NZ is training plumbers slower than the industry is growing.

New Zealand’s plumbing industry continues to face a serious skills shortage.

Current industry data shows:

• Around 9,300 registered plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers nationwide
• Plumbing service jobs have grown approximately 4.2% annually since 2021
• Training programmes are producing only around 100 certified plumbers per year
• Industry groups estimate NZ requires at least 200–300 additional overseas plumbers annually to meet demand

Before COVID, around 200 plumbers per year were granted work visas to New Zealand. Border closures created a major gap in workforce supply, and many employers are still feeling the impact today.

For plumbing businesses, this means:

• difficulty finding experienced staff

• pressure on existing teams

• project delays

• increased overtime and burnout risks

International recruitment is becoming an important solution for many employers, especially for commercial and infrastructure work.

I work with experienced overseas tradespeople and help New Zealand employers through the recruitment and immigration process step by step.

This week was discussed:
• current plumbing workforce trends
• visa pathways
• overseas candidate availability
• and practical overseas hiring strategies for employers

Watch the short version of our Wednesday FB Live here: