Tertiary lecturer shortage due to a range of factors
The shortage of tertiary lecturers is due to:
- an ageing workforce, with many lecturers retiring
- academics moving between universities, including overseas establishments, for career progression
- highly qualified candidates taking up roles as scientists, technologists and researchers in the private sector in New Zealand and overseas
- too few candidates with higher tertiary qualifications
- growing demand by industry for people with tertiary qualifications.
University lecturer and post-doctoral fellow appear on Immigration New Zealand's regional skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled tertiary lecturers from overseas to work in New Zealand.
According to the Census, 14,283 tertiary lecturers and tutors worked in New Zealand in 2018.
Opportunities for lecturers with published research
A major focus of lecturers is publishing research, particularly research that has commercial value. This focus has increased demand for senior academic staff with a proven research record.
More part-time and casual roles
Lecturers are increasingly being employed in part-time and casual teaching and research positions because of the high cost of hiring permanent senior lecturers. Part-time and casual staff meet the demand for teaching academic courses, completing research projects on time and filling staffing gaps.
Lecturers of applied subjects in demand
The strongest demand for tertiary lecturers is in applied fields such as health, sciences, physical and social sciences, environmental studies and engineering.
Types of employers varied
Tertiary lecturers may work for education institutions such as:
- universities
- Te Pūkenga
- wānanga
- private tertiary providers.
