Firstly, we need to understand the national employment market, and what trends are emerging. What has been obvious to all of us has been the impact of the global credit crunch and recession. The Department of Labour indexes national job vacancies, and the graph below highlights the impact the recession has had on job vacancies (sharply declining from a high in April 2007). Since August 2009 we have started to see improving job vacancy volumes at a national level (positive signs).

There has been a 5% nationwide increase in skilled job advertising in the last quarter of 2009⁽¹⁾, with this trend continuing into the first quarter of 2010. Overall business confidence has stabilised nationwide, with a net 23% of companies expecting improvement in the next 6 months⁽²⁾. National commentators are certainly not expecting a boom 2010 year (the NZ economy is tipped to grow by around 1.8% this year⁽³⁾). Rather it will be a year of cautious optimism and controlled growth over the low points seen prior.

One of the more basic but effective measures in reviewing local employment demand can be drawn by analysing SEEK volumes, as it remains a key NZ job portal for those organisations looking to actively recruit new staff.

In reviewing 2008 & 2009 side-by-side we see Hawke’s Bay job volumes have been down roughly 25% from February through to October on prior year. This is a lot lower than the national median reported by SEEK, Trade Me Jobs & APN – all at approximately a 50% drop in advertising volumes from November 2008 through until August 2009, when all have reported recovery (at varying levels). So, Hawke’s Bay has in part been sheltered from the full force of the global recession (reinforced by anecdotal conversations with many businesses & locals in Hawke’s Bay) – again positive news.

So what can we expect to see for 2010 in Hawke’s Bay employment market? Whilst we all wish we had a crystal ball for this year (and beyond), here are some of our thoughts:

• Both active and “below the radar” employment activities are on the rise. People with good experience and relevant skills remain sought after, especially in the Health, Sciences, Engineering, ICT, Accounting, Media & Advertising, and Infrastructure sectors. We also see more activity in the Finance & Banking sectors after a quiet 2009.
• High calibre jobseekers continue to be drawn to the Hawke’s Bay. Many are ex-pats returning from off-shore (which have helped boost the property market), as well as those in the larger centres seeking the lifestyle opportunity afforded to us locally.
• Many actively advertised roles in 2009 were back-fill or contract cover opportunities. In 2010 we are likely to see more newly created positions, as businesses seek to return to growth mode.
• Employers remain focused on skills & cultural fit, with industry experience and a proven track record continuing to be emphasised.
• Re-engaging demoralised and disengaged employees will be a factor for many organisations. With more opportunities becoming available in the employment market there will be an emphasis on retaining good staff. Recent workplace surveys have shown that between 42% – 60% of employees are looking to leave their existing employer given the right opportunity⁽⁴⁾!
• The larger metropolitan recruitment markets are reporting recovery at a faster pace than we are (the bigger the drop the bigger the bounce). Auckland has seen a 30% increase in February over January. Hawke’s Bay has definitely gotten off to a slower start than other parts of New Zealand, but expect us to catch up!

In summary, the Hawke’s Bay job market remains in a stable & improving condition. This stability, matched with the outstanding lifestyle opportunity, see Hawke’s Bay remain as a highly desirable location for many.

Sources:

⁽¹⁾Department of Labour Jobs Online 2009/2010

⁽²⁾NZIER Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion

⁽³⁾Economic & Risk Outlook – Dun & Bradstreet

⁽⁴⁾Varous Job Portal and Company Surveys 2009

Events in the BB amphitheater are one of my favorite things to do in the Bay.  Sundays event was Ladi 6, Little Bushman and Fat Freddys Drop.  It was such a fun afternoon with plenty of crowd antics to watch as things heated up.

Ladi 6 warmed up the crowd nicely. No Seek no more though. Julien Dyne was on stage just playing keyboard.  Would have been great to have him do a few of his own tracks.

Little Bushman went off with a very progressive set.  They are such good musicians with DNA going back to Trinity Roots.  The Bushman set was my favorite session.

Fat Freddy’s drop were as polished as ever and the pit filled up quickly.

The concert was very relaxed and just easy to enjoy great New Zealand music with a bunch of friends. Lots of ‘we’re so lucky to live here’ going on.

The only sad thing in the weekend was the village pool closed for the winter. Taking the kids down after school has been another simple pleasure that is so easy in the Bay.

From Monday the magazine will be sent out to all local businesses and it’s also going to over 2000 property investors throughout New Zealand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbs-gBEgIrs

Hastings local Shelley Hanna is pushing her dislike of running to the limit, by taking part in the New Plymouth marathon on 6 March.  “I joined the local Multi Sport Club several years ago to keep fit and take part in their duathlons and triathlons,” she says.  “But my running is lousy.  I’m always at the back.”  After failing dismally to make time for regular running training, she decided to sign up for a marathon.  Training for the marathon has involved running at least 3 times a week for the past 6 months, up to 30km at a time.  And to keep her focussed, she has committed to raising $3700 for CanTeen along the way.  “We’re going to send one recovered CanTeen member to Outward Bound.  Cancer treatment is very debilitating and also shakes your confidence.  Taking part in an Outward Bound adventure will be an amazing opportunity for a special young person to regain their confidence.”

Shelley has raised $2284 to date and needs your help – however large or small – to reach her goal.  To read more about her challenge or to sponsor her go to:

http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/ShelleyHanna/

Full details are available here http://www.tremains.co.nz/index.php?pageid=80&cs=Y 

I look forward to seeing you there!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIFYPQjYhv8&feature=player_embedded

So many of you may question, how has HBDT become the first business in the Hawkes Bay to achieve carbon neutral ‘small enterprise’ certification?

Duncan Wallace, Managing Director, HBDT said:

“It may seem strange for a business that has grown and thrived on their customers’ use of devices that consume paper to be promoting a reduction in paper consumption. However, due to significant advancements in technology we can help our customers reduce their reliance on paper documents.”

HBDT has measured and managed (reduced) their carbon footprint and then offset their remaining unavoidable emissions by purchasing verified carbon credits from the TrustPower Tararua II PRE wind power project. They were also required to have an independent verification audit prior to certification.

Reducing and managing emissions is the most important step. HBDT established an emissions reduction plan that will help them reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the next year and beyond. Mr. Wallace says,

“We are targeting key areas such as, more effectively managing our freight, couriers, company vehicles and electricity. One idea that we are already looking into is the possibility of our technicians using scooters for inner city work rather than taking a car. This would reduce our fuel consumption and cost as well as reduce our carbon footprint”.

The carboNZero programme is the world’s first internationally accredited GHG certification programme. It provides tools and resources to help businesses measure, manage and mitigate their greenhouse gas emissions with credibility and integrity.

HBDT are the region’s exclusive supplier of Ricoh digital printing solutions and, having now completed carboNZero certification, Mr Wallace believes that businesses, education and government organisations within the region should readily reduce their environmental impact, which could include a reduction in paper consumption by as much as 15 percent or more.

Sustainability is about more than just looking after the planet. HBDT lead their industry in solutions designed to improve their client’s staff productivity and streamline communication of information which is as much about reducing GHG emissions as it is about making our organisations, businesses and economy more competitive and commercially sustainable.

At the recent opening of the Ricoh New Zealand’s Wellington technology centre, Prime Minister John Key highlighted the importance of how working smarter, in relation to technology, is essential for New Zealand to be competitive in the global economy. HBDT is focused on providing smarter technology to its customers in the Hawke’s Bay region.

Mr. Wallace added that local councils, tertiary organisation, schools and large businesses have an opportunity as well as a responsibility to lead the charge locally by progressing towards becoming carbon neutral.

In addition to the CarboNZero initiative, Mr Wallace said ‘Last year HBDT and Ricoh were thrilled to partner Havelock North Intermediate to supply, sell and plant 3,600 native trees as a school fundraising initiative. The project raised additional funds for the school and also successfully promoted environmental awareness within the community and educated the students about the importance of trees for the environment. Mr Wallace admits there is no silver bullet when it comes to environmental sustainability, but says ‘The Ricoh “Trees for School” programme is an excellent example of how businesses can make a positive contribution to the community and get the green message to a wide audience.It all helps’.

Napier Girls’ High School, Napier Intermediate, Havelock North High School and Havelock North Intermediate have also adopted sustainable business practices through the use of leading edge print management tools supplied by HBDT. These minimise paper consumption, improve staff and students access to their documents and establish convenient printing services. This is a great example of a leading-edge, sustainable, world class solution in use right here in Hawke’s Bay.

In achieving carboNZero certification, HBDT have set the standard for other businesses in the region by taking responsibility for measuring, reducing and offsetting their carbon footprint. The business now wants to help other local businesses and organisations achieve the same status as well as take advantage of the many tangible benefits – improved productivity and efficiency, reduced operating costs and less environmental impact.

For more information visit www.carbonzero.co.nz