Registered Master Builders’ Apprentice of the Year Awards Dinner, 2009

Speech notes

Hon Maurice Williamson

Minister for Building and Construction

Registered Master Builders' Apprentice of the Year Awards, 2009

The Boatshed, Wellington Waterfront

Thursday, 22 October, 2009

 

Acknowledgements

 

 

Warwick Quinn - Chief Executive, Registered Master Builders

Stu Munro - Chief Executive, Carters

Ruma Karaitiana, Chief Executive, BCITO

Katrina Bach, Chief Executive, Department of Building and Housing

 

 

Introduction and thanks

 

 

It's a pleasure for me to be among so many talented and dedicated young people.

 

Master Builders' Apprentice of the Year Awards is an opportunity to acknowledge the skill and hard work of the nation's young builders.

 

The event enables the best building talent from across New Zealand to showcase those skills.

 

And we should acknowledge the people and organisations who make this event so successful year after year.

- the employers who take on apprentices and mentor them through their apprenticeship.

 

- the families who support their sons and daughters through the entry process.

 

- commercial organisations such as Carters - whose financial support makes such a large, national wide event possible.

 

- training organisations such as the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation - which helps build the sector's capacity by equipping builders of the future with the skills they need.

 

And, of course, Registered Master Builders - without whom none of this could happen.

 

As Minister for Building and Construction, I'm delighted to be part of this year's ceremony.

 

And I'm pleased my department - Building and Housing - is again a sponsor.

 

But above all, our thanks should go to all the entrants.

 

Your skills, knowledge and dedication set you apart and I know you all have bright futures ahead of you.

 

Economy

 

We all know the building and construction industry has taken a hit in the last year or so.  

 

Confidence in the future has waned as the recession took hold but a recovery is on its way and with it is a renewed optimism.

 

The latest official figures show that for the first time in many months the New Zealand economy has started to grow again. 

 

My priority, and the Government's is to do everything possible to nurture that recovery and, as greater confidence returns, do all we can to help accelerate growth.

 

We can do this by boosting skills and productivity.

 

Skills and productivity

 

A first important step forward in achieving this aim came recently, with the publication of a major report into what is holding the building and construction industry back.

 

Written by leading building and construction industry figures, it outlined some of the barriers in the way of greater productivity and how they might be removed.

 

And it put forward a number of very practical ideas for developing a sector-wide skills strategy.

 

A sector-wide skills strategy supported by industry could limit and even eliminate skill shortages which hinder the sector's growth.

 

And I can also see how better government procurement can bring improved value-for-money.

 

So, the sector is taking skills and training seriously and with events like this Master Builders is playing an important part.

 

The downturn has put more pressure than ever on businesses to scrutinise where savings can be made, and all too often skills training is the first on their list.

 

It is only by showing the continued commitment to apprenticeships and other similar training initiatives can the industry set a course for sustained growth.

 

I sense a growing optimism but I believe that optimism is nowhere more evident than among you - our young trades men and women.

 

Young people are the key to the continuing success of the industry, and it is reassuring the supply of talented recruits to the industry continues. 

 

And apprenticeships are the ideal way to make sure those skills are not lost to an industry which values them.

 

Licensing

 

I believe we are entering a new era of building in this country.

 

The Licensed Building Practitioner scheme will help restore much-needed confidence in our builders.

 

Leaky home syndrome which has been so much in the news recently has knocked the industry.

But over time the public will have confidence that licensed building practitioners working on their homes and buildings are competent, and that homes and buildings are designed and built right first time.

Licensing will promote and support builders' skills and behaviour, in the same way as other professionals like plumbers, architects and electricians.

Over time, the emphasis on education and training, along with better career pathways, will increase.

From 2015 it is proposed that licensing will be qualifications-based.

But before then the scheme will be competence based - that means tradespeople who do not hold formal qualifications but are competent and have a good track record, can have their skills and knowledge formally recognised, whether they are trade-qualified or not.  

A few weeks ago I announced details of what would become restricted building work - work that can only be done by or supervised by a licensed practitioners.

 

This work affects a building's primary structure such as foundation and framing and external moisture management, such as the roof and cladding - work that's integral to the quality and performance of any building.

 

These are sensible changes which have been welcomed by the industry and the public.

 

It will allow builders a chance to stand by their work and be accountable for it - like the apprentices in this room today.

 

Those who learn skills on the job will get the opportunity to reap the benefits licensing will bring.

 

You have already had your skills recognised by Master Builders in this competition.

 

Over time consumers will demand more from our tradespeople, and with licensing you will be able show again that you can meet that demand.

 

You have already shown your willingness to put your skills and abilities on the line.

 

Streamlining

 

But there's more to do. I want to see the current scheme streamlined. I want to see how we can:

 

- provide a fast-track, simplified and cheaper process for trade-qualified practitioners, and

 

-  simplify some of the categories and remove duplication with other schemes

 

I hope to see results in this area by early next year. I also look forward to taking forward recommendations that will come from a review I've instigated of the Building Act.

 

One of the key things I want to see is a more risk-based consenting and inspection process that reflects not only the complexity of the building, but also the competence of the practitioner. In this way, licensed building practitioners can be rewarded through having things such as fewer inspections.

 

Closing remarks

 

The industry's future prosperity will depend on a high-performing sector that is productive and delivers good quality homes and buildings that are safe, weathertight and durable.

 

Apprentices have roles to play now and in the future.

 

Just being here means your personal attributes, your practical skills and your knowledge of the sector have been assessed and shown to be exceptional.

 

Many of you will run your own business, others may even become industry leaders helping shape the industry for future generations.

 

Whatever path you take, I've no doubt you will all prosper.

 

This is something we should all applaud, and I congratulate all the entrants and their families and wish you every success.

 

It is now my pleasure to help present the awards to the winning finalists.

 

Thank you