New Zealand's Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) program has been a crucial pathway for international workers seeking employment opportunities in the country. Recent data from July 1, 2022, to July 6, 2024, provides valuable insights into the occupations and nationalities that have been most successful in securing these visas. Let's delve into the numbers and explore the trends and opportunities they reveal.
Occupational Trends:
The following table shows the top 20 occupations for AEWV approvals:
AEWV applications approved by occupation 1JUL2022 to 06JUL2024
Builder's Labourer (Skill Level 5) 11,350
Carpenter (Skill Level 3) 4,341
Truck Driver (General) (Skill Level 4) 4,018
Cook (Skill Level 4) 3,782
Personal Care Assistant (Skill Level 4) 3,319
Chef (Skill Level 2) 3,064
Retail Supervisor (Skill Level 4) 2,666
Dairy Cattle Farm Worker (Skill Level 5) 2,613
Meat Process Worker (Skill Level 5) 2,173
Fast Food Cook (Skill Level 5) 2,037
Kitchenhand (Skill Level 5) 1,874
Aged or Disabled Carer (Skill Level 4) 1,830
Commercial Cleaner (Skill Level 4) 1,727
Painting Trades Worker (Skill Level 3) 1,723
Registered Nurse (Medical) (Skill Level 1) 1,714
Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher (Skill Level 1) 1,438
Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (Skill Level 1) 1,421
Beauty Therapist (Skill Level 3) 1,338
Sales Assistant (General) (Skill Level 5) 1,283
Delivery Driver (Skill Level 4) 1,245
Others 67,660
Total 122,616
Several key trends emerge from this data:
- Construction Boom: Builder's Labourers top the list with 11,350 approvals, while Carpenters rank second with 4,341. This indicates a strong demand in the construction sector, likely driven by ongoing infrastructure projects and housing needs.
- Essential Services: Truck Drivers (4,018), Cooks (3,782), and Personal Care Assistants (3,319) round out the top five, highlighting the importance of logistics, hospitality, and healthcare sectors.
- Skill Level Diversity: The approvals span across various skill levels, from Level 1 (highest) to Level 5 (entry-level). This suggests opportunities for workers with different qualifications and experience levels.
- Healthcare Focus: With Registered Nurses (both Medical and Aged Care) in the top 20, there's a clear demand for healthcare professionals.
- Retail and Hospitality: Roles such as Retail Supervisor, Fast Food Cook, and Kitchenhand indicate ongoing needs in these customer-facing industries.
Nationality Trends:
The second table provides insights into the nationalities of successful AEWV applicants:
AEWV applications approved by nationality 1JUL2022 to 06JUL2024
India 32,368
Philippines 26,285
China 15,397
Fiji 7,669
South Africa 5,401
Vietnam 4,567
Great Britain 3,588
Sri Lanka 3,364
Nepal 1,721
Brazil 1,498
Others 20,758
Total 122616
Key observations:
- Asian Dominance: The top three countries - India (32,368), Philippines (26,285), and China (15,397) - account for over 60% of all approvals.
- Pacific Island Connection: Fiji ranks fourth with 7,669 approvals, reflecting strong ties between New Zealand and Pacific Island nations.
- Diverse Global Interest: The presence of countries like South Africa, Great Britain, and Brazil in the top 10 demonstrates New Zealand's appeal to a wide range of nationalities.
The AEWV approval data provides a snapshot of New Zealand's evolving workforce landscape. It highlights the country's reliance on international talent across various sectors and skill levels. For job seekers considering New Zealand as a destination, understanding these trends can help in identifying promising career paths and opportunities. Employers, too, can use this information to inform their recruitment strategies and tap into the global talent pool effectively.
As New Zealand continues to welcome skilled workers from around the world, the AEWV program plays a crucial role in shaping the country's economic future and cultural fabric. By staying attuned to these trends, all stakeholders - from policymakers to job seekers - can make informed decisions to contribute to New Zealand's growth and prosperity.
Source: New Zealand Immigration - Statistics
updated: 23-Jul-2024