Training & Education

March 19, 2020

Workplace health and safety has always been a top priority in New Zealand, but as COVID-19 rapidly gathers momentum, businesses across the country are more focussed than ever on keeping their people safe. With the government actively encouraging work from home options and social distancing, the value of online training has never held more weight. Lucky then that Safety ‘n ...

Digital safety training mitigates impact of Covid-19 on kiwi businesses

January 22, 2020

How often have you quoted a job but ended up losing on it because the hours blew out? It happens to everyone once in a while… but get this wrong too often and you won’t be very profitable. Even the big players in our industry get this wrong more than they’d like to admit… Fletchers got in trouble last ...

Estimating how long a job will take: Why 83 percent get it wrong

January 22, 2020

Tool theft is a growing problem in New Zealand, with equipment often stolen from the back of utes, cars and even construction sites. The impact of such crimes isn’t limited to cost of replacement — it can also mean jobs need to be cancelled until new equipment is purchased, impacting livelihoods. Claiming on insurance can be a lengthy process ...

Tradies fighting back thanks to Tool Protect

September 1, 2017

For company managers the promise is for more automation, intelligence and control, for the ultimate in efficiency and performance. But how much of that promise is likely to become reality? That’s a fundamental question which only the test of time can answer, says Dona White, CEO of North Port Events. “There’s no question that we are in a period of ...

Automation And The Future Of Your Industry

September 1, 2017

What’s more, it’s simply not enough to think that just because steel has been ordered to a New Zealand or Australian standard that the delivered product will automatically conform with that standard and be fit for purpose. Increasingly, this is not the case: The product may meet the standard; it may be supplied with documents for “an equivalent standard” (but ...

Not All Products Certification Schemes Are Created Equal

December 13, 2016

By Jo Bailey Ten years ago Carmen Sutton had barely swung a hammer and had learning difficulties that prevented her from reading. Now she has been named the National Association of Women in Construction’s Tradeswoman of the Year at the Hays NAWIC Excellence Awards. “It was great to win. I definitely wasn’t expecting it,” says Carmen, who attended the awards ...

Inspirational Carmen is Tradeswomen of the Year

December 12, 2016

Two bright sparks from Auckland have taken out the 2016 Electrical Apprentice of the Year Competition (the Master Electricians Challenge), the country’s toughest contest for apprentice electricians. The pair were among 10 finalists, selected during knockout heats around the country, who took part in the gruelling two-day final at the Hilton Lake Taupo. Chabb Chia, 21, from Parau, West Auckland, ...

Apprentices rise to the top

December 12, 2016

A career in the electrical industry is a great choice, says Neville Simpson, CEO of Master Electricians. “Like all trade industries, apprentices are being paid while they learn, so don’t finish their training with a huge student debt. They learn skills they can transfer easily overseas, and can make some really good money.” Mr Simpson would like to see schools ...

Trade careers need wider promotion says Master Electricians

September 28, 2016

You only have to read any job forecasting report to know the construction industry is buoyant, with Seek construction job ads for May up by almost 40% in Auckland alone. The latest findings from The National Construction Pipeline Report (MBIE, 2016) confirms the sector is experiencing steady growth. New Zealand Institute of Building (NZIOB) Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming is positive ...

Construction – How a booming industry can open its doors to young New Zealanders

July 13, 2016

With people “clamouring” to get scaffolding tickets, there is huge demand on SARNZ and industry training providers to provide appropriate training and qualifications. “With the increasing need for skilled, trained scaffolders and riggers, the industry needs to develop its training programmes to ensure standards continue to improve and evolve,” says SARNZ chief executive Graham Burke. This is particularly critical from ...

Huge demand for quality training

July 13, 2016

Training is a big part of the offering of the Frame and Truss Manufacturers’ Association, which has been actively involved in the development and delivery of NZQA approved qualifications since 2001. The Association has worked closely with the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) in the development of the National Certificate in Frame & Truss Manufacture (Level 3) which ...

Training leads to exciting career options

July 13, 2016

The Brick and Blocklayers Federation of New Zealand (BBFNZ) is introducing new initiatives to drive cohesiveness within the masonry trades, says chief executive Melanie McIver. “Fragmentation has been an issue for the Federation, given we have 14 independent regional associations, as well as the Masonry Manufacturers Council under our umbrella, with each setting their own meetings. While our networks support ...