New Zealand Chinese Building Industry Association (NZCBIA)’s Post

Workers needed for construction-led recovery!💪The NZ Building and Construction sector is set to lead New Zealand’s economic recovery, if it can fix issues with a shortage of skilled workers and high job turnover across the industry, according to a new report.     Commissioned by the New Zealand Chinese Building Industry Association, the report reveals that in 2022, almost 40% of the workforce had less than a year of experience in the industry. Additionally, in 2023, it shows that over 90% of new entrants came from outside the sector.     NZCBIA President Frank Xu says while the economic outlook for the industry is positive, the findings show there is work to be done.  “Building and construction is a $99 billion industry which supports 576,000 jobs across New Zealand. The pipeline for new construction projects needs to be better planned to ensure the stability of the industry and the new Government needs to continue with clearing regulatory hurdles for getting projects underway.     “This report shows that we have issues with our construction industry workforce that we must address to strengthen the sector. Biggest are the issues of employee churn and our need to train more skilled people,” says Xu. The report, authored by economist Shamubeel Eaqub, also identifies issues with poor public perception of the construction industry, which is attributed to long-standing productivity issues in the sector. Xu says the same problem of stalled productivity in the construction industry is apparent across the OECD.  ”We’ve had 30 years of stalled progress, but this is not unique to New Zealand with many comparable countries facing similar productivity challenges. We’re in the middle of the OECD pack, but the report points to how we can do better,” he says.       To address issues with productivity and skilled worker shortages, the report calls for New Zealand firms to ramp up frontline training and micro-training to build workforce skills and retain people and knowledge in the industry.  TK Yong of Auckland’s Livefirm Construction (N.I.) Construction shares the success of their dedicated training programs: “We’ve invested in upskilling our carpenters for many years, resulting in significant improvements in employee retention and productivity. The return on investment is substantial—our workers gain valuable skills, experience income progression, and are more likely to stay with us longer. Industry-wide, enhanced training systems and resources are key to reducing turnover and boosting the speed, quality, and productivity of our workforce.”    NZ’s Building and Construction Industry, by the numbers:  🔅 $99.4b total annual sales of goods and services throughout the sector  📍 306,000 people directly employed in the industry  💡 576,000 jobs supported by the industry   💠 $70b spent annually on New Zealand building and construction suppliers  💰 $17.5b spent annually on wages    Report：https://lnkd.in/gqRZp-rv

Today, the Parliamentary Launch of the NZCBIA Building Construction Report was successfully concluded! The event, hosted by Hon Chris Penk MP, Minister for Building and Construction, and NZCBIA, brought together industry leaders, sponsors, and officials to discuss key insights from the report. The program began with warm welcomes and acknowledgements, followed by Hon Chris Penk’s opening remarks. Frank Xu, President of NZCBIA, shared his perspectives, and we were delighted to hear from our key sponsors: Ellen Wu, the Founder and Director of from Brilliance Steel, and Greg Durkin, the Director of Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation. Shamubeel Eaqub, the report author, presented key findings, sparking insightful discussions and engaging the audience with his expert analysis. A big thank you to our wonderful MCs, Nancy Lu (MP, MPA, CA) and Patrick English, our NZCBIA members and everyone who joined us today. Click the link to view the full report: https://lnkd.in/gtKbDGEQ #NZCBIA #Industryreport #Parliament

The NZCBIA South Island Spring Gathering was successfully held yesterday at PlaceMakers Riccarton, bringing everyone together to celebrate the arrival of spring. The event also featured an introduction to this year’s NZIBES Christchurch event, and we welcome your active participation! Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Launch of the NZCBIA Building Construction Report is happening today at Parliament! Stay tuned for an exciting recap after the event! #NZCBIA #NZIBES #Building #Construction

NZCBIA’s grand finale event of the year — the 2024 NZIBES Christchurch Event — is now open for sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities! This year, the event expands into a 2-day Expo, offering a prime platform to foster connections between the North and South Islands, explore business opportunities, and uncover new prospects. In addition to the Expo, don’t miss the prestigious 2024 NZCBIA South Island Annual Gala Dinner on the evening of 1 November. Connect with Industry Leaders & Forge Valuable Partnerships. Click the video below to catch highlights from last year’s event, and feel free to contact us if you’re interested in participating! Event Date: 01-02 November Venue: Air Force Museum, Christchurch #NZIBES #Building #Construction #Christchurch

🌟 Upcoming NZCBIA Events This Week! This week, NZCBIA is excited to have two special events: 1️⃣ Parliamentary Launch of the NZCBIA Building Construction Report Thursday, 12:00 - 2:00 PM Join us for the official report launch at Parliament, hosted by Minister Chris Penk MP. To RSVP, scan the QR code in the invitation or email event@multimarketing.co.nz. Limited spaces available, so secure your spot soon! 2️⃣ Spring Cocktail Gathering Wednesday, 4:30 - 7:00 PM Hosted by our South Island Chapter, we invite you to celebrate the spring season by networking with industry peers. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect! Register by scanning the QR code in the invitation. We look forward to seeing you at both events! 🌸 #NZCBIA #Networking #BuildingIndustry #ChristchurchEvents #WellingtonEvents #ConstructionIndustry #SpringGathering

🌕 Happy Mid-Autumn Festival from NZCBIA! 🌕 As the full moon rises, we celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for togetherness and gratitude. At NZCBIA, we are proud to stand alongside our community and industry partners, working together to build a brighter future. Wishing everyone prosperity, success, and precious moments with loved ones during this special time. 🏮 #MidAutumnFestival #NZCBIA 

✨ Exciting Milestones Ahead at NZIBES Christchurch 2024! ✨ We’re thrilled to announce the grand finale of the 2024 NZCBIA events—NZIBES Christchurch! This year’s event will be full of firsts: • First-ever two-day expo in Christchurch! • Largest NZIBES exhibition ever held in the city! • The biggest gala dinner NZCBIA has ever hosted in Christchurch! The event will unite exhibitors and industry leaders from across New Zealand, from both the North and South Islands, and even international participants. This is your opportunity to be part of something BIG—whether you’re looking to exhibit, sponsor, or attend the gala dinner. Don’t miss out on the networking, exposure, and business opportunities that await! Contact us now at southisland@nzcbia.org.nz #2024NZIBES #NZCBIA #Construction #Building

For NZCBIA, 2024 has been a landmark year, with the successful Auckland NZIBES event, the upcoming NZIBES Christchurch event, and the release of the NZCBIA Building and Construction Report 2024. Commissioned by NZCBIA and authored by renowned New Zealand economist Shamubeel Eaqub, the report offers in-depth insights into the latest trends in the building, construction, and real estate sectors. By analysing productivity and proposing actionable solutions, it aims to foster a deeper understanding and drive growth across the industry. NZCBIA invites you to the Parliamentary Launch of the NZCBIA Building and Construction Report on 26th September, hosted by Minister Chris Penk MP Spaces are limited—register now by scanning the QR code on the poster or emailing event@multimarketing.co.nz!

The NZCBIA Trade Delegation to China is now more than halfway through, and there’s so much to share! We’ll be posting updates here. ✌ Last Friday, the group visited the Vanke Group Biosphere 3 Carbon Neutral Experimental Zone in Dameisha – an incredible facility that highlights how clean energy, green building practices, and sustainable urban living can transform communities. Even though it was built over a decade ago, the facility has an 85% renewable energy utilization rate and has made significant reductions in carbon emissions. Vanke Group, a leading construction company in China, continues to leverage its market presence and capabilities to push sustainable and renewable initiatives both in China and globally. The delegation also met with AUPUP, one of the largest construction materials and sourcing companies, which originated from Vanke Group. AUPUP has a strong Kiwi connection, as the manager of IBS, a key partner, is based in New Zealand. Additionally, the group visited Yin Neng, a prefabrication company in Foshan. The CEO has worked in New Zealand’s building and construction sector for 35 years, and is now applying that expertise to drive innovation at Yin Neng while working with Dylan Huang in compliance efforts for New Zealand.