The civil infrastructure industry is welcoming the Government’s $11 billion investment in the sector over the coming years.
Civil Contractors New Zealand (CCNZ) president Brian Warren says the sector has the capacity and availability to undertake the increased work that will result from the increased Government investment.
“This capacity is helped by having a formalised civil trades certification that assists Government and local councils to recognise the contractors that are skilled and competent to undertake the work when awarding construction contracts,” says Warren.
“The industry has an ageing workforce with 37% of the Civil workforce over 50 years. With the increased investment in infrastructure spending today, it is critical that companies utilise this opportunity to develop the future workforce through training,” he says.
“The introduction of the NZ Civil Infrastructure apprenticeship that leads onto Civil Trades Certification offers a huge benefit to both companies and those new to the industry as it provides a pathway for career development from labourer to machine operator and onto project management, engineering or business ownership,” says Warren.
Connexis, the Civil Infrastructure industry training organisation (ITO), says the industry is predicted to require 16,000 workers over the next three years, and Connexis is well underway in supporting industry in providing the skilled workers for filling the jobs.
“As the infrastructure industry training organisation, we support our customers to ensure they have a skilled workforce,” says interim Connexis David Worsnop.
” Having a qualified person undertaking the work improves the productivity, efficiency and safety of the workforce and it is important that the increase in infrastructure investment is coupled with an investment in future skilled people,” he says.
“Industry training allows people to gain these skills and qualifications on the job. It is a huge benefit for those wanting to get ahead, earning a wage while investing in their future career through on-job training,” says Worsnop.
Connexis has several initiatives to support the industry in attracting new people.
The efforts include a transition to work programme for those new to the Infrastructure industry, promotion of women into the trades, as well as working to promote the overall benefits of a trades careers for those people looking for a change in their career, or for school leavers.
