overview.

Education is a fast-growing sector that employs a large number of New Zealanders. These jobs include teaching across all levels of childhood education, care outside of school hours, as well as university lecturers and tutors. There are jobs across every region of New Zealand, with most needing a diploma or a university degree, while some lower-skilled jobs like teacher’s aide or before and after school care can provide a pathway to becoming a teacher or a care coordinator.

The sector also has an older age profile that suggests there could be opportunities as workers retire.

in demand skills & qualifications for early childhood teachers.

  • tasks and duties

    • Planning and structuring learning in both indoor and outdoor environments. 
    • Providing a variety of experiences and activities to develop motor skills, cooperative social skills, confidence and understanding.
    • Promoting language development through storytelling, role play, songs, rhymes and informal discussions.
    • Observing students to evaluate progress and to detect signs of ill health, emotional disturbance and other disabilities.
    • Observing nutritional health, welfare and safety needs of students and identifying factors that may impede students' progress.
    • Attending parent interviews, and staff and committee meetings.

  • skills

    • Learning strategies - the best way to teach or learn something new.
    • Monitoring - progression and making changes or improvements.
    • Social perceptiveness - why people react the way they do.
    • First Aid training.

  • qualifications

    • The most direct entry route is a bachelor degree in education majoring in early education.
    • If you already have a degree in a relevant teaching field you can complete a postgraduate qualification in early education.

in-demand skills & qualifications for primary school teachers.

  • tasks and duties

    • Teaching literacy, numeracy, social science, creative expression and physical education skills. 
    • Presenting prescribed curriculum using a range of teaching techniques and materials.
    • Developing interests, abilities and coordination by way of creative activities.
    • Guiding discussions and supervising work in class.
    • Preparing, administering and marking tests, projects and assignments.
    • Discussing individual progress and problems with students and parents.
    • Maintaining discipline in classrooms and other school areas.
    • Participating in staff meetings, educational conferences and workshops.
    • Liaising with parent, community and business groups.
    • Maintaining class and scholastic records.
    • Performing extra-curricular tasks such as assisting with sport, school concerts, excursions and special interest programmes.

  • skills

    • Learning strategies - the best way to teach or learn something new.
    • Keep track of progress so you can make changes or improvements.
    • Critical thinking - the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
    • Social perceptiveness - why people react the way they do.
    • First Aid training.

  • qualifications

    • The most direct entry route is a bachelor’s degree in education majoring in primary education.
    • If you already have a degree in a relevant field, you can complete a postgraduate qualification in primary education to become a primary school teacher.

want to connect with one of our consultants?

find our nearest office

in-demand skills & qualifications for before and after school care assistants.

  • qualifications

    • Assistants also need a Children’s Worker Safety Check.
    • Region-specific qualification requirements may apply.

in-demand skills and qualifications for early childhood directors.

  • skills

    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
    • Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
    • Excellent organisational, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
    • First Aid training.

  • qualifications

    • Directors generally have at least a New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5). Many also have education degrees.
    • They require a Children’s Worker Safety Check and further certification may be needed depending on local regulations and/or the nature of the centre. 

in-demand skills & qualifications.

  • tasks and duties

    • Demonstrates, supervises and participates in activities. 
    • Prepares indoor and outdoor areas for learning and recreational activities.
    • Assists children with intellectual, physical and behavioural difficulties. 
    • Assists children individually to learn social skills.
    • Assists with preparing teaching aids and copying and collating written and printed material.
    • Distributes and collects lesson materials.

  • skills

    • Effective communication.
    • Good organisational and planning skills.
    • First aid training.

  • qualifications

    • Some organisations may want to hire those with a Teachers Aide Certificate and a Children’s Worker Safety Check will be required.

in-demand skills & qualifications for childcare workers.

  • tasks and duties

    • Assisting in the preparation of materials and equipment for children's education and recreational activities.
    • Managing children's behaviour and guiding children's social development.
    • Preparing and conducting activities for children.
    • Entertaining children by reading and playing games.
    • Supervising children in recreational activities.
    • Supervising the daily routine of children.
    • Supervising the hygiene of children.

  • training and qualifications

    • You may be required to obtain at least a New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 3) and a Children’s Worker Safety Check and First Aid Certificate will be required.

do you want to know more?

connect with one of our consultants.

learn more