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As the New Zealand construction sector grapples with skills shortages, a new joint venture aims to provide support to employers and apprentices in trades.
Registered Master Builders Association and Builders Academy New Zealand (Builders Academy) have announced a newly formed joint venture aimed at lifting the quality and accessibility of vocational education to support a better-built New Zealand. This significant partnership marks a step towards developing a more robust and skilled workforce, and more choice in training providers for aspiring carpentry apprentices.
As the construction industry grapples with skills shortages and an aging workforce, both organisations say the partnership is founded on a shared vision for vocational education and training through increased industry involvement.
‘We are committed to encouraging more young people to pursue careers in the trades,’ says Registered Master Builders Association CEO Ankit Sharma. ‘Our partnership with Builders Academy reflects our dedication to providing aspiring residential and commercial builders with greater educational choices. This collaboration allows Master Builders to actively participate in their training and development, ensuring apprentices acquire the essential skills to meet the industry’s needs, and address workforce gaps.’
Glenn Duncan, General Manager of Builders Academy, says he believes that industry involvement is pivotal to successful vocational training, and that his organinsation is focused on lifting the standards of the industry and optimising learning outcomes.
‘As we continue to expand across New Zealand, having a partnership with Registered Master Builders Association is central to our growth,’ Duncan says. ‘We want to make sure that we are delivering in a way that suits and supports Kiwi builders.’
With a roster of more than 50 workplace educators and over 1300 apprentices, Builders Academy is positioned to effectively grow the country’s construction workforce in carpentry, residential construction supervision and commercial construction supervision.