Spring '09
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 21:48 — The Johnson Group
Welcome
We’re finally coming out of a long, hard winter, and there are also encouraging early signs that we may be coming out of the economic downturn.
There are some positive trends in the labour market, and the Government has launched new work programmes such as its youth employment and training initiative.
As John Whitehead, Secretary to the Treasury, said at a recent seminar, a high-performing public sector is essential to New Zealand’s future. The Government has sent a strong message that the public sector has to improve its efficiency and deliver the best possible value for money.
To run world-class institutions, government departments and agencies need world-class people. As the only recruitment firm specialising in public sector placement and advice, we’re committed to helping you get the right people on your team so you can meet the challenges ahead.
Leigh and Campbell
Porirua Project Wins Top Award
An innovative collaboration between Porirua City Council, police and community agencies has won a major public sector award.
The Safer Porirua project won the Prime Minister’s Award, the top accolade in this year’s IPANZ Gen-i Public Sector Excellence Awards.
The project is a collaboration to achieve World Health Organisation status as an international safe community, which Porirua achieved 2008. Porirua now has the lowest crime rates in the Wellington region, a reduced rate of serious and fatal road crashes, and an improved public perception of safety.
For more, go to www.ipanzawards.org.nz
Wellingtonians have Third-Highest Salaries
The average salary in Wellington is now $72,331, according to Trade Me.
Wellington had the third-highest average salary in the country, behind Auckland ($73,334) and the Grey District, on the West Coast ($81,451 - thanks to high-paid jobs in the energy sector).
Trade Me says job applications have almost doubled over the past six months. While the job market had been shrinking, most occupations have reported salary increases.
Attracting Talent from Oz
The number of New Zealanders returning home after living in Australia has hit a 20-year high.
The Johnson Group has noticed that there seem to be fewer opportunities in the Australian public sector. Campbell says Kiwis returning from other countries tend to have a greater depth of specialist experience, which can be very useful in the New Zealand public sector.
“They’re also likely to have useful international links, and may have experience working on social issues that have been recognised for a long time in other countries but are only just being recognised here,” says Campbell.
Putting People First
We’ve been disturbed to hear that a recent survey of 10,000 job hunters found that 16% of those questioned had a “poor” experience of recruiters – and just 5% rated the standard of care they were given as “excellent”.
At The Johnson Group, we believe the way we treat clients sets us apart. We’re committed to putting people first, and we recognise that every government department is unique. We also actively seek feedback and carry out regular surveys of our clients and candidates to ensure we remain the first choice for the public sector.
ACC Launches Alumni Programme
ACC has launched a successful alumni programme as part of its recruitment programme. The alumni programme enables ACC to keep in touch with former employees and with employees on extended leave. Departing staff are told about the programme during their exit interview, and those who join are sent a quarterly newsletter featuring new initiatives, success stories and career opportunities. The programme began in mid 2008, and has already attracted more than 100 members - two of whom have since rejoined ACC. "We're finding it a really good way of maintaining our connection with former employees," says Recruitment and Selection Manager Leanne Mallia.
For more, go to www.acc.co.nz
Green Shoots in Labour Market
Labour market conditions are showing a range of positive signs, according to the government’s last update.
The Department of Labour’s June labour market update found that the unemployment rate remains relatively low in historical terms, and is still well below the OECD average. New Zealand’s labour force participation rate was 68.4% - the same as at beginning of the recession.
Responding to the update’s findings, Campbell says, “It’s important to look beyond the negative media and see the positive things happening in the labour market.”
For more, go to www.dol.govt.nz
Setting Up a Watching Brief
We often forge relationships with highly specialised, experienced people who aren’t actively seeking a new job but ask us to let them know about any interesting roles that come up.
If you’d like to tap into our talent pool of these hard-to-reach candidates, we’re happy to set up a watching brief for your agency or department. We can immediately let you know if we’re approached by a candidate who might suit your needs.
More People Working Beyond Retirement
The number of people working over retirement age has more than tripled in the past decade.
Statistics New Zealand figures show that the number of over-65s in paid employment jumped from 24,700 in 1998 to 77,600 last year. At The Johnson Group, we’ve found that clients value being able to tap into the knowledge and experience of older workers who have lived through previous economic downturns and developed the life skills to cope with them.
For more, go to www.stats.govt.nz
Recruitment Coach
I’ve recently had a couple of former contractors apply for roles that seem to be below their skill and experience levels. Would they be good appointments?
-Jackson, Lower Hutt
“We’ve noticed that more contractors are being appointed to permanent roles,” says Campbell.
“Generally speaking, contractors have very high levels of skills and a recognised expertise in their area. Someone with this background may not stay in the kind of permanent role you’re referring to.
“We’re the preferred agency for hundreds of high-quality public sector contractors, and we’ve found that career contractors really put in the effort because they know their reputation is on the line. If financial constraints prompt you to appoint someone to a permanent role rather than hiring a contractor, the danger is that the job may not be done to the required standard.”
And finally...
We understand that the Government currently has fiscal restraints around employment. We're in touch with professionals in both the permanent and contracting space, who are committed to the public sector and have the skills and experience necessary to deliver major projects across all levels of government.
If you'd like to talk to us further about your staffing requirements, please contact us on 04 473 6699 or email us at info@thejohnsongroup.co.nz.
Wishing you all the best,
Leigh and Campbell