Change has come – are employers ready?

For me, the difference between our grandparents’ generation and today’s superannuitants is stark. Just look at the energetic and mobile plus-65 year-olds biking around (or e-biking), mucking in with the grandkids or their own - there's plenty of energy that comes with age.

Which is rather handy when you consider that nearly half of 65-69-year-olds are in the labour market, according to Treasury; for 70-74-year olds, it’s 27%. Their tonne of experience is being shared and that needs to be celebrated, and in our world it is!

Last week we talked about the challenge of the massive exodus of young Kiwis overseas ?and the problems that poses for employers.??This week we want business leaders to think about the demographic changes shaping our workforce, how this will impact your organisation and practical steps you may want to consider.

The demographic shifts shaping our workforce, are significant (the ageing population and the costs that imposes, our declining birthrate and the immigration enriching our country) and Professor Spoonley urges us to understand how they will impact our workforce.?

In four years, one in five people will be aged over 65; by 2050 it will be one in four. Seen within the context of the growing population of Kiwis living overseas? (close to 1.5 million Kiwis live abroad and growing ??it naturally raises the question on how you attract talent in this environment???

But, it’s not just the numbers of people. Workplace ethnicity is changing rapidly.?The 2023 census shows us that we’re already close to having one in five workers identify as Maori, and the same Asian. Pasifika is increasing its presence and it’s worth noting one in four Māori also self-identify as a Pacific person.? Are employers ready for this increasingly diverse and culturally rich workforce and do they need to rethink employee culture in order to attract talent as these demographic shifts progress?

By the 2040’s, three-quarters of the population will live in the top half of the North Island, with 40% in Auckland and a corresponding hollowing out of the regions and towns further south.???

Given much of our economic growth is driven by primary exports and food and fibre, what will the story be for employers in these regions? This is a serious question for Government, Councils and employers, these regions (as Kiwis call them, offer a great way of life, and increasingly employment)

We’d would suggest that as our northern cities become increasingly congested, the regions will offer a striking and attractive alternative. But employers in the regions need to be planning now for how they are going to attract talent from the cities and overseas in order to drive their business growth.?We see a real trend and opportunity here as New Zealanders continue to weigh up cost of living choices and future decisions around lifestyle and value for income.

So as an employer, how is your recruitment and attraction strategy reflecting today’s needs while preparing for tomorrow’s diverse and aging work force??

1.???? ?How are you looking to attract across different geographies, how diverse is your channel approach, and how targeted is your value proposition by skill set or location? When was the last time you looked at your story and offer as employer?

2.???? ?Have you reviewed how work is done? ?Is there flexibility to review job scope/ size to appeal to non-traditional job seekers???How do you appeal to them?

3.???? ?Are you reviewing the skills and experience required to complete roles? Is there room to rethink what a ‘good candidate’ looks like? For example, do you genuinely need a degree and 5 years' experience for a role?

4.???? ?When was the last time you reviewed your recruitment process or employer brand strategy? Is it based on who you have currently or who you’ll need in the future??

At HainesAttract we’re having some fantastic conversations with future-focused employers in this space, we’d welcome the chance to talk to you?about your needs in the short-medium-and-long term.?

Enjoy the long weekend ahead (in New Zealand) Jump on your bike (E-Bike) even?

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