How to benefit from skill shortages in New Zealand

How can professionals benefit from skills shortages?

Professionals in New Zealand can capitalise on ongoing skills shortages by leveraging experience, insight and know-how to address key deficits in the market. According to the Hays Salary Guide FY26/27, 82% of organisations report skills shortages, creating opportunities for skilled professionals across a range of industries. Those that pull ahead will be:

Developing in-demand and future-focused skills
Making their capabilities visible to employers
Pursuing targeted upskilling opportunities
Using labour market data to guide career decisions

Despite an overwhelming number of organisations reporting skills shortages across multiple industries, 57% of employees feel confident their skills are current, highlighting a growing disconnect between perceived capability and actual market demand. What was once a short-term hiring challenge is now a structural issue, driven by an ageing workforce, evolving technology, and skills development lagging behind industry needs.

This creates a clear opportunity: with four in five organisations struggling to find the right talent, those who understand where gaps exist can position themselves strategically and accelerate their career growth.

Why is there a disconnect on skills shortages?

The Hays Salary Guide FY26/27 reveals a clear mismatch between employer and employee perceptions of skills shortages and development opportunities in New Zealand. Consider these two starkly different perspectives on upskilling in the workplace.

46% of employers say they offer in-house training, but only 32% of employees agree
Just 5% of employers report no upskilling support, yet 19% of employees say support doesn’t exist

The data points to a gap in communication. While many organisations believe development opportunities exist, employees often don't see or understand how to access them. This creates an opportunity to take ownership of development conversations rather than waiting for opportunities to be presented.

How can you use skills shortages to advance your career?

1. Which skills and industries are most in demand?

Demand remains strong across New Zealand for:

Engineering professionals
Trades and technical workers
Healthcare professionals
Project managers
Data analysts
Software developers
Professionals with AI capability

If you work in or adjacent to these areas, you are in a strong position to leverage market demand. If not, understanding how skills shortages are impacting your sector can help you identify adjacent opportunities or future-proof your career.

Using resources like the Hays Salary Guide FY26/27 can provide location-specific insights into how skills are valued across industries in New Zealand.

2. How can you demonstrate your value to employers?

In a tight talent market, visibility is key. The professionals who benefit most clearly demonstrate their skills through real examples, aligning their capabilities with business needs and engaging in direct conversations with employers about development.

It’s also worth remembering that organisations are responding to skills shortages in different ways:

42% are upskilling existing employees
33% are hiring externally
10% are reskilling workers into new roles
15% have no formal strategy

Understanding these approaches helps you position yourself effectively, whether internally or when exploring new opportunities.

3.How can you take control of your skill development?

New Zealand professionals are increasingly seeking practical, career-focused development. Roughly 50% want funded external training, while 33% want clearly defined career pathways. Rather than waiting for structured programs, take initiative.

Get the ball rolling by requesting tailored development opportunities, seeking funding for external courses or certifications, and identifying skills gaps aligned to market demand. Proactive upskilling not only increases your value but also helps you determine whether your current employer can support your long-term career goals.

4. Should you change jobs during a skills shortage?

The New Zealand job market remains highly mobile, with over 70% of employees having been in their role for less than four years, and 36% currently seeking a new role. While skills shortages can create opportunities for quick salary increases, the most valuable career moves are those that build long-term capability, expand your skill set, and strengthen your future employability.

Taking a strategic, data-led approach using insights from the Hays Salary Guide can help ensure your next move supports sustainable career growth.

5. Why are AI skills becoming more valuable?

AI capability is rapidly emerging as a key differentiator in New Zealand’s job market. As organisations adopt AI tools, demand for AI-literate professionals is increasing; new roles are emerging faster than talent supply, and there are no universal standards for measuring capability. This creates a significant opportunity for professionals to stand out by:

Demonstrating practical AI application
Building a portfolio of real-world examples
Combining technical skills with adaptability and critical thinking

According to the Hays Salary Guide FY26/27, the most in-demand skills in New Zealand include:

Engineering and infrastructure expertise
Skilled trades and technical capabilities
Healthcare and clinical roles
Project and program management
Data analysis and insights
Software development and digital skills
AI and emerging technology capability

Skills shortages in New Zealand are a defining feature of the labour market, not a flash in the pan. For professionals, this creates a window of opportunity. Those who will benefit most are those who understand where demand is increasing, continuously build relevant skills, and communicate their value clearly.

Rather than seeing skills shortages as a constraint, the most strategic professionals are using them to accelerate career growth and future-proof their role. Download the Hays Salary Guide FY26/27 for a deeper look at how skills shortages are affecting the job market now.