skilled staff, locally and internationally. Our strong
international networks and expert immigration team mean you get skilled
workers faster, with less hassle, and no guesswork. Call Phil
Hughes on (+64) 27 911 1343 or visit www.greenstone-
recruitment.co.nz.
Source: Greenstone Recruitment
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