employment

Australia looks to Pacific to fill staff gaps

The federal government has expanded the Pacific Australian Labour Mobility Scheme to include aged care, hospitality and tourism industries in a bid to address workforce shortfalls.

A Committee for Economic Development of Australia report says the country needs to find an extra 35,000 aged care workers per year.

In Western Australia's south, six Fijian aged care workers have filled some of the vacant, much-needed positions caring for the elderly.

The workers were the first to arrive under the expanded PALM scheme.

Employment prospects for Pasifika worsened during pandemic- study

New research from Auckland University of Technology's NZ Work Research Institute (NZWRI), showed the disparities were worse in particular for Pasifika women, those under 30 and people living in Auckland.

For example, pre-Covid-19 - for young (under 30 years of age) unemployed Pasifika women living in Auckland - there was no difference in their likelihood of moving into employment when compared to NZ European women.

But during Covid-19, there was a 5.5 percentage point drop in their likelihood of getting a job compared to NZ European women.

Samoa Shipping discusses work opportunities overseas for female sailors

SSS General Manager Lautimuia Afoa Uelese Vaai told Tala Fou the company received over 20 applications from women interested in working on foreign vessels.

Lautimuia said the applicants are currently working on inter-island ferries and are seeking job opportunities in foreign vessels.

He added that they are negotiating with Mediterranean Shipping Company to allow female sailors from Samoa to work on their cruise liners.

Lautimuia is also in discussions with New Zealand inter-island ferry companies.

'Bleak picture' for Pacific workers and employers, says International Labour Organisation

Tens of thousands of Pacific workers have already either lost their jobs or were on reduced hours.

Elena Gerasimova, from the ILO's Pacific office, said the organisation received requests for support from workers, employers and small to medium businesses.

"There are lots of complications, problems and challenges for workers, employers and governments because there is a serious, very serious impact of the Covid-19 on their employment and on economies.

"Lots of companies are closed while many companies may become bankrupt and people are losing their jobs."

NZ RSE scheme boosting employment in the regions

Business expansion has boosted employment in regional areas, with RSE employers hiring more New Zealanders from the local community, including through Work and Income NZ.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) Pacifica Labour and Skills Manager, George Rarere says the 2019 survey highlights the positive impact of RSE workers on businesses and the local community.

“A stable seasonal workforce has meant more employers have been able to grow their business operations and put more investment into plant equipment and offer job opportunities to locals,” Mr Rarere says.

Samoan sailors warned to avoid drunken behaviour

During a farewell ceremony the acting Prime Minister, Papalii Niko Lee Hang said this is the main challenge faced by several local seamen now working overseas.

Papalii said that the government's zero tolerance on alcohol consumption remained and if the new group of seamen misbehaved they would be deported and would no longer be considered for service on foreign ships.

Sixteen of the new sailors will work on cargo ships while 43 will be on cruise ships.

Samoa has received over $US6 million dollars annually in remittances from sailors and fishermen working overseas.

American company contracted for Samoan submarine cable

Talamua reports the contract with TE Subcom means they will now need to build a warehouse at Matautu wharf to house the undersea communication system to service the region.

A submarine maintenance vessel will also be based there to maintain and service communication cables in the Pacific.

The Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Afamasaga Lepuiai Rico Tupa'i made the announcement this week saying Samoa competed with other companies for the contract.

The submarine warehouse will sell spare parts for undersea communication cables as well.

Finding skilled roles for Pacific graduates a priority for New Zealand’s MBIE

Senior Data Geologist (New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals) at MBIE Ian Dalla-Torre says the Geoscience Information team would commonly look for an intern to complete/assist with a specific piece of project work related to their geoscience information.

“Generally this would be a student from a New Zealand university however, in 2016 we received an inquiry regarding the possibility of hosting a PCF Summer Internship,” Ian explains.

Samoan cruise ship recruits urged to keep eye on the job

Samoa's Acting Prime Minister Papalii Niko Lee Hang was among those farewelling 39 new recruits who've been training at the Samoa Marine Training Institute.

He encouraged the sailors to work hard and to try and stay away from the distractions of the western world.

About 300 have so far been recruited into the burgeoning cruise ship industry and some have been sent home in the past.

     

T-levels: What are they?

Chancellor Philip Hammond has set out plans for them in the Budget.

He says these type of qualifications have not always been on an equal footing with academic ones - and wants that to change.

T-levels will allow 16 to 19-year-olds to study in 15 sectors in subjects like hair and beauty or construction.

The courses will replace thousands that are currently on offer and it's claimed they will make access to the job market easier.

Students in further education or technical college will also be eligible for maintenance loans.