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Steve Levet
A new agreement reached by Rural Contractors New Zealand (RCNZ) will make it easier for contractors to employ overseas workers.
The agreement between RCNZ and Immigration NZ is the first of its kind and means RCNZ members can employ overseas workers under an umbrella agreement with less stringent conditions.
However, association president and Wellsford contractor, Steve Levet, says more work is needed to up-skill New Zealand workers.
He says employing overseas staff is a necessity for many contractors due to a lack of skilled workers in rural areas.
“It’s something we’ve been battling with for a number of years,” he says. “It’s been a major issue for us, and the new agreement is going to make the process cheaper and less stressful.”
There is a particular shortage in experienced tractor drivers, he says.
Baleage and silage contractor Borck Contracting has employed overseas staff in the past and business owner Clare Borck welcomes the changes.
“We have over $3 million worth of machinery,” Mrs Borck says. “You can’t just employ someone straight out of school. They need experience and training.”
Because the work is seasonal, the company doesn’t employ long-term staff and many of the NZ workers head overseas to work the silage season in the northern hemisphere.
Before the agreement, the company was unable to employ an overseas worker for more than one season, but now workers will be able to return every year, she says.
“It makes things a lot easier for us.”
Mr Levet says he is also considering employing overseas workers in his contracting business.
“I haven’t up until now because of the hurdles, but it’s something I’ll look into.”
However, he says the policy doesn’t tackle the heart of the issue.
“Our education system needs to step up and encourage young people into the industry so there is a steady flow of skilled workers coming through. The rural sector has been sold short. We have to change the mindset that the rural sector is for dummies.”
The new scheme will see RCNZ applying for an Approval in Principle (AIP) on behalf of all its members.
Contractors will then be able to apply online for a visa for the person being recruited without having to advertise the job locally, go to WINZ or complete other requirements.
The AIP is only available to members of RCNZ and the contractor or company must also hold a Registered Contractor accreditation.
Mr Levet says the agreement will result in a major increase in membership .
“We estimate there are 300 contractors employing overseas staff so we expect a huge up-take.”
