Summary

Findings

This report provides baseline information about demand for advanced trade, technical and professional qualifications in 2006/2007 and will inform monitoring of the Tertiary Education Strategy.

A number of factors are driving the increased demand for advanced skills in the workplace, from innovation through to the aging population.  More people gaining advanced trade, technical and professional qualifications is one part of the solution to ongoing skill shortages.

This report confirms that the increased supply of employees with advanced qualifications is almost keeping up with increased demand – but there are some significant and persistent gaps in professional, technical and trade occupations

The report identifies the broad areas of study where there is unmet demand for advanced qualifications as including information technology, engineering, building and health.  Shortages in these areas are compounded by shortages of technology, science and mathematics teachers in secondary schools.

These gaps are being addressed through the Tertiary Education Strategy and investment plans, as well as increased support for training and skill development. Initiatives are underway to increase teacher supply in the area highlighted in this report.

The government has highlighted the need for New Zealand to increase its skill base. In January 2008, the New Zealand Skills Strategy and a partnership between government, the NZCTU, Business New Zealand, and the Industry Training Federation were announced. On 29 April 2008, the Skills Strategy discussion document was released. The discussion document emphasises the range of areas to be addressed from increasing basic literacy and numeracy, through to qualifications and on to how businesses get the best from their staff.

The Ministry will undertake further work to identify more specifically the advanced qualifications where increased completion could help address persistent unmet demand.