Having just returned from the UK after attending the New Zealand Opportunities Expo, I am more convinced than ever that New Zealand is still the preferred immigration destination.  It is important for us to market ourselves more to the cultures and skills that we require and that will best serve our needs in terms of correcting our skills shortage.  

The show started with a large queue at the door and when the doors opened, in they came. Ten thousand people from all walks of life rushed through the doors.  I attended with four other recruitment companies. Between us we registered over 500 people who all intend to immigrate to New Zealand over the next two years.  50 of these registrations are ‘rag traders’ or people who are on the periphery to the rag trade.

What was interesting in the UK was how much of the Industry is off shore. Whilst in New Zealand the bulk of CMT is off shore but the design merchandising and production, sales and marketing and distribution warehousing  team is on shore, in the UK it appears that a lot of the design and technical area has been contracted offshore especially in the bulk market.

What appeals to the candidates wanting to come to New Zealand is the flexibility and the scope of the roles we have here.

The most interesting aspect to the skills that we registered is how pigeon holed they are. Once they get a job in fashion in a particular area in the UK that’s where you stay. What appeals to the candidates wanting to come to New Zealand is the flexibility and the scope of the roles we have here. They see that they will get more experience and be able to add to their skills.

 I was also surprised at the rate of remuneration paid in the UK. I always thought that the New Zealand Fashion Industry was not classed as highly paid, however by comparison in some of the intermediate roles if you look at the dollar as equivalent in spend capacity, which it is, our industry salaries are far higher. Therefore by immigrating to New Zealand they will afford a better lifestyle for themselves.
 
The fear from clients may still be - how do we get them in and what is the time frame.

Rag Trade Recruitment has been working with the Immigration Department over the passed 6 months lobbying them to put the fashion industry on the skills shortage list. I am pleased to announce that we are making progress.  A new amendment has been issued to everyone at the immigration service.

Significantly for our industry under acceptable trades requiring a level three or above qualification is now Apparel Manufacture (including Cutting, Design, Patternmaking and Machine Sewing: Mechanic and Production. Fashion Designer is also named in this category which means that all of the above roles will now be able to claim points with their skill. We are thrilled that immigration now recognizes our Industry as skilled. Before this we had a problem bringing in immigrants with these skills under the point system.

New Zealand Immigration is very keen to work with Industry to ensure that we bring in the right people for the right jobs and that they, the immigration process is not seen as a long and difficult one.

If anyone would like to find out more about immigration or the New Zealand Opportunities Expo please do not hesitate to phone Gaye Harford +64 9 522 5001.