Workforce demand profile

Critical skill shortages 

Demand within these sectors is very high. Jobs in these sectors make up a considerable number of all job openings in the Nelson Tasman region and demand is higher than the New Zealand average.   

  • Agriculture, forestry and fishing (Tasman in particular) 
  • Construction (Nelson in particular) 
  • Healthcare and social assistance (Nelson in particular) 
  • Manufacturing (Tasman in particular) 
  • Retail trade

High regional demand for skills

These sectors have ongoing projected demand for workers in Nelson and Tasman.   

  • Accommodation and food services 
  • Professional, scientific and technical services 
  • Education and training (Nelson in particular) 
  • Administration and support services (Tasman in particular) 
  • Transport, postal and warehousing (Nelson in particular)

Specific occupations in demand 

These occupations have ongoing current and projected demand for workers with relevant qualifications across the region. 

  • Construction workers/builders 
  • Personal care assistants (including Kaiāwhina health workers) 
  • Registered nurses 
  • Secondary school teachers

Source: Infometrics Industry Employment Projections for 2028


2028 forecast critical job shortages 

Demand expected to be higher than the national average

In 2028 jobs in these industries are expected to make up a considerable number of all job openings in the region and demand is expected to be higher than the national average:

Retail trade

  • Supermarket and grocery stores
  • Hardware and building supplies retailing
  • Car retailing
  • Department stores
  • Other store-based retailing         

Manufacturing

  • Seafood processing
  • Log sawmilling
  • Reconstituted wood product manufacturing
  • Wine and other alcoholic beverage manufacturing
  • Other machinery and equipment manufacturing       

Health care and social assistance

  • Hospitals (except psychiatric hospitals)
  • Aged care residential services
  • Other allied health services
  • Other health care services           

Construction

  • House construction
  • Electrical services
  • Non residential building construction
  • Road and bridge construction
  • Painting and decorating services    

Agriculture, forestry and fishing

  • Apple and pear growing
  • Logging
  • Vegetable growing (outdoors)
  • Dairy cattle farming
  • Other agriculture and fishing support services

Considerable number of job openings

In 2028 jobs in these industries are expected to make up a considerable number all job openings in the region:

Accommodation and food services

  • Cafes and restaurants
  • Accommodation
  • Takeaway food services
  • Pubs, taverns and bars

Professional, scientific and technical services

  • Management advice and other consulting services
  • Scientific research services
  • Legal services
  • Management advice and other consulting services
  • Engineering design and consulting services 

Education and training

  • Secondary education
  • Primary education
  • Higher education
  • Preschool education

Source: 2028 Infometrics forecasts for the Nelson Tasman Region, ANZSIC Level 1 and Level 4

Last updated: 28 July 2023