What shortage!!!!
The industry is flooded with brand new pilots, low time pilots and some with nearly 1000hr pilots all over New Zealand looking for jobs. The work simply is not there to give these guys a chance. Now they are spilling out into other countries such as Canada, Australia and USA only to find out that their false promises are turning to fading hopes. It is not fair on these guys and not fair on anyone who are sold false promises. There are false messages in New Zealand being passed on to these guys that there is work in Canada. This is far from the case!. Canada is just like everywhere else in the world, requiring experience pilots. Too many NZ pilots are arriving in Canada only to turn back and go back to NZ with their tails between their legs. There is absolutely NO shortage of pilots whatsoever!. It is totally unfair on the existing new pilots who are wandering all over the world trying everything and pleading to work for various helicopter companies. People thinking about becoming a heli pilot need to consider this. Brand new NZ pilots considering travelling to Canada to find work, need to ensure that there is a very HIGH chance of them spending 10K to do their conversions, airline tickets etc etc only to travel back to NZ with nothing.
As for flight training establishments - there are only a few reputable well-known operators in NZ that have the reputation and the appropriate certifications and qualifications to train. There are some out there that are only using the training to fund their debts and do not hold the appropriate certification and qualifications!! (we all know who they are). So, ensure that you do your homework before signing up. This is vitally important.
Good Luck!