There is an acute shortage of skilled cabinet makers in New Zealand. The job appears on Immigration New Zealand's long-term skill shortage list, which means the Government is actively encouraging skilled cabinet makers from overseas to work here.
The number of people working as cabinet makers has fallen significantly since 1996.
Number of cabinet makers employed in New Zealand
(1996, 2001, 2006)| Census | Number of cabinet makers |
|---|
| 1996 | 4,287 |
| 2001 | 4,158 |
| 2006 | 3,576 |
| Source: Department of Labour, Jobs and Tertiary Education Indicator Tool. |
This shortage in cabinet makers is because:
- the workforce is ageing, with a growing number of cabinet makers reaching retirement age
- as older cabinet makers retire, there are fewer skilled tradespeople available to train new apprentices
- many cabinet makers take their skills overseas or move into higher-paying jobs, such as boat building or carpentry.
There has also been a decline in the industry. This has been caused by:
- more businesses importing cheaper wooden furniture from overseas
- more furniture in New Zealand being mass produced by machine.
However, there continues to be a demand for the restoration of older, more valuable pieces and a steady specialised market for high quality custom-made wooden furniture. Greater employment opportunities exist at large-scale furniture manufacturers.
Limited number of cabinet maker apprenticeships available
Despite the shortage of cabinet makers, demand for apprentices in this area is fairly low. This is because most furniture manufacturing stores employ only a few cabinet makers and can afford to take on new apprentices only when the business expands or an employee leaves.
Cabinet makers work throughout New Zealand. However, most work in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin or Wellington, where demand is greatest because of population.
