Future demands for construction workforce

More construction workers will be needed to supply the sufficient labour power to support the nationwide boom in construction investment and developments. With different reports detailing the positive statistics of projects and growth, employment in construction is definitely a factor as the building trend continues.

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With investments in the construction sector expected to peak at $37 billion in 2017, demands for construction-related occupations will also increase at least until the end of 2021 as forecasted in The National Construction Pipeline Report as well as the the Future Demand for Construction Workers report; which were released by the Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce and Building and Housing Minister Nick Smith.

Across the country, demand for construction-related occupations in New Zealand is projected to increase by 10 per cent between 2015 and 2021, with the approximate number of 49,000 employees, including working proprietors to the total of 539,500. It is expected that electricians, plumbers and civil engineering professionals to have the largest growth to 2021 by 14 per cent, 13 per cent and 11 per cent respectively.

In particular to Auckland, it has the largest construction workforce requirements and necessities, requiring under 185,000 construction-related workers by 2021. Overall construction employment with projected increase by 21 per cent between 2015 and 2021 (32,000 employees). In Auckland, it is expected that project builders, plumbers and carpenters & joiners will have the largest growth of 39 per cent, 38 per cent and 34 per cent respectively.

In Waikato and Bay of Plenty, construction labour demand increases 9 per cent (6,800) to approximately 82,000 employees by 2021. Largest growth is projected to be 9 per cent in civil engineering professionals, 8 per cent in electricians and 7 per cent in plumbers.

For Wellington, the demand increases by 10 per cent (4,800) to over 51,000 employees by 2021. Plumbers, project builders and electricians are expected to have the largest levels of growth by 13 per cent, 12 per cent and also 12 per cent respectively.

Canterbury conversely will expect declines in workforce demands from 2016, though initially having the large workforce demand due to the rebuilding activities fro the earthquake. The decrease in demand is expected to decline by 9 per cent (10,400 employees), to a total of 72,500 employees. Project builders, carpenters & joiners and plumbers will expect to experience declines of 37 per cent, 29 per cent and 23 per cent respectively.

All of the building activities, projects and employment trends will all be discussed over the diverse 2- day construction event, Auckland Build Expo 2016 this coming November 16th and 17th.