Where are all the job seekers? Tauranga job perks on offer as market heats up

Ingham Mora Chartered Accountants practice manager Karyn Abery says it's been challenging finding skilled staff. Photo / George Novak

Luxury trips, work vehicles, higher wages and medical perks are just some of the incentives desperate employers are offering skilled job seekers to get them on the payroll.

Western Bay's strong economy and the hot job market have created a skills shortage - with one recruitment agency saying it could place 50 people into work tomorrow.

Data from a Labour Market Report compiled by Priority One and Ara Rau Pathways to Work shows job listings had soared and sectors including manufacturing, professional services, engineering and IT were under pressure.

Ingham Mora Chartered Accountants practice manager Karyn Abery said there were opportunities for people to advance their careers.

''We are in need of qualified accounting staff, of varying degrees, from accountants with a couple of years experience through to those who have yards of it, are bored with the day-to-day compliance work and are hungry for a leadership role.''

The company had experienced continual growth over the past 12 months and "spread all over the conventional, and unconventional methods of tapping the talent pool".

Metlifecare People, Talent and Culture transformation lead Bégum Fincham. Photo / File

Metlifecare People, Talent and Culture transformation lead Bégum Fincham said it was seeking people with skills and experience in healthcare and hospitality including chefs and kitchen workers.

It had been challenging to recruit staff due to nationwide shortages and Metlifecare was also increasing its number of villages to keep up with demand.

"There are opportunities to learn and develop new skills, take part in workstreams and projects outside of your usual role, and work with a range of people throughout the business."

Phil Van Syp, from 1st Call Recruitment, said if 50 people showed up tomorrow with the right skill sets and attitudes they could get work.

Phill Van Syp is the managing director at 1st Call Recruitment. Photo / File

"We can't get enough arms and legs to be honest and it is industry-wide."

The number of applicants per job was low and employers had to pull out all the stops to get people.

It was a competitive marketplace and employers were becoming creative with packages, he said.

"Companies are definitely getting competitive and trying to find ways to sweeten the deal."

Van Syp said a recent candidate who got offered a high-paying job wanted to know if it came with this and that, before he would sign.

''They are coming to the party with vehicles and other perks. There is medical cover and overseas holidays for high achievers, work trips, phones and flexibility.

''They are looking at all sorts across the board including employee wellness and productivity.

''They are getting creative because it is a competitive marketplace. There are lots of perks being offered like trips for high achievers, vehicles, medical incentives and higher salaries."

Priority One chief executive Nigel Tutt. Photo / File

Priority One chief executive Nigel Tutt said businesses were finding it hard to get talent which was a by-product of a successful economy.

But it could constrain businesses that wanted to grow and wages in Tauranga lagged behind the rest of the country.

''The unemployment rate is very low and the job market is hot, so getting a job should be as easy as it would ever be. On the flipside the region also has more people on benefits than we would traditionally see. It's a two-speed job market.''

Data shows the Mean Annual Earnings, earnings in Tauranga City were $59,759 compared to the New Zealand average of $64,237 in 2020.

''I would expect that gap to close though, due to the types of job growth and employers needing to pay more to get talent due to the shortages,'' Tutt said.

Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Matt Cowley. Photo / File

Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Matt Cowley said supply chain issues and borders reopening were having an impact, alongside access to labour including dishwashers for hospitality right through to highly skilled workers for the construction industry.

Tauranga's "lifestyle" brand was also starting to wear thin.

''As our population grows and we have relied too much on our coastal lifestyle. I think people are moving here to be more accessible to their family and the excitement to be part of this growing economic epicentre outside of Auckland.''

Hospitality NZ regional manager Alan Sciascia said the industry had a dire shortage of staff and the scenario had amplified poaching.

''They [employers] are now more encouraged to go and try to poach employees from other businesses. That creates a lot of difficulties for those who have lost staff.''

Trade Me Jobs sales director Matt Tolich said the highest-paying role in Tauranga in Q1 of 2021 was a project management role in construction and roading that paid $200,000 per year.

The most viewed job listing in Tauranga over the same timeframes was a seasonal laboratory technician role in the agriculture, fishing & forestry sector that was viewed 2237 times.

There had been a phenomenal increase in listings around the country including a 29 per cent spike in Tauranga.

''We put much of this down to the lack of migrant workers creating a skill short market. We're also seeing Kiwis increase their discretionary spending on things like house renovations and car upgrades from their redirected overseas holiday funds.''

Ministry of Social Development Bay of Plenty regional commissioner Mike Bryant. Photo / File

Regional Commissioner for Social Development Mike Bryant said although it had been a challenging year there were still a lot of job opportunities.

Between January 1 and April 30, there had been 4533 main benefit cancellations in Bay of Plenty due to obtaining work.

''The number of people receiving Jobseeker support in our region is falling, and we are pleased for those who have been successful in finding work.''

Work brokers at MSD service centres worked with employers and jobseekers to find employment opportunities, match people to roles and offer support.

''Jobseekers are finding opportunities in a variety of industries including hospitality, roofing, construction, administration, kiwifruit and forestry. There are also multiple apprenticeship opportunities.''