Employers connect with jobseekers at Marlborough Hiring Day

connect with people to help them understand the opportunities they had.

Speaking to The Marlborough Express earlier in the event, Goss said the company had already talked with a few people of interest.

‘‘We have 80,000 hectares of forestry, and we have a sawmill that processes everything, cut for the domestic and export markets. We have around 75 employees at Kaituna, and we’re looking to grow that to around 82.’’ He said roles at the company were varied, from engineering to forklift driving.

Finding labour in Marlborough had always been difficult, Goss said.

‘‘Marlborough has a low unemployment rate, but we probably need to connect with the community more to sell our story, so that people can understand what the forestry industry and Kaituna can offer them, certainly as employment but also in future opportunities.

‘‘We’re probably also looking at expanding in terms of the future. Wood is a commodity, but worldwide there’s really a shortage of wood, and we see ourselves changing to more automated roles.’’

E&E Trading Ltd owner Yan (Eddie) Gang, who specialises in vineyard contracting work, said he had multiple job vacancies, made worse by the lack of foreign labour in the country.

Gang said his was a relatively young company, so the event helped to get its name out there. The company was open to employing people with minor criminal records, as it wanted to give people a chance.

E&E was trying to fill winter vineyard pruning roles, which included cutting, stripping and wrapping the vines, which was vital work for next year’s harvest. ‘‘There’s always not enough workers,’’ Gang said.

‘‘Last year and this year especially, it’s a big problem. It can be hard work, so this is a good way to see people and tell them what we can provide.’’