Community Services & Development was among the fastest-growing industries on SEEK with a 41.3% increase in job opportunities. The industry recorded more than 1,400 new roles year-on-year and the average advertised salary was $64,341.
A look across the country:
SEEK data shows positive growth in job opportunities across all regions, except Tasman which saw a slight decline. The biggest growth was recorded in Auckland (12.7%), Wellington (6.8%) and Canterbury (6.6%).
.jpg)
The roles driving job growth:
The roles with the most significant growth were in Child Welfare, Youth & Family Support, which recorded 16.7% growth. This was followed by Aged & Disability Support (8.7%) and Housing & Homelessness Services (5.8%).
Acute homelessness and child welfare issues in New Zealand are largely driving this growth, says Philippa Howden-Chapman Professor of Public Health at the University of Otago, Wellington.
Howden-Chapman, co-author of the government-commissioned Stocktake of New Zealand’s Housing report 2018 says the previous government became concerned about both homelessness and the condition of housing in New Zealand and assigned significant funding to the sector.
The formation of Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children in 2017, which took over from Child Youth & Family (CYF), has resulted in a significant expansion of jobs in Child Welfare, Youth & Family Services.
“There is a real priority of this (new) government to reduce child poverty,” says Howden-Chapman.
Aged & Disability Support also recorded significant growth, with roles growing 26.3% year-on-year.
John Ryall, Assistant National Secretary of the E tū union, which represents Aged & Disability Support workers says much of the growth in job opportunities is driven by rapidly increasing in-home support packages, changes to the government’s immigration policies and improved pay rates following the government’s pay equity settlement.
Trending roles in Community Services & Development:
Employment Services saw the largest growth in applications from job seekers with 124.2% more people applying for roles in the profession year-on-year. This was followed by Housing & Homelessness Services (69.4%) and Child Welfare, Youth & Family Support (24.2%)
If you’re passionate about making a difference and helping those in need, now might be a great time to explore the opportunities in this growing New Zealand sector.
Explore current job opportunities in Community Services & Development.
