New Zealand seeks to recruit 1,000 Irish truck drivers

[kscarbel2]

The Irish Times  /  September 27, 2017

Irish long distance drivers are being invited to travel a very long distance to get work. New Zealand is looking to recruit up to 1,000 truck drivers from overseas as it cannot fill the vacancies internally.

It takes three years to qualify as a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driver in New Zealand and many young Kiwis are not attracted to the job.

Recruitment firm Canstaff is offering a new relocation package to overseas heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers from Ireland to fill the skills shortage. In some cases haulage companies will pay the cost of flights to New Zealand.

Irish truck drivers can earn between €15 and €20 an hour in New Zealand. In Ireland the rate is closer to €12 an hour, according to Canstaff managing director Matt Jones.

Mr Jones said he had spent a lot of time in Ireland in 2011 and 2012 recruiting construction workers to rebuild Christchurch which had been badly damaged in an earthquake.

“When I was there recruiting in 2011 and 2012 there was no jobs in Ireland. Clearly the economy has improved. This is about coming to have an experience of New Zealand. You are going to make more money than a truck driver in Ireland.

“Ideally it would be single fellows rather than those who want to relocate with their families. The biggest thing in New Zealand is finding your way around. Google maps is only so good and it’s not always right.”

The average reported salary for a New Zealand truck driver last year was NZ$51,200 (€31,000), but wages have gone up by 20 per cent to attract the right candidates.

“We realised how dire the shortage was when we could physically see the number of trucks parked up and out of use due to the lack of drivers,” Mr Jones added.

“Despite Government initiatives to attract more heavy vehicle drivers, the shortage has been ongoing and a more immediate solution is needed to keep New Zealand’s wheels of commerce turning.”

He said Irish drivers would be attracted by the “relaxed Kiwi lifestyle”, guaranteed shifts and “top dollar wages”.

Applicants are required to have a class five licence or equivalent to operate a heavy combination truck and trailer unit up to 25,000 kgs GCW, two years experience, and be eligible for a visa.

Canstaff is also bringing 70 New Zealand dairy workers to Ireland to work on Irish farms. In June next year 70 Irish dairy workers will work in New Zealand.

[kscarbel2]

Irish truck drivers encouraged to keep on trucking ... to New Zealand

Wednesday, September 27, 2017 - 10:19 pm

With an estimated shortage of more than 1000 truck drivers in New Zealand a new relocation package has been developed to attract heavy vehicle drivers from Ireland.

The package will see processing costs for successful applicants and their families waived and further relocation assistance provided in a bid to attract drivers to the country.

The Managing Director of Canstaff, Matt Jones, operates a number of globally recognised recruitment companies and working with immigration services identified that recruiting overseas drivers was the only way to fill the shortage gap.

“We realised how dire the shortage was when we could physically see the number of trucks parked up and out of use due to the lack of drivers. Despite Government initiatives to attract more heavy vehicle drivers, the shortage has been ongoing and a more immediate solution is needed to keep New Zealand’s wheels of commerce turning.”

With the average age of a truck driver being 57 years of age the situation has reached a critical stage with employers turning to global recruitment companies like Canstaff to source overseas candidates.

Although the driver shortage is an ongoing struggle for employers, it has opened up some impressive incentives for international candidates, says Jones.

“The incentive here for overseas drivers is not only the relaxed Kiwi lifestyle, we can also offer top dollar wages and guaranteed shifts with more available if required. Salaries have increased 20% in recent efforts to attract more people into the industry and we are confident that our relocation package surpasses any other currently on offer.”

Applicants are required to have a class five licence or equivalent to operate a heavy combination truck and trailer unit up to 25,000 kgs GCW, two years experience, and be eligible for a visa.

Canstaff will assist with, and submit all necessary paperwork to get successful applicants’ journey to New Zealand underway and add-ons to the relocation packages are available to some candidates.

“We basically take all of the stress out the move and arrange everything for our applicants. All they need to do is apply and our specialist staff will guide them every step of the way,” explained Jones.

For more information on relocating to New Zealand visit canstaff.co.nz or email jobs@canstaff.co.nz.

[mrsmackpaul]

Well something for me to do maybe since Im no longer farming 
Not a long plane ride either

Paul