The Construction Skills Action Plan reached its target of supporting 4,000 people into construction-related education and employment earlier than expected.
Minister for Building and Construction Poto Williams revealed that over 9,300 people took up education or employment opportunities in the construction sector since the Plan was launched in 2018.
“This is an important milestone and a positive step towards meeting New Zealand’s current and future construction needs,” said Minister Williams.
“By surpassing our overall target to get an extra 4,000 people into the sector, we are confident we are well on the way to creating the conditions for a high-performing construction sector in Aotearoa New Zealand.”
The Construction Skills Action Plan is a three-year programme of initiatives led by the Ministry of Social Development, Tertiary Education Commission. Also, it is managed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
The Plan’s purpose is to address the issues around the size and skills of the workforce to ensure the construction industry is well placed to deliver the buildings New Zealand needs.
Minister Williams also pointed out three other initiatives met their deadlines earlier than the three-year target.
Mana in Mahi achieved more than 2,200 placements in the construction sector. Meanwhile, Skills for Industry has more than 1,600 participants and Growing Careers and Credentials supported more than 5,200 enrolments.
“I’m proud of what this Plan has achieved so far – we are reaching into our communities to give people the support they need to build their own futures in construction,” she said.
The Accord Transformation Plan is part of the Construction Sector Accord’s people development workstream. Through it, other initiatives are being supported in order to grow the capacity and capability of the workforce. This is done by attracting a diverse range of people into construction opportunities, growing the size of the workforce and supporting the upskilling of people and businesses in construction.