NZSA CEO’s March Report

NZSA CEO Gary Morrison talks broadened MSD employment partnership, NZSA 50th anniversary, proposed NZ income insurance scheme, electronic security qualifications funding, and more.

Gary Morrison is CEO of the New Zealand Security Association (NZSA). A qualified accountant, Gary originally joined Armourguard Security as a junior accountant and held several roles over two decades prior to appointment as GM for New Zealand and Fiji, after which he established Icon Security Group.

I had the pleasure of having a week off in Central Otago in late February, enjoying some bike riding (highly recommend the Lake Dunstan Trail but next time will forget my ego and go for an ebike) and quality wine and food.

Whilst local tourism and hospitality providers have been largely resilient to the direct impacts of Covid/Omicron, it was very obvious that the most significant problem they are facing is finding workers. I spoke to a number of business owners who have either shut down their customer facing operations or are on the point of closing down and with little likelihood of reopening unless there is a dramatic change to government border and migration settings.

Whilst the government has a philosophy of training New Zealanders into roles, the simple reality is that many Kiwis have no interest in the work on offer, particularly given that just about every industry sector is desperate for workers.

Similarly, the argument that there are 188,000 potential workers on the Job Seeker benefit has little merit when a significant proportion of those are long-term beneficiaries who for reasons of mental health or dependency issues will find it difficult to gain employment.

The security industry has been dealing with the same issues around staff shortages for several years, exacerbated by first Covid and more recently the Omicron variant.

We certainly appreciate that it is very trying times for security providers in trying to ensure service continuity whilst dealing with daily staff shortages of up to 20%. Talking to a number of our members, there has been considerable planning around business continuity and the prioritisation of services so as to ensure minimum disruption to customers and that certainly seems to be paying dividends.

Several weeks ago, we announced a special partnership arrangement between MSD and NZSA focused on finding additional workers for the security industry and specifically to assist with Omicron enforced staffing shortages. This follows on from our existing Skills for Industry programme with MSD that we have provided for the last four years, but with broadened employment outcomes that now include casual and part-time employment and open to all those allowed to work in New Zealand.

Despite only just launching our social media advertising, themed around helping maintain critical services and infrastructure, we have received a great initial response from potential applicants and will be working with those members who have registered interest in the programme with regards to the interviewing and potential employment of these candidates. If this service may be of interest please email Andrea Charlton on andrea@security.org.nz.

NZSA 50th anniversary

Hopefully you noted the new logo at the header of this months newsletter celebrating 50 years of existence for the NZSA.

Originally formed as the New Zealand Security Industry Association

(NZSIA), this was changed to New Zealand Security Association (NZSA) in 1999.

This is a significant milestone for the organisation, and it is very pleasing that the NZSA now has considerable strength in membership and industry representation as befitting the peak body for the security industry.

We will be looking to formally commemorate the milestone as part of the annual Awards event in September and will keep you posted on this.

Proposed New Zealand Income Insurance Scheme

The Government is currently consulting on an income insurance scheme for New Zealanders. The proposal was jointly developed by a working group comprising Government Officials, Business New Zealand and the Council of Trade Unions.

Key features of the scheme include: • The scheme will provide employees with up to 80% of their previous income (capped at $130,911) for up to six months following loss of employment due to redundancy or loss of capacity to work due to a health condition or disability. • Where an employee is made redundant, their employer will need to give four weeks’ notice and make a “bridging payment” of 80% of the employee’s wages during the notice period. • The cost of the scheme will be funded by a 2.77% levy split equally between the employee and the employer (approximately 1.39% each). • The levy will apply on income up to $130,911 and will be collected through the PAYE system. • To be eligible, employees will need to contribute for at least six months in the previous eighteen months preceding a claim. • Claimants under the scheme will need to seek new employment, retrain or undertake rehabilitation.

The NZSA is currently preparing a joint submission with the association representing commercial cleaners on the basis that we do not support the proposal at this time.

Whilst there is a case for reform, we believe that in the current climate of low unemployment, high (and increasing) inflation and extreme cost pressures on employers the introduction of the proposed scheme at this time would be detrimental to both employees and employers.

Improved funding support for electronic security qualifications

It is pleasing to note that the industry has been successful in gaining confirmation from TEC that the NZCiES Level 4 (New Zealand Certificate in Electronic Security) is now recognised as a New Zealand Apprenticeship.

This means that in addition to the NZCiES being covered under the Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (better known as Fees Free) through to December 2022, employers can now also claim a subsidy of up to $1,000 per month under the Apprenticeship Boost programme.

Unfortunately, this does not apply retrospectively and as the scheme only runs to 4 August 2022, employers will need to sign up workers to the NZCiES Level 4 and apply for the Apprenticeship Boost payment through Work and Income before that date.

Whilst Government has yet to announce any funding alternative going forward, it is expected that an equivalent scheme will be introduced and with electronic security qualifications recognised.

The other good news is that we now have confirmation that non New Zealand citizens can be enrolled provided they have the right to work in New Zealand for at least the length of the training programme specified in the training agreement. If they have a visa that allows them to work in New Zealand for three years, they can enrol in a three-year training programme.

For further information please contact Carine Vaccari at ETEC on: 0225 686 671 or carinev@etec.ac.nz.