29 January 2008

New Zealand immigration could be increased as IT skills shortage to worsen

A research and analysis firm in New Zealand has predicted that the IT skills market in the country will tighten further in 2008. There have been suggestions that the solution could be New Zealand immigration. IDC has said in a report that the lack of skilled employees in the country will cause project costs to rise in the coming year.

In the report IDC said: "It is time to accept responsibility for counteracting the effects of the continuing New Zealand skill shortage. Whilst government and industry initiative might assist in mitigating the problem in the long run, companies need to address the most salient issues around attracting and retaining high-performing staff autonomously." The company also said that wages in the sector will increase, which could be good news for people considering New Zealand skilled immigration or who are thinking of filling out New Zealand online visa assessments.

Falling house prices in New Zealand may also encourage more New Zealand immigration. It was revealed last week that prices for housing in New Zealand fell by two per cent last month.

New Zealand needs skilled IT migrants: Anyone applying for a New Zealand visa should begin by taking the New Zealand Visa Bureau's online New Zealand visa assessment to see if they meet the basic legislative requirements.