The road transport and logistics industries
So what exactly are the road transport and logistics industries and what do they do?
Basically, the industries get goods and people moving. Workers like truck drivers, port workers and freight forwarders make it happen.
The industries run across sectors including road transport, passenger services, ports and warehousing and logistics.
But what do they actually do?
The examples are endless.
Businesses like supermarkets need to be fully stocked with groceries. Ships need to be loaded with exports like logs for overseas markets. Construction companies need materials to be delivered to get on with the job. Tourists and workers need to be on the move as well.
School leavers or those looking to change jobs are needed to make a start on careers in these important sectors and right now they are in demand.
Road Transport
Currently there is a shortage of drivers. The road transport industry is at least 1500 drivers short according to the National Road Carriers Assocation. If nothing is done to address this issue, it is expected that within seven years the industry will be short by at least 9000 drivers.
Passenger Services
Bus drivers are also in demand, especially in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch as public transport is becoming more popular. Some companies have even begun recruiting overseas to get enough drivers.
Port Workers and Stevedores
Almost all of New Zealand's exports and imports are carried by sea and workers need to be able to load and unload them safely.
The work is not as physically demanding as it once was. Stevedores need to have skills in operating heavy machinery such as straddle carriers and cranes.
Jobs in this sector also encompass log handling, cargo handling and tugboat and pilot operations.
Warehousing and Logistics
There are excellent career opportunities in the warehousing and logistics sector.
Workers in this area co-ordinate the movement of goods and increasingly are using more up-to-date technology.
Warehousing equipment is now specialised with new types of forklifts and new software programmes in use.
Another sector, freight forwarding, is a global industry where the use of technology has also had an impact. Workers need to be computer literate to complement manual tasks performed on the job.