Opportunities for sheet metal engineers are good, with the number of workers growing by 28% between 2001 and 2006.
Shortage of sheet metal engineers
Although the number of sheet metal engineers is growing, it is not keeping up with demand. According to the Department of Labour’s job vacancy monitor, sheet metal workers were in extreme shortage in 2007, with only 29% of job vacancies filled
that year.
Sheet metal trades worker also appears on Immigration New Zealand's immediate skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled sheet metal engineers from overseas to work in New Zealand.
The shortage is because not enough people trained as sheet metal engineers during the late 1990s and early 2000s. During this time, more sheet metal engineers retired than were trained, and many other sheet metal engineers moved overseas for higher pay. These factors both contributed to the number of sheet metal engineers falling in the years between 1996 and 2001.
Recession likely to mean less demand for sheet metal engineers
The current economic downturn is likely to ease the shortage of sheet metal engineers. Most sheet metal engineers work in manufacturing or construction, and both of these industries have been shrinking. Manufacturing sales were down 2.8% and the value of construction work fell 1.2% between July and September 2008. However, opportunities for sheet metal engineers are still expected to remain reasonably good.
Number of sheet metal engineers in New Zealand
(1996, 2001, 2006)| Census | Number of sheet metal engineers |
|---|
| 1996 | 3,978 |
| 2001 | 3,111 |
| 2006 | 3,981 |
| Source: Department of Labour, Jobs and Tertiary Education Indicator Tool. |
Sheet metal engineers work throughout New Zealand. However, the highest number of workers are based in Auckland, where a significant amount of manufacturing takes place.
Main regions of employment for sheet metal production manufacturing workers in New Zealand (2007)| Region | Percentage of sheet metal production manufacturing workers |
|---|
| Auckland | 38% |
| Canterbury | 17% |
| Waikato | 7% |
| Wellington | 6% |
| Manawatu-Wanganui | 6% |
| Source: Department of Labour, Regional Industry Tool. |
