MALAYSIAN students are about to discover that choosing a career may be easier than once thought.
The 2014 New Zealand Occupation Outlook was released to clearly indicate not only what jobs are available but also how much money you can make, how much it will cost to study and most importantly, the prospects of employment.
The Occupation Outlook, by the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, is designed to be one of the first places for young people to look when making a decision on career options, giving a clear breakdown of 50 key occupations in New Zealand.
Broken down into five key areas: Social and Community Services, Creative Industries, Service Industries, Primary Industries, Manufacturing and Technology as well as Construction and Infrastructure, every student will be able to find what they’re interested in.
There has been a shortage of good occupation-level information for students and parents about where the best opportunities are and what study options present the greatest prospects for young people.
The Occupation Outlook helps address this shortage with current and relevant labour market information. It brings together a range of labour demand-side information, such as employment forecasts, to provide a clearer picture for jobseekers and students. Some examples of the Occupational Outlook:
There is a shortage of engineering professionals in New Zealand, and new graduates are in high demand.
Many engineering jobs are on Immigration New Zealand’s skills shortage lists; this means the government is encouraging engineering professionals to migrate to New Zealand.
Civil, geotechnical and structural engineers are especially in demand due to the rebuilding of Christchurch.
The Canterbury rebuild is beginning to take hold and expand, increasing the job opportunities for architects. Increased building activity in other New Zealand regions should also contribute to improved job prospects over the next few years.
Job prospects for ICT business and systems analysts are good. Demand for employees in these fields has been growing, and there are not enough graduates to meet this demand.
Both of these occupations are on Immigration New Zealand’s long-term skills shortage list, reflecting the fact there are currently not enough graduates to meet demand. Job prospects are likely to remain strong in coming years. The outlook for a career in accounting is good, and should remain so because of growing demand for accounting services. This career usually requires a degree, but your job prospects are better as a member of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants. Becoming a chartered accountant requires work experience and some further study.
People who complete medical training have very strong employment prospects, as demand continues to grow for doctors and nurses in New Zealand and around the world. In New Zealand, demand for general and specialist medical care will continue to grow because of the ageing population, and because about one-third of doctors in general practice are retiring over the next decade.
Pharmacists have roles ranging from dispensing medicines, reviewing medications for safety and effectiveness, providing advice to patients on their medicines, and providing advice on minor ailments.
They also develop careers in non-clinical roles in the public and private sectors. In their first five years, fully qualified pharmacists usually receive NZ$70,000 to NZ$80,000 per year. Employment opportunities for pharmacists are good due to increasing demand from New Zealand’s ageing population.
These occupations are key for students to know and understand, especially for those looking to migrate to another country and wish to apply for working visas.
The Occupational Outlook also provides advice to students about what employers are looking for. Making a decision on which career to choose is only one step in the journey towards employment.
Other important decisions you will make, and information you will need, includes:
• where to study
• how to apply for jobs (including writing a CV)
• how to prepare for job interviews
• how to negotiate job offers.
If you want to find out more about different careers and how much money they can make you, or even if there is a chance of gaining employment, go to www.dol.govt.nz/occupation-outlook and download the free New Zealand Occupational Outlook.
If you would like to get your foot in the door to a career in New Zealand and study in New Zealand, visit www.studyinnewzealand.com and check out the range of institutions, courses and find out more about your working rights.