With the immense activity in the sector in terms of projects, the huge demand for talent and the need for educating the next generation of infrastructure professionals, it was clear that there was a hole in the market for an initiative that covered it all in one location.
BUILD NEW ZEALAND NOW has been introduced to support all stakeholders involved in the “big build” of New Zealand, including government agencies, local councils, private organisations and training institutions alike. The site not only allows for project owners and contractors to research, plan and hire accordingly, but will function as a resource for those working in the industry or looking to get into it. With information on what project are happening where and when, as well as development and education opportunities from across the country, and support and insights from our partners EY, Utility and IPWEA New Zealand, BUILD NEW ZEALAND NOW will function as a “one-stop-shop” for the sector.
The site not only hosts the projects on a map of the country, showing the distribution of activity nationwide, but exhibits project profile pages for each, outlining the work being done presently and in future, the budgets and benefits, what’s required and who’s involved.
Workforce planning is potentially more important than ever for the sector as a result of the decades-long structural skill deficit, recent industry layoffs and the geographical reach of the build programme, meaning skilled and unskilled labour is needed from across the country now and for the foreseeable future.
With project profiles, development and education courses and the option to engage with an expert industry recruitment team, the site brings the interests of contractors, employees, employers and stakeholders together in one location.
Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) chief executive Warwick Quinn says BUILD NEW ZEALAND NOW should enable the tertiary education sector to better understand the medium and long-term needs of the country, particularly at a regional level. “Institutions need to understand the future demand for construction skills in order to plan and develop a pipeline of skilled people for the industry. However, given demand is dictated by firms, who are usually hesitant to train when the supply of work is low, the sector is often caught short when the economy recovers.”
Encouraging better coordination between training institutions and the industry will, in the long term, help reduce New Zealand’s reliance on the offshore skills needed to build complex infrastructure projects, Mr Quinn says.
If you’re in the infrastructure sector, then there is almost certainly a way you can be involved in BUILD NEW ZEALAND NOW.
If your organisation has infrastructure projects either in motion or in the pipeline, or you’re an education provider looking for more exposure, please get in contact with Lucy Bray (lucy.bray@hainesattract.co.nz | +64 21 842663) to coordinate displaying your information on site (at no cost).
