Kia ora koutou

I sometimes hear people saying, "You just can’t get a plumber, a sparkie or a builder when you need them." And in a country with earthquakes, high winds and heavy rain that cause roads and buildings to be repaired or rebuilt, someone needs to pick up the pieces. There’s also a pipeline of construction and infrastructure work that still needs to be done. In short, we need more people with the skills to build more than ever.

Ngā mihi nui,
Philip Aldridge, Chief Executive / Te Tumu o Waihanga Ara Rau   

HOW OUR ROLE ADDRESSES INDUSTRY CHALLENGES

As a relatively new cog in a revamped vocational education and training system we still get asked if we’re an industry training organisation, a government department, a "woke cause" or a Māori organisation. So, let’s set the record straight.

THRIVING PEOPLE, THRIVING INDUSTRY SUMMIT

Earlier this month we hosted an event that brought together people from across construction and infrastructure. This included iwi/Māori and Pasifika business leaders, to share examples of best practice, development of tools, lessons, insights, and tips on: 

• attracting and retaining the right talent 
• advancing your team through leadership development 
• building a skilled workforce for the future 
• harnessing the power of diversity, well-being, and culture to drive productivity. 

SUCCESS BY NUMBERS

It’s true. All the statistics in the world can’t measure the warmth of a smile, but our amazing Qualifications Team, who are busy making qualifications fit for purpose, certainly put a smile on the face of many people throughout the sector.

CALLING ALL BRIGHT SPARKS

Do you deal with electrical engineering unit standards within your organisation? If it’s a yes, we need you! Our qualifications team is leading a review on several unit standards in the Core Electrical and Electrical Standards and Statutes domains and would like your input. 

This preliminary review will ensure that the unit standards are up to date ahead of a larger review next year.  

BUILDING WELLBEING AND PRODUCTIVITY ACROSS THE WORKFORCE

September might have marked Mental Health Awareness Week, but boosting the wellbeing of workers in the trades is a year-round priority. We know wellbeing remains a big issue. We’re seeing significant numbers of employees leave the sector, whether that’s to head to Australia or find better conditions elsewhere.  

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF FINISHING TRADES

We’re helping to address the challenges faced by New Zealand’s construction and infrastructure sectors, including Interior Systems, by understanding what's important to them and being their voice in the vocational education and training system. One way in which we understand the needs of those in the finishing trades is through our Strategic Reference Groups.

CARPENTRY CONSTRUCTION SKILL STANDARDS

We’re currently working on the development of Level 2,3 and 4 skill standards for the carpentry industry. This will create skill standards across learning levels that pathway into each other and have a clear progression of skills. 

To start, we’ll focus on the core industry skills that crossover into several on-site construction trades. These include skills such as construction calculations, plan reading, health and safety, tools, legislation, communication and site planning and preparation. 

We’re looking for industry representatives from across the trades to help with the development of the skill standard and are planning to start construction core skill consultation with industry in October.  

MOBILE PLANT & SAFETY SPOTTER SKILL STANDARDS

We’re developing two new skill standards that include fundamental skills that are used in many industries.

We’re asking for feedback from industry people who have an interest in training using these new skill standards.