CCNZ held its first Civil Workforce Forum workshop on 28 July at the Basin Reserve. The event was attended by 50 people, who explored the entry points to the civil and infrastructure construction workforce and shared information on upcoming initiatives and changes in infrastructure workforce development.

The event was supported by Ministry of Social Development Industry Partnerships Team Key Account Manager Jamie Kissock, who covered off how the Ministry's introduces people to the civil construction workforce and introduced the many successful employment initiatives.

Other speakers included co-chair of the Construction and Infrastructure Centre of Vocational Excellence Graham Burke, Ministry of Education Regional Principal Advisor Mandy Regan, Connexis General Manager of Learning Solutions Mike Grumball.

Contractors also spoke to give their perspective, with Cody Pepere from Wellington's Multi Civil talking about establishing a learning culture within a business, Robbie Paul talking about his work with Te Aratika Industry Training, Fulton Hogan National Training Manager Alena Taylor introducing the pilot Infrastructure Skills Centre and Alistair McIntyre speaking on his decades of work to bring youth into industry.

The event also included a workshop to clarify entry points to the workforce and discuss the key issues in helping people get the foundation skills they need to join the civil construction workforce.

As well as raising awareness and exploring challenges and solutions to getting people into the workforce, the workshop also informed research CCNZ is conducting in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment on overcoming the barriers to entering the civil construction workforce. This research is due for publication in September.

Download the Civil Workforce Forum workshop presentation>>