Skills Matching Services for Migrants Who Lost Jobs

Immigration New Zealand has extended its newcomer skills matching and job search assistance services programme to prioritise assisting skilled migrants who have lost jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Usually newcomer skills matching services are focused on skilled migrants and their partners with residence visas. Now the services are also available for those on work to residence visas who have lost a job and need an equivalent job to help them retain their pathway to residence.

Six agencies provide the newcomer skills matching services programme throughout the country and match skilled migrants and their partners with employers who need their skills.

The six agencies and their services include:

Southland Regional Development agency | operating as Great South

Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce | SkillsConnect Canterbury

Wellington Chamber of Commerce | Skilled Newcomers Programme

Hamilton Multicultural Services | Migrant Employment Solutions

CNSST Foundation | Enterprise and Employment Services

Auckland Business Chamber | New Kiwis Career Success

The Migrant Employment Solutions based in Hamilton is a free face to face employment service to help migrants to prepare for the New Zealand job market. Their service is tailored to help the migrants to find a job that suits their skills, experience and qualifications.

Their service is for visa holders who have :

• NZ Residency or
• Full and open work visa
• Post-study work visa
• Skilled migrant and you or your partner’s employment has been affected by Covid-19

They offer:

• CV and cover letter advice for the current job market
• Transferring your skills into the NZ workforce
• Interview preparation
• Career information
• Support into work
• Workshops and network support

Their contact details are,