Local recruitment and labour hire specialist Canstaff is opening a new office in Mount Maunganui focusing on getting local people into work in the construction, manufacturing and logistics sectors.

Canstaff Sales Manager Mark Greenstreet saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between employers' need for workers and people looking for work in the area, which has been stricken by recent manufacturing closures.

"There are shortages everywhere and we hope that our collaboration with employers will help to fill those shortages while helping local people find work”, says Mark.

With recent closures in manufacturing having hit the region hard Mark believes that there are a great many people with quality transferable skills able to move into other areas of employment.

Closures and border restrictions into New Zealand mean there are both gaps in the labour market and opportunity to move people into work to fill those gaps.

'It is our role to help respond to the demands of the changing marketplace with staff who are ready for work," says Area Sales Manager Michele Anderson. "With a team now in Tauranga it makes the whole process easier to get locals into industries they may not have thought they were suited for. Now the support is right on the doorstep.

'People may not apply for a specific role because they believe they don't have the right skill-set or experience when, in reality, many have transferable skills that can be utilised in different roles within construction, manufacturing and logistics.

'It may start out with contract work, but over the past 20 years we have seen people move from contractors to full-time employment which we are really happy to facilitate.”

Canstaff's new Mount Maunganui office is located at 2 Curly McLeod Way, Mount Maunganui. Join the Canstaff Team for a breakfast BBQ on Wednesday, March 31 from 6am to 8am.