The Regional Advantage: Leveraging Local to Build a Resilient Workforce
If you asked New Zealand business owners and leaders to identify their key operational challenges, we’d hazard a guess that staffing – finding the right people, and enough of them – would consistently rank in the top five. It’s a common hurdle that has remained problematic within many industries across Aotearoa, despite the current unemployment levels.
Coordinating consistent, skilled staffing across regional areas is highly complex. In regional New Zealand, where each community has a unique economic landscape and employment dynamic, understanding how to leverage local networks and resources is a valuable tool in building a resilient, adaptable workforce. At AWF, we’ve developed an effective approach over our many years in business, which we hope will help you and your organisation.
1. Understand the Regional Dynamics
Each region in New Zealand has a distinct character, industry profile and labour market.
With branches nationwide, we’re fortunate to have access and oversight across much of Aotearoa, to facilitate knowledge sharing, at branch level and national level amongst leadership.
Keeping informed and aware of the key industries in your region, as well as local employment patterns, will aid in the development of targeted recruitment and retention strategies that align with the strengths and values of the community.
2. Recognise the Role of Community Support
A close-knit community offers businesses a powerful tool for improving employee retention. In regional areas, fostering a sense of belonging and community among employees can significantly enhance loyalty and job satisfaction.
As an organisation, AWF invests in local communities, hosting family-friendly events, sponsoring local sports teams, and offering volunteer opportunities. As well as the direct good this does, we also believe this helps our people feel that their work has a meaningful impact on the communities we operate within.
One of our strongest attributes as a business is our loyal workforce, which we know is enhanced by this local community connection. When employees see that their company is invested in the well-being of their town or region, they’re more likely to remain loyal, contributing to lower staff turnover rates and a stable, experienced workforce.
3. Leverage Local Resources
Regional businesses also have the advantage of tapping into workforce development programs offered by local councils, government agencies, and educational institutions. Many of these programs, including training grants, apprenticeships, and upskilling initiatives, are tailored to meet the specific needs of regional industries and can be instrumental in building a skilled workforce from within the community.
Provincial Growth Fund:
For example, initiatives like the provincial Growth Fund and various MBIE-supported programs offer funding and support for regional workforce development. These resources not only help fill immediate skills gaps but also create a pipeline of skilled workers who are likely to stay within the community.
Regional Deals Framework:
The government continues to support regional economic development through the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF)
Partnering with regional agencies to access training grants or apprenticeships can lead to long-term growth and stability, ensuring that your business remains competitive in your industry.
4. Plan for Workforce Peaks and Troughs
One of the hard facts of regional business is that peaks and troughs are felt more acutely. Seasonal employment cycles, such as those in manufacturing, logistics, civil, construction and agriculture, can be difficult to manage.
However, through identifying these fluctuations in labour requirements, planning ahead and scheduling with all of tools in your toolkit, it’s possible to avoid revenue-impacting gaps in your workforce. Cross-training your employees, and using a skilled, flexible temporary workforce will keep operations running smoothly and avoid disruption.
At AWF, our approach for clients with multiple locations, is to offer an easy, streamlined experience. Clients sign one Terms of Business and are allocated a dedicated Account Manager, whose partnership role is focused on helping to anticipate these very fluctuations, and then help to staff accordingly.
Building Resilience Through Regional Expertise
For senior leaders and business owners who want to transform staffing challenges into strategic opportunities, we recommend leveraging the regional advantage, through a community-focused approach.
This is what we believe sets AWF apart, and is a big part of our success: our deep-rooted presence in regional communities. Our teams don’t just work in these areas – they live there. This local expertise is invaluable for business.
By understanding local dynamics, investing in community relationships, and making the most of regional resources, businesses can build a workforce that is skilled, loyal, and resilient. This regional advantage not only ensures that businesses meet their staffing needs, but also strengthens their role within the communities they serve, contributing to the success of both the business and the region as a whole.