The ongoing exodus of highly skilled people leaving New Zealand poses significant challenges for businesses. Skill shortages are not easing in fact they are on the rise in the Insurance, Travel and Legal markets we recruit for. Skill shortages lead to head hunting from competitors which over time leads to higher salaries as the talent pool shrinks.
The media informs us that the Brain Gain offsets any Brain Drain loss and that New Zealand is a destination of choice for highly skilled professionals. I question this. I do not see this across the business sectors we recruit for. Yes, there are small gains but not the big ones we need.
Migration is part of the world we live in. People travel for OE and better opportunities. That will never change. What must change is how to retain and also attract our most valuable resource – experienced highly skilled people who add immeasurably to our economy. What needs to be done to stem their departures? What needs to be done to attract highly skilled people to New Zealand. I put the emphasis on highly skilled people. There is competition for skills. Australia competes aggressively with us in this space. The exodus to Australia must be a concern. Out brightest and best are departing in droves. I ask where are all the highly skilled people that are replacing them?
Brain Drain will not change. Brain Gain done right depends very much on the foresight of the decision makers.
