Shortage of electrical engineers
Opportunities for electrical engineers are good due to a shortage of workers, and high demand for their services.
Electrical engineer appears on Immigration New Zealand's long-term, and construction and infrastructure skill shortage lists. This means the government is actively encouraging skilled electrical engineers from overseas to work in New Zealand.
According to the Census, 3,576 electrical engineers worked in New Zealand in 2018.
Growing population creates demand for electrical engineers
New Zealand's growing population means demand for electrical engineers is expected to remain strong. They are needed to work on:
- new housing developments and substations
- upgrades of the the national grid – the high-voltage network that carries electricity around the country.
Types of employers varied
Electrical engineers often work for power supply companies.
They may also work for:
- regional lines companies, which carry electricity from the national grid to homes and businesses
- engineering consultancies
- engineering firms.
