The employment market in New Zealand has changed in recent years, and more companies are using temporary workers to meet their staffing needs. Businesses throughout the world have long favoured temporary positions, or “temp” jobs, but New Zealand is starting to embrace this flexible work arrangement. There are several strong advantages of temporary employment in New Zealand that can help both sides, whether you’re a business looking for a flexible workforce or a person thinking about a temp position.
Let us look at the numbers:
According to a 2022 report by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, it is anticipated that the construction industry would employ a peak of 292,600. The number of employed is predicted to increase again until 2027, albeit at a comparatively slower pace, following a decline in 2023, with 2024 being particularly slow.
Employment in the residential building construction industry is predicted to stay steady, with growth slowing between 2022 and 2027. Growth is anticipated to decrease to 3% throughout those six years, as opposed to the 25% increase observed during the three years leading up to 2021.
Following three years of declines, it is also anticipated that employment in non-residential building construction will level out to about 9,000 between 2023 and 2027.
The more positive prognosis of infrastructure construction activities during the forecasted period is likely to support the continued strength of employment numbers in heavy and civil engineering construction. The number of employed is predicted to increase gradually, from 30,800 in 2021 to 34,100 in 2027.
The activities of the entire construction industry are reflected in employment in construction services, which includes land development and site preparation services, building structure services, building installation services, and building completion services. This employment pattern closely resembles the pattern of overall construction
employment projections. It is anticipated to reach its highest point in 2022 at 160,100, then fall to 157,800 in 2023 and 155,200 in 2024 before rising to 160,200 in 2027.
Source: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. (2022). Construction workforce projections, MBIE. Available at: https://www.mbie.govt.nz/building-and-energy/building/building-system-insights-programme/construction-workforce-projections. [Accessed on 02 December 2024].
1. Flexibility for Employers
Access to a flexible workforce is one of the main benefits of temporary employment for companies. The workload of many New Zealand businesses varies throughout the year, particularly in sectors like retail, tourism, hospitality, and agriculture. Employers who need to modify their employment levels in response to unforeseen staff absences, special projects, or seasonal demands might benefit greatly from the services of temporary workers.
For example, the agricultural industry in New Zealand frequently experiences peak seasons during harvest, when there is a greater need for personnel. Farmers can hire more workers with temporary employment because it doesn’t require the long-term commitment of permanent contracts. In a similar vein, the tourism sector experiences a surge in demand for workers throughout the summer due to an increase in visitors. In these situations, companies might hire temporary workers to manage the burden without running the danger of hiring too many people during slow times.
2. Cost-Effectiveness for Employers
For New Zealand businesses, particularly small to medium-sized firms (SMEs) with limited resources, temporary hiring may be a financially advantageous option. Employing temporary workers enables businesses to effectively control labour expenses by only paying for the personnel they require.
Additionally, compared to permanent employees, temporary workers have lower overhead costs for things like training, long-term employment commitments, and continuing benefits.
Because temporary workers may fill vacancies fast without requiring drawn-out hiring procedures, they can also help businesses save money on recruitment expenses. In New Zealand, a staffing company like the Success Group specialise in finding qualified applicants for temporary positions, expediting the hiring process, and cutting down on the amount of time it takes to onboard new employees.
3. Access to a Larger Talent Pool
Employers in New Zealand have access to a larger talent pool through temporary work. Temporary positions attract a lot of highly qualified people since they provide special chances for networking, professional advancement, and a variety of work experiences. Temporary jobs, for instance, may be attractive to those who have just arrived in New Zealand or who want to get experience in a new field since they provide more flexibility and exposure to other industries.
It can also be a great choice for people who want to go back into the workforce after a hiatus, including parents, retirees, or people looking to change careers. These employees enhance the general strength and inventiveness of New Zealand’s workforce by contributing a variety of viewpoints and useful talents.
4. Work-Life Balance and Flexibility for Employees
Employees may benefit greatly from temporary employment in terms of work-life balance. The flexibility offered by temporary work is one of its most alluring aspects in New Zealand. Temporary employees frequently get to pick their own working hours or choose part-time positions, which is particularly advantageous for people with personal obligations like parents, students, or people who have other interests outside of work.
For instance, a parent may work part-time while their children are in school, or a student may take on temporary employment during the summer. Temporary jobs are a fantastic method for people to fit work around their personal lives and yet make money in New Zealand, where work-life balance is highly prized.
5. Potential for Permanent Employment
Many workers in New Zealand can convert their temporary jobs into permanent careers, even though temporary employment is inherently short-term. When a permanent position opens, businesses may offer a temporary worker a full-time position if they demonstrate their dependability and skill. This gives job seekers a great chance to show off their skills and land a long-term position without having to make the first commitment.
Temporary workers may occasionally be employed to cover for permanent employees who are on long-term sick leave or maternity leave, with the intention of remaining on the job once the permanent employee returns. This gives job seekers a rare chance to go into a permanent position with no risk or uncertainty.
6. Boost to the Economy
On a larger scale, temporary work ensures that companies can quickly adjust to changing conditions, especially in areas that are vulnerable to seasonal demand, which helps to invigorate the New Zealand economy. Temporary employment makes the workforce more robust and dynamic by providing employment possibilities for a wide variety of individuals. Additionally, it enables companies to maintain their competitiveness and agility in a global economy.
Temporary workers are crucial to sustaining business operations in areas of New Zealand that mostly depend on seasonal industries, like Queenstown for tourism or the Bay of Plenty for kiwifruit picking. Employers in these regions can maintain their growth and prosperity despite varying demand by using temporary workers.
