'Prosperous future': Pacific workforce called on to fill NZ labour shortage

An employment expert says a new initiative set on engaging with the Pacific workforce to fill the country’s growing labour shortages could be a win-win for everyone.

This follows a 12-month plan to address the lack of skilled workers in the manufacturing, engineering and logistics (MEL) sectors.

Hanga-Aro-Rau, the Manufacturing, Engineering and Logistics Workforce Development Council (WDC), presented the Luaman'i o Tangata Moana, Pacific Peoples Workforce Development Action Plan on Tuesday.

The council estimated in a report two years ago that New Zealand would be short of 40,000 manufacturing and engineering workers by 2028.

Pacific Academic Development lecturer and Interim Manager Pacific Success at Unitec, Sooalo Laupu'e Daisy Bentley-Gray, told William Terite on Pacific Mornings that this programme is a great opportunity to embrace.

"Having gone through the document myself I think that there's genuine interest in meaningful reasons behind it," Bentley-Gray said.

"In the consultation that the WDC would've had with industry providers and Pacific communities [will] benefit Pacific peoples in the future.

"Any initiative to ensure there are pathways carved out for a prosperous future for our Pacific communities is always a positive."

Watch the full interview via 531pi's FB below:

Hanga-Aro-Rau found one in five of the Pacific workforce are labourers, reports of racism, discrimination and pay inequity, and a lack of representation in senior and management roles, where Pacific workers were not given clarity and information on pathways to promotional opportunities.

They also reported that 25.8 per cent of companies surveyed had no Pacific employees in the logistics sector.

The Workforce Development Council broke down their recommendations for rectifying these inequities into four priorities:

Photo /WDC.

Bentley-Gray commended the WDC's action plan, especially since Pacific communities were involved in their research.

"It's now also seeking a perspective in terms of how it's intended to be rolled out.

"I'm pretty sure... they will take a face-to-face approach in which they'll find out what the needs are.

"I think it's in the best interest of our people in the future that this be done correctly with multiple engagements with other partners."