MSC NewsWire

Founded by Max Farndale 1947 - 2018
Monday, 08 August 2022 03:57
  • Home
    • About Us
    • Pricing
    • Global Presswire
    • Industry Organisations
  • News Sectors
    • Headlines Through Today
    • Environmental Talk
    • Out of The Beehive
    • Primary Sector Talk
    • Reporters Desk
    • The MSC NewsReel
    • MSCNetwork
    • FinTech Talk
    • The FactoryFloor Newsreel
    • Trade Talk
    • News Talk
    • Industry Talk
    • Technology Talk
    • Blockchain
    • Highlighted
    • The TravelDesk
      • TravelMedia
      • Sporting Tours
      • Holidays Tours Events + More
      • Airfares
      • Travel Enquiry Form
      • TravelBits
    • Travel Updates
    • The MSC TravelDesk Newsreel
    • Travel Talk
    • Travel Time
    • The Bottom Line
    • Regional News
    • News to Run Advice Form
    • World News
    • NewsDIRECT
    • MSCVoxPops
    • Press Releases
  • National Press Club
  • Contact Us

New Zealand launches biggest ever drive to attract Brexit Britain's builders

  • font size decrease font size decrease font size increase font size increase font size
  • Print
  • Email
New Zealand launches biggest ever drive to attract Brexit Britain's builders

3 Nov - More than $100bn of infrastructure works are planned but country doesn’t have enough local workers to fill the gap.  New Zealand has launched a campaign to lure thousands of UK construction workers away from their wintry building sites to deliver the country’s biggest ever infrastructure and housing program.  An estimated 65,000 new construction workers will be needed over the next five years to meet demand, forcing the industry to work with the government to create what is the largest ever recruitment drive for UK workers.

The recent downturn in British construction activity had created an ideal employment environment to attract potential migrants, said Greg Edmonds, Auckland Transport’s chief infrastructure officer, as Brexit’s uncertainties continues to take their toll.

A package created by a recruitment consortium, called LookSee Build NZ, offers “experiences”, including fishing, surfing and cultural events, to entice construction professionals. Interested and qualified candidates would then be matched with appropriate employers.

The new Labour-led government wants to spend NZ$2bn (£1bn) building 100,000 new homes over the next 10 years as part of its election promise to improve housing affordability. There are also massive infrastructure works planned during that time, which the industry says will cost about $125bn. However, there aren’t enough local workers to make it happen.

The government forecasts New Zealand’s construction needs will reach a peak in 2020. But despite 11,000 apprentices learning the trades, the industry training organisation says New Zealand still needs many more to meet demand and replace those who retire or leave.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is introducing a scheme that would fast track 1,000 to 1500 visas to specifically attract construction workers from abroad.

Craig West of engineering company Downer, which is part of the LookSee group, said the need for top talent was acute. “Our construction sector is very competitive and this kind of inter-industry cooperation has never happened before but the need for staff requires us to take an all-of-industry approach.”

Aaron Muir, a LookSee Build NZ spokesman and construction consultant, said he did not think the free experiences such as fishing and surfing would by themselves persuade people to make the move. “What it will do is give them a genuine taste of the lifestyle that is on offer in New Zealand,” he said.

The recruitment schemes come as the Labour party also promises to cut net migration to New Zealand by between 20,000 and 30,000 people.

|  A TheGuardian release  ||  November 3,  2017   |||

 

 

 

Published in Industry Talk
Tagged under
  • industry talk
  • Employment
  • Construction
  • keepingintouch

Related items

  • Plastics industry helps designers create easy-to-recycle packaging
  • Turning brain scanning on its head with smaller MRIs
  • Government accused of ‘rehashing Project Fear’ as Treasury is set to claim the UK would be £150bn worse off under no deal
  • FIRST Up: A Robotics Competition That Teaches Real World Engineering Skills
  • NZTech will launch New Zealand’s first formal digital identity organisation in Auckland on Monday.
More in this category: « Big Frights of our Times #4: Privacy Big Frights of our Times #5: Climate Warming »
back to top
Oct 23, 2018

Cannons Creek Bridge is approaching a major milestone.

in CONSTRUCTION
Mar 01, 2018

Fly-in workers to be paid 3/4 of NZ wage

in CONSTRUCTION
Jun 12, 2018

LEEA seeks ANZ representative to drive excellence

in ENGINEERING
May 25, 2018

Fulton Hogan acquires construction materials business

in CONSTRUCTION
Apr 05, 2018

Kiwi apple remains ‘envy’ of others in USA

in HORTICULTURE
Oct 24, 2018

Mainzeal failed while parent made billions

in BUSINESS
Oct 23, 2018

The Macallan’s Pioneering New Distillery Installs Flowcrete Flooring

in CONSTRUCTION
May 30, 2018

Girls with Hi-Vis opening doors to new careers for women

in CONSTRUCTION

MSC NewsWire is a gathering place for information on the productive sector in New Zealand focusing on Manufacturing, Productive Engineering and Process Manufacturing

  • Home
  • Global Presswire
  • Industry Organisations
  • National Press Club
  • Disclaimer
  • About Us
  • Pricing
  • Sitemap
Copyright © 2022 MSC NewsWire. All Rights Reserved.
Site Built & Hosted by iSystems Limited
Top
Travel Talk