What careers are in demand in New Zealand?

Nowadays, we are no longer expected to pick a career path when we leave school and stay in that career until the day we retire. We’re lucky that there is so much choice available – and many ways to go about doing what we want to do. 

Most of the time, the hard part of considering career options is narrowing down a large list of possibilities. One way to go about this is by looking at exactly what careers are currently in demand in New Zealand, or projected to grow in demand over the coming years. 

Some of the best paying jobs in New Zealand have entry pathways you wouldn’t expect, or the possibility to work your way up the ladder by gathering new certifications along the way. Let’s take a closer look at some courses that can provide a stepping-stone into the world of the best jobs in New Zealand.

1. Legal administration

Have you ever considered a career in law? Are you thinking about studying for a law degree but unsure if it’s the right thing for you? Then you’ll be glad to know that the legal sector is one of the best paying in New Zealand.

One way to become familiar with legal language, whilst supporting solicitors and barristers in their everyday work, is to become a legal assistant. In this fast-paced and varied role, you will be the eyes and ears of the lawyers you work with. 

A legal administrator provides right-hand support in the day-to-day running of the office as well as conducting research, correspondence and filing. It could be your first step on the way to becoming a paralegal, lawyer or even a General Counsel one day.

2. Project management & leadership

Does the thought of managing and supporting a team to see a project through to completion appeal to you? Project managers play an essential role in businesses, overseeing projects from initiation to completion, and supervising staff whilst enforcing deadlines, to ensure company goals and commitments can be met both effectively and efficiently. 

You’ll need to learn the basics of leadership like team building and communication skills to become an effective project manager. Furthering your knowledge with an introduction to systemic and lateral thinking will help you be successful in this competitive and exciting role. 

Project managers in the construction and IT sectors are in particularly high demand in New Zealand, making these industries highly attractive to anyone looking to step into this role.

3. Viticulture

Are you a real vino enthusiast? Have you ever dreamt of working in the wine-producing sector? If so, a career in viticulture may be for you! It may interest you to know that the volume of wine made from grapes in New Zealand has risen 4.9% to 94 million litres, with domestic sales rising 1% to 48.1 ml, both these stats going to show that activity in this industry continues to thrive.

So, in other words, it’s safe to say this sector is growing at an impressive rate. And the demand for people skilled in vine management, wine production and supporting roles is  only set to continue in line with this growth. 

Our course in viticulture teaches you everything about running a successful wine business, including management practises and the establishment of grapevines.

4. Agriculture and agribusiness

Agriculture is a major contributor to the New Zealand job economy, with the number of employees in this industry equating to 83.3 thousand, whilst the GDP of agriculture, forestry and fishing equalling 12.77 billion. Those are no small numbers, and the sheer amount of career opportunities in this sector reflect this volume of activity – with lots of roles to explore in this industry. 

Whether you’d prefer a farm-based role or to specialise in a sector like agricultural technology, you’ll be sure to find a role that appeals to your own interests and strengths. But the opportunities don’t stop at working hands within a farm setting; there are also opportunities in the private sector including agribusiness, private consultancies and laboratories and even further down the line with government agencies and departments!

If you’re unsure about what area of this industry appeals most to you, our range of Agriculture and Farming courses can help to showcase exactly what career path is for you.

5. Commercial and domestic cleaning business

With the constant demand for commercial and domestic cleaning, this lucrative industry is ideal for individuals who don’t mind getting their hands dirty and getting rewarded for their hard work. Whilst industrial and corporate cleaning can mean making yourself available to work unsociable hours, often overnight, the positive side is that working unsociable hours can be reflected in higher pay. 

In contrast, if it’s a more family-friendly approach to work-life that you’re after, domestic cleaning is a fantastic option. A course of study in commercial & domestic cleaning is ideal, helping to set you up by equipping you with essential knowledge such as the types of stains and furnishings you’ll encounter, while also teaching you the fundamentals involved with being a contractor and running a cleaning business. Essential skills in marketing and budgeting will also ensure you can hit the ground running!

6. Dog Grooming, Training and Obedience

If you’ve ever considered working with man’s best friend, a certificate in Canine Care and Training could be for you. Pet ownership rose substantially over lockdown, with more and more companies offering work from home options making pet adoption more viable for many families across New Zealand. The result of this is a booming pet care industry and high demand for dog trainers and groomers. 

Helping you understand and communicate with our four legged friends, this course is for anyone who would like to further their knowledge of canine care, classification, development, and psychology, alongside proper grooming by brushing and bathing. This course can also set you up for a future career in rescue, rehabilitation and training, helping you to master the fundamentals so you can choose to specialise down the line.

7. Construction Business Admin & Bookkeeping

Construction is a huge industry in New Zealand. And with the demand for employees who are able to look after the construction business administration and bookkeeping side of things rising steadily, if you understand construction language and principles you will be head and shoulders above the rest of the competition. 

Building a basic knowledge of carpentry, electrical and plumbing terminology means you’ll be better positioned to dive into daily work and make more of an impact in your job from the get-go. Another great thing about employment in this sector is that demand for construction workers isn’t location specific – you could work for a small or large company all across New Zealand, even those that are more off the beaten track!

8. Life Coaching & Health and Wellbeing

The life coaching industry has exploded in recent years, and this has only been accelerated by the pandemic, a time where people slowed down to become a lot more health and wellbeing focused. If you’re someone who enjoys working with others, in particular helping them to reach a specific outcome, then life coaching could be a great career choice for you. 

Those who work as life coaches typically focus on supporting their client with things like proper nutrition and exercise, as well as maintaining healthy psychological wellbeing, helping them to take steps towards achieving their personal or professional goals and to experience overall life fulfilment. By completing a course in Life Coaching and developing these skills, you can begin your very own coaching business to work one-on-one with clients, or alternatively you can seek to utilise these transferable skills by pursuing a role within a gym setting.

So there you have it – the best jobs in New Zealand! 

There are numerous careers in demand in New Zealand today, and you can be sure there’s a course to fit every interest. If you’ve been on the fence about taking this next step in your career journey, why not speak to one of our consultants to learn more? 

Online learning offers flexibility and self paced study that can be adapted to your circumstances. Don’t hesitate any longer – we have a course that’s right for you!