News
Find out what’s happening with the Construction Skills Action Plan.
On this page
Changes to Government Procurement Rules
27 October 2020
Cabinet agreed in September(external link) to a number of changes to the Government Procurement Rules(external link) for mandated government agencies, including when constructing new buildings, mandated departments and agencies will be required to assess the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the materials and construction processes used.
MBIE will soon commence engaging with relevant agencies and key stakeholders on this. This approach enables government procurement to take a leadership role in facilitating the building and construction sector to transition to a low-emissions, climate-resilient future, complementing Government's wider policy goals across urban development, water and energy efficiency and waste minimisation, in support of the wider sector policy for construction.
Consortium to lead Construction Centre of Vocational Excellence
3 September 2020
A consortium have been announced as the successful applicants to lead the Construction and Infrastructure Centre of Vocational Excellence (ConCoVE).
The successful consortium includes:
- Construction Sector Accord
- Manukau Institute of Technology
- Unitec
- Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
- Ara Institute of Canterbury
- BCITO
- The Skills Organisation
- New Zealand Construction Industry Council
- Vertical Horizonz
- Connexis.
CoVEs will play an important role in the new vocational education system - driving innovation and excellence in vocational education by strengthening the links between industry and communities.
The ConCoVE, one of the first to be established, will focus on how construction-related vocational education can be applied to help fix the industry's long-standing skills challenges.
The CoVE will be hosted at Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) and will involve industry representatives, researchers, providers and other relevant groups working together to share best practice and knowledge.
More help to keep and employ apprentices
12 August 2020
Employers now have more options to help keep and bring on apprentices with the Apprenticeship Support Programme.
The Apprenticeship Support Programme is a cross-agency government response to help employers deal with the effects of COVID-19 and continue to invest in training and developing new talent. Employers and businesses can access support from a number of programmes including Apprenticeship Boost, Mana in Mahi, or the Regional Apprenticeships Initiative. The Group Training Schemes, which some employers are part of, will also receive additional support.
The support programmes require apprentices and trainees to progress through their training – it is not a quasi-wage subsidy extension.
Apprenticeship Support Programme – www.workandincome.govt.nz(external link)
Employment, education and training support – www.connected.govt.nz(external link)
Construction CoVE process underway
4 March 2020
The Government has called for expressions of interest to set up a Centre of Vocational Excellence for the construction and infrastructure industries.
The Construction Sector Accord are developing an expression of interest, with leads for the People Development workstream, Graham Burke and Bill Newson engaging with Unitec, Ara, MIT, ITOs, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and Vertical Horizon. The final consortium may include others.
This CoVE will focus on making step-change improvements to construction-related vocational education that will help fix the industry’s long-standing skills challenges — including looking at new and disruptive technologies, practices and values.
The Accord team are developing a CoVE governance structure that ensures the CoVE serves the needs of industry stakeholders — including large and SME employers, peak bodies, unions, and learners. The CoVE will focus on addressing the challenges that can be met through improved education and training within the time and resources available.
The consortium is looking to assemble a larger group of stakeholders who wish to support the bid and be included in consultations, updates, and opportunities to participate in projects. Please email the Accord team if this is something you are interested in.
TEC expects to have the first two pilot CoVEs (for the construction and primary industries) selected and established from mid-2020.
Read more about the Construction CoVE on the TEC website(external link).
Provincial Growth Fund supports Waikato youth into construction
28 January 2020
Two projects focused on supporting Waikato youth into the construction industry have been given combined funding of just over $1 million from the Te Ara Mahi allocation of the Provincial Growth Fund, Undersecretary for Regional Economic Development, Fletcher Tabuteau announced today.
Read the full release on the Beehive website(external link).
Construction Sector Transformation Plan launched
26 January 2020
The Construction Sector Transformation Plan was launched today, with the Construction Skills Action Plan (CSAP) featuring in one of six key focus areas of the plan.
The Transformation Plan is a three-year plan that sets out six major focus areas – leadership; business performance; people development; health, safety and wellbeing; regulatory environment; and procurement and risk – with actions in each that will help lead to transformational change. It is a jointly owned programme between government and industry.
CSAP is one of the transformation programmes in the ‘people development’ workstream and the plan outlines how the industry will actively support it.
The Accord Steering Group will support and use the programmes in the CSAP by providing jobs and training through the Mana in Mahi and Skills for Industry programmes. They will connect to the Jobs and Skills Hubs and support the youth transitions initiative. The group will work to promote construction careers and support the development and uptake of micro-credentials that give short training in specific skills. Members will also urge the wider industry to make use of the opportunities offered be the CSAP.
Other transformation programmes in the ‘people development’ workstream include building workforce capability, shaping the Reform of Vocational Education, long-term workforce planning, and increasing diversity in the construction industry.
Visit the Construction Accord website(external link) to read more about the Accord and the Transformation Plan. Keep checking in for stories about how people are participating in Construction Skills Action Plan initiatives, and how you can get involved.
Construction CoVE – have your say
18 November 2019
The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) is running a series of workshops to hear your views on a Construction Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE). CoVEs will play a significant role in driving innovation and excellence in vocational education, by strengthening links with industry and communities. The form and function of the CoVE will be designed so it matches what industry needs.
The first two CoVEs to be in place in 2020 will be a Construction CoVE and a Primary Sector CoVE.
Your engagement on the Accord is key to shaping the role and purpose of the Construction CoVE as well as the broader Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE) programme. Your input and feedback gathered through the Accord have helped inform the challenges the Construction CoVE could address for the sector. The upcoming CoVE workshops are an excellent opportunity to hear more about this work as well as provide further industry input to shape an important part of the vocational education system in New Zealand. In the upcoming workshops, TEC want to hear your thoughts on:
- the functions the CoVE should undertake
- the scope of coverage for the CoVE
- who should be involved
- how long the CoVE should run for
- location
- what makes a successful CoVE and how to measure this
Read more about CoVEs(external link) and find out how to have your say.
We will keep you updated with progress about the shape and delivery of the CoVE.
TEC and MOE public meetings - Workforce Development Councils (Reform of Vocational Education)
17 September 2019
The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) and Ministry of Education (MOE) want to hear what you think about the potential coverage and governance of Workforce Development Councils (WDCs).
WDCs will help industry take a lead in making New Zealand’s workforce fit for today, and the future. Through skills leadership plans, they will set a vision for the workforce and influence the vocational education and training system.
TEC and MOE are holding public meetings throughout New Zealand over the coming weeks.
For more information, and to RSVP, visit the Tertiary Education Commission website(external link).
Building on excellence in construction
19 August 2019
Education Minister Chris Hipkins has announced a new Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) for the construction sector as part of the wider Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE). It is the second to be announced, following the naming of the primary sector as the first CoVE last week.
Read the Minister's media release(external link).
Read more about the first CoVEs(external link).
Mana in Mahi to help 2000 young New Zealanders into work and training
13 August 2019
The Prime Minister and Employment Minister Willie Jackson have announced the extensions to the Mana in Mahi initiative, which is part of the Construction Skills Action Plan.
Read the release on the Beehive website(external link).
New Rules support New Zealand’s construction sector
28 June 2019
Minister for Economic Development Minister has highlighted that the 4th Edition of the Government Procurement Rules require Government construction contracts valued at over $9 million to include construction skills and training.
Read the Minister’s media release(external link).
Read more about the Government Procurement Rules(external link).
Building Otago’s Construction workforce
17 June 2019
A $250,000 investment from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) will be used to undertake modelling on current and future workforce training and supply requirements in the Otago Region. This will help ensure the right people and skills are available for the more than 700 construction projects forecast for the Otago region in the next 15 years.
Read the full story on the Grow Regions website(external link)
Get ahead with a construction career
7 June 2019
The Tertiary Education Commission has launched a new construction hub on its careers.govt.nz website to attract more people to train and work in the construction industry.
Read the full announcement on the Tertiary Education Commission website(external link).
Expansion of construction programme to upskill people on benefit
29 April 2019
The Ministers of Social Development, Employment, and Building and Construction have come together to formally launch a construction and training hub for job seekers wanting careers in the construction industry.
Read the full announcement on the Beehive website(external link).
INZ to establish Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List
12 December 2018
Immigration NZ has announced it’s establishing the Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List to support the government’s construction and infrastructure commitments.
Read the full announcement on the Immigration New Zealand website(external link).
Government construction projects will support skills training
6 December 2018
The Ministers for Building and Construction and Economic Development have announced that Government construction projects will support skills training in the industry. Government agencies are encouraged to take the lead in setting good construction procurement practice as soon as possible, before it becomes a requirement.
Read the full announcement on the Beehive website(external link).
Planning for 21st century construction skills
4 October 2018
The Minister for Building and Construction has officially launched the Construction Skills Action Plan, which is designed to improve the construction industry’s ability to deliver skilled jobs, careers, and build more houses.
Read the full announcement on the Beehive website(external link).
Ensuring a sustainable construction workforce for New Zealand
27 June 2018
The Minister for Building and Construction has announced that targeted sector engagement has begun on the proposed Construction Skills Action Plan. The Plan is being developed to build a sustainable construction workforce for New Zealand.
Read the full announcement on the Beehive website(external link).