NZ targets more foreign construction workers

New Zealand construction companies have launched a new campaign which aims to entice more than 20,000 foreign workers to the country.

A group of private construction companies and public organisations have come together to launch a new campaign, called Look See Build, which aims to entice builders to immigrate to the country to meet the growing demand for construction workers.

“With Look See Build NZ we are essentially trying to future-proof the construction industry for a level of infrastructure build that this country has never seen,” said Hamish Price, whose company HainesAttract is spearheading the initiative. “We’ll be targeting the UK and Ireland and other selected markets for the right people to come here and live and work in New Zealand,” he added.

Hoping to attract 20,000 construction professionals, the Look See Build NZ campaign is supported by Immigration New Zealand and offers a range of traditional Kiwi experiences to help lure the workers there early next year.

Construction workers interested in a career in NZ can register their interest on the Look See Build website now. Those who are shortlisted will be flown out for interviews in February 2018, and will also be given the choice of activity to enjoy while in the country, including attending a New Zealand cricket test match, a Maori cultural performance in Rotorua, surfing at Raglan, fishing on the Hauraki Gulf, bungee jumping at Queenstown and wine-tasting on Waiheke Island.

Last year, the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment projected demand for construction-related occupations would increase by 11 per cent between 2016 and 2022. That translates to 56,000 more employees nationally, approximately half of whom would need to service the country’s largest city, Auckland.

Article published 13th October 2017