Addressing Workforce Shortages: The Importance of White-Collar Migrants in New Zealand
New Zealand’s dynamic economic landscape is experiencing robust growth, presenting employers with both opportunities and challenges. As industries expand, the demand for skilled professionals has intensified, creating a noticeable workforce and skill shortages, particularly in the white-collar sector.
For instance, New Zealand doesn’t have enough tech experts, and the number of local talents is not keeping up with the demand. A 2023 survey revealed that only 30% of tech companies are outsourcing their workforce, which is considered low given that the current pressures on the country’s economy allow for such a business model.
In this blog, we’ll delve into the reasons why embracing white-collar migrants is not just a solution to New Zealand’s employee and skill shortage but a strategic investment for your business.
5 Reasons for Offering White-Collar Jobs to Migrants
Revitalising Economic Growth
Offering white-collar jobs to migrants means injecting new skills, talents, and perspectives into the local workforce. Migrants often bring diverse experiences and expertise, contributing to increased productivity and innovation. As they become integrated into the job market, they not only fill employment gaps but also stimulate economic activity.
Filling Skill Gaps
Migrants are instrumental in addressing skill gaps within a workforce, particularly in industries that require specialised knowledge and expertise. By offering white-collar jobs to migrants, you can access a pool of skilled professionals who may possess unique qualifications that are in high demand. This not only strengthens the overall skill set of the workforce but also ensures that you remain competitive in an increasingly globalised and technologically advanced marketplace.
Driving Innovation and Creativity
Employing a homogenous type of workforce may lead to an echo chamber of unoriginal ideas, hindering your business’s scalability and competitiveness. On the other hand, migrant white-collar workers can bring unique ideas, innovation, and creativity within the workplace thanks to their diverse backgrounds and experiences. Offering them white-collar jobs also enhances your staff’s overall creativity and problem-solving capabilities. The synergy of different perspectives can lead to the development of innovative solutions and approaches, allowing you to adapt more effectively to changing market dynamics.
Mitigating the Aging Population Challenge
New Zealand’s ageing population and declining birth rate present challenges to workforce sustainability. It’s enough reason to hire migrant white-collar workers. Giving them jobs can introduce a younger and potentially more dynamic workforce into the job market. It can also contribute to New Zealand’s economic well-being and support social systems that rely on a balanced age demographic.
Enhancing Global Ties
Employing migrants fosters international collaboration and strengthens global ties. This interconnectedness not only enriches the workplace culture but also positions you to navigate global markets more effectively, building bridges and partnerships across borders.
Why You Should Outsource White-Collar Workers from the Philippines
Filipino migrant workers offer a myriad of benefits for your business. Firstly, they’re known for their strong work ethic, dedication, and proficiency in English, making them effective communicators and collaborators in international business settings.
It also has a high level of cultural adaptability, which is advantageous in a globalised workforce. Filipino workers often integrate seamlessly into diverse teams, bringing a blend of skills, creativity, and a positive attitude to the workplace.
The wage expectations for highly skilled professionals in the Philippines are also often more competitive compared to those in some Western countries, without compromising on the quality of work. This cost advantage can be particularly beneficial if you’re looking to optimise your operational expenses without compromising on talent quality.
How to Hire Migrant White-Collar Workers
If you’re ready to hire Filipino migrant workers, here are some steps you can take.
Understand visa requirements
It’s crucial to comprehend the visa requirements of both the Philippines and New Zealand. For instance, look into the Accredited Employer Work Visa, which allows migrants to work in the country for up to five years.
Familiarise yourself with the immigration process for a smoother hiring experience and provide accurate guidance to potential candidates, reducing any unnecessary delays or complications.
Use online platforms
Leveraging online platforms for job postings and recruitment is essential when seeking white-collar workers from the Philippines. Use international job boards and networking platforms to make your job opportunities visible to a broader audience.
This approach increases the likelihood of attracting qualified candidates who are unreachable through traditional hiring methods.
Offer relocation support
Relocating from the Philippines to New Zealand can be time-consuming, costly, and emotionally taxing for workers and their loved ones. To ease some of their worries, you can assist them in securing accommodation, navigating local services, and adapting to your culture.
Offering a smooth transition reinforces a positive employer image and can make the prospect of moving for work more appealing to potential hires.
Provide flexible work arrangements
About 67% of workers in New Zealand seek more work-life flexibility following the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Filipino workers want the same, so consider offering flexible work arrangements to boost their employee satisfaction.
You can adjust their work hours or provide options for remote work, promoting a healthy work-life balance and facilitating efficient collaboration across borders.
Collaborate with a recruitment agency
Collaborating with a recruitment agency for New Zealand can streamline your hiring process. They often have a network of qualified candidates, knowledge of cultural nuances, and expertise in navigating the legal and logistical aspects of international hiring.
Working with professionals in this field ensures a more efficient and targeted recruitment process, increasing the likelihood of finding the right white-collar talent for your business needs.
Find the Competent White-Collar Workers Staffhouse
White-collar workers significantly shape New Zealand’s booming economy. Yet, it currently faces a workforce and skills shortage. The solution? Hiring migrant white-collar workers. Take note of the points above to address labour shortages and drive your business forward.
Ready to hire more white-collar workers? Look no further than Staffhouse International Resources for your recruitment needs. Staffhouse, a recruitment agency in the Philippines, ranks #1 among all overseas recruitment agencies for 2018 in skilled worker deployment. Based on POEA’s ICT branch report, Staffhouse bested over 1,000 other recruitment agencies licensed by the DMW (formerly POEA).
We can help you outsource talent from the Philippines and contribute to New Zealand’s demand for skilled, migrant white-collar workers overall.
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