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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has tried his hand at��digger driving��and he reckons those on the Jobseeker benefit should too.��

Defending��new sanctions��he said were designed to shift people off Jobeeker Support into employment, Luxon said there were plenty of jobs in horticulture and a shortage of digger drivers in New Zealand.��

“We need massive amounts of digger drivers. They’re cool jobs,” Luxon told ��һ�ǿ�����talk ZB, defending newly introduced sanctions to be applied to those on the Jobseeker benefit who fail to meet their obligations.��

Jobs advertised on New Zealand employment sites such as Seek and Trade Me showed a demand for digger operators but most required at least a class two qualification.��

Vern Tooala from labour hire and recruitment company Hirestaff said there was a high demand for experienced and qualified digger operators.��

“There is a real shortage and the market is tight - companies are holding on to their most skilled and experienced talent.”��

Tooala said despite the demand for workers most employers required drivers to have their Wheels Tracks and Rollers certification.��

Drivers needed at least their restricted driver’s licence and then had to sit the half-day WTR course which cost up to $595.��

“Ideally companies want them to have done the Wheels Tracks and Rollers which covers operating a 5-tonne up to a 50-tonne machine,” Tooala said.��

“Companies usually get young labourers internally and if they are reliable and fit for the team they progress more into the operating side of things.”��

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Tooala said there were pathways for those with less experience on smaller residential sites where they could work under a senior foreman.��

“They can guide them and show them the ropes,” he said.��

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon digs a hole with a 14-tonne digger under the guidance of Stace Keen at the Central Districts Field Days in Feilding. Photo / David Haxton��

Digger operators started at around $27 an hour and progressed with experience. Skilled operators of bigger machines could earn up to $45 an hour.��

“The bigger machines can be dangerous and there are really strict health and safety laws in New Zealand,” Tooala said.��

“Drivers need to be aware of what they are operating and the damage that can be done - the laws are not just for the sake of it.”��

Luxon defended the controversial new sanctions which included reapplying for the support every six months, requiring all beneficiaries to have a Jobseeker profile before their benefit is granted and half the person’s benefit loaded onto a payment card that can only be used for a limited range of essential products and services.��

Labour called the move benefit-bashing, the Greens said these were “cruel policies” hurting people in��poverty��who needed support.��

Kirsty Wynn is an Auckland-based journalist with more than 20 years experience in New Zealand newsrooms. She has covered everything from crime and social issues to the property market and consumer affairs.��