Essential Skills in Demand

Changes to the list of Essential Skills in Demand

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has completed its annual review of two of the Essential Skills in Demand Lists – the Long Term Skill Shortage List and the Immediate Skill Shortage List.  Changes will be in effect from 24th March 2014.

Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL)
The LTSSL identifies occupations that have an absolute (sustained and ongoing) shortage of skilled workers both globally and throughout New Zealand.  Migrants who gain employment in one of these occupations may be granted a work visa under the LTSSL Work to Residence or Essential Skills instructions.  Migrants applying for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category may gain bonus points towards their application if they have an offer of employment, work experience or qualifications in an area of absolute skill shortage identified on the LTSSL.
The occupations which will be removed from the LTSSL are:

• Audiologist
• Dietitian
• Hospital Pharmacist
• Industrial Pharmacist
• Internal Auditor
• Medical Diagnostic Radiographer
• Midwife
• Occupational Therapist
• Osteopath
• Retail Pharmacist
• Conductive Education Practitioner
• Specialist Manager not elsewhere classified
• Speech Language Therapist
• Urban and Regional Planner

A submission to add Bakery Manager to the LTSSL was declined.
Immediate Skill Shortage List (ISSL)
The ISSL identifies occupations that have an immediate shortage of skilled workers either throughout New Zealand or in certain regions. Migrants wishing to work in occupations on the ISSL may be granted work visas under Essential Skills instructions if they meet the specified qualifications and/or experience requirements.
One occupation will be added to the ISSL:

• Registered Nurse (Mental Health)

The occupations which will be removed from the ISSL are:

• Dispensing Optician
• Internal Auditor

Submissions to add occupations to the ISSL were declined for: Aeroplane Pilot; Fitter and Turner; and Metal Fabricator.

Three occupations that were reviewed last year and were scheduled to be removed from the ISSL with a year’s notice will take effect at the same time.  These occupations are Truck Driver (General), Café and Restaurant Manager, and Motor Mechanic (General) (Automotive Technician).

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