The Government has announced major changes to its immigration settings, expanding the Green List of professionals and granting registered nurses, midwives and all medical doctors straight to residency pathways. BusinessNZ has said it is positive to see the Government recognising the extreme skill shortages affecting businesses.
Civil construction supervisors, gasfitters, drain layers, skilled crane operators, skilled civil machine operators, halal slaughterers, skilled motor mechanics, skilled telecommunications technicians, all secondary school teachers and primary school teachers will be added to the Work to Residency Green List from March 2023.
"Pushing out accreditation will save an estimated $30 million in compliance costs next year for business. It is positive to see vocational level skills recognised for pathways to residency, with skill shortages across every region and skill level currently,” said Kirk Hope, BusinessNZ Chief Executive.
"Pathways to residency are a critical factor in making New Zealand an attractive place for international skills and talent, and give confidence that people who choose to come here can make a life in New Zealand.
"There are more jobs to be added to the list, but it is positive to see Government moving faster than the scheduled one-year review, as per BusinessNZ’s advocacy.
"We welcome further work on the immigration settings to ensure New Zealand can be competitive in the current global context and secure the international skills needed for business to operate at full capacity."
