CCNZ has been working with industry partners Infrastructure New Zealand and the Association of Consulting and Engineering New Zealand to request urgent action, ensuring funds Government has committed to support construction jobs and economic activity are quickly mobilised.

CCNZ Chief Executive Peter Silcock said COVID-19 had created a gap in workflow as regional projects were deferred or cancelled due to uncertainty. Contractors were trying to retain a skilled workforce, but the longer it took for projects to come to market and a solid forward work plan to be established, the more difficult this would be.

“The growing gap between COVID-19 deferred and cancelled work, and the construction stimulus package is creating extreme uncertainty and leaving employers with little option but to reduce employee numbers. While measures like the wage subsidy have been welcome and very helpful, employers are reluctant to commit to a further period of employment for staff they have no current or foreseeable work for.”

“We have called for urgent action to release a tranche of design, engineering and quickly mobilised construction work to ensure that current industry momentum, capacity and capability is retained over the short term. This is to ensure it is available to be used as a platform to lead and maximise future job creation and deliver the Government’s previously announced infrastructure investments,” Mr Silcock said.

For more information contact peter@civilcontractors.co.nz.