The building and construction industry are being challenged to pledge 1000 new apprenticeships in three days.
It's all part of New Zealand's largest and free-to-attend trade show for the industry next Sunday, with the organisers posing a new challenge for the industry to pledge 1000-plus new apprenticeships across the 3-day event.
It's one small step towards bridging the skilled labour gap in a growing national pipeline of design and construction.
Buildnz organisers are sending the "pledge" message to build, construction and design industry employers who can nominate apprentices they need at www.buildnz.com/pledge;
Buildnz will be approaching more than 50,000 builders, designers and architects (registrant) professionals on the show database, combining that with BCITO, an organisation purposely engineered to match high potential apprentice candidates with construction and design employers.
"The big problem stems from a reluctance to take on new apprentices due to the time and cost involved in upskilling - but we all know the investment pays off," says Tony Waite, show director of buildnz.
"We will run a Telethon-style campaign across social media, email and direct mail campaigns - asking show visitor employers to 'pledge' (or sign up) for a face-to-face conversation with BCITO about opening their doors to new apprenticeships."
Those who pledge will get a face-to-face appointment with potential candidates at the BCITO Growth Hub on site.
"We'll also be encouraging prospective new apprentices to drop by the show to find out more about the construction and design industries and the opportunities out there," says Waite.
Buildnz is free for industry professionals, with 3 days of seminars and more than 250 exhibitors showcasing the latest and greatest build, construction and design materials, solutions and services across more than 15,000 sqm of floorspace.
Historically the show attracts more than 6000 builders, architects, designers, planners, developers and construction professionals across the 3 days - and organisers remain confident that attendance will grow.
"What's different about this year is we're connecting visitors with prospective employers - and giving those employers the tools and confidence to take on new staff with a journey of support provided by BCITO and other industry partners like the Registered Master Builders Association," says Waite.
There's also a brand new industry leadership Build Summit being launched, exploring the macro challenges and opportunities. There's even an entire exhibition hall dedicated to the National Safety Show with its own full schedule of free seminars and safety solutions for industry.
The event celebrates Kiwi innovation in design and construction - like the free keynote seminar by Professor Mark Burry, a New Zealand-born architect who enjoys enormous international recognition as the Professor of Urban Futures at the University of Melbourne and as Senior Architect and Researcher at La Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, Spain.
As Waite points out: "Every great New Zealander who reaches the kind of professional heights that Professor Burry has achieved had to start somewhere. Someone had to give that person their first apprenticeship. We're hoping the initiative we're bringing is a catalyst for a new generation of industry heroes."
Buildnz is trade only and free to attend. The show runs June 25-27 at the ASB Showgrounds Auckland. Pre-register at www.buildnz.com