Strong employment growth is expected in the construction and utilities industries, along with the hospitality sector, wholesale and retail trade and business services over the next two to three years.
Growth in demand for employment in highly skilled occupations (mostly managers and professionals) will be higher than the overall employment growth, accounting for more than 58 per cent of the overall employment growth over the next three years.
Opportunities for lower-skilled workers are forecast to account for about 28 per cent of the employment growth over this period. The food processing, retailing, accommodation, business services and construction industries are expected to create most of these opportunities.
Regional employment growth over the next three years is forecast to be spread across many regions. The share of employment growth will be strongest in the Auckland, Canterbury, Waikato and Otago/Southland regions accounting for nearly two-thirds of the overall growth during the three years.