New approaches to solving the skills shortages in the New Zealand construction industry

Abstract

Purpose

In the light of international skills shortages at different levels of the construction industry, this research assesses solutions to skills shortages in the construction industry drawing on research from New Zealand.

Design/methodology/approach

The way in which the research objectives were achieved was a mix of qualitative and quantitative research. Grounded theory technique was used in the research.

Findings

New Zealand currently uses a variety of techniques to tackle construction industry skills shortages, such as increased wages, overseas recruitment and reformatting training requirements, but still there is a shortage of skilled and semi‐skilled workers for the construction industry. The results of the in‐depth interviews of leading practitioners in New Zealand show how different sectors – government, education and industry – provide different solutions but that ultimately a joint focus on education and training will have the biggest long‐term impact on skills shortages.

Practical implications

The paper serves as an illustration to other countries on how New Zealand is solving the construction industry skills shortages. These solutions have practical implications for other countries.

Originality/value

The research provides an original assessment of the types of shortages faced in New Zealand and the ways in which they can be solved.

Citation

Lobo, Y.B. and Wilkinson, S. (2008), "New approaches to solving the skills shortages in the New Zealand construction industry", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 15 No. 1, pp. 42-53. https://doi.org/10.1108/09699980810842052