Funding supports new construction sector Transformation Plan
The Government has committed $37.485m to continue the work of achieving a thriving, fair and sustainable construction sector.
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The funding will support the Construction Sector Accord to deliver its Construction Sector Transformation Plan 2022-2025
"This new funding is a significant step forward for the Accord and we are determined that it will help unlock the sector's potential to transform its productivity, its innovation, its sustainability, and its health and safety record," said Accord Transformation Director Dean Kimpton.
The funding supports the sector to achieve a renewed set of transformational goals under the new plan, to be launched in July. The new Transformation Plan has a greater focus on:
- the Māori construction ecosystem
- strengthening capability and productivity across small to medium enterprises
- driving innovation
- reducing carbon emissions.
These initiatives are aimed at achieving the Construction Sector Accord’s vision of a thriving, fair, and sustainable construction sector that enables the wellbeing of Aotearoa New Zealand’s people and its environment.
"In its first three years of progress towards industry transformation goals, the Accord has become the 'go to' forum for industry to engage with government and vice versa. It proved its worth during the first COVID-19 lockdown and has continued to bring leadership to a notoriously fragmented sector," said Mr Kimpton.
"This new funding is a significant step up for the Accord and will allow us to support a greater range of initiatives to transform the sector," said Mr Kimpton.
The Construction Sector Accord was the country's first Industry Transformation Plan and was launched in April 2019. Industry Transformation Plans are in progress for eight industries with significant potential for transformational change:
- Construction
- Agritech
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Digital Technologies
- Food and Beverage
- Forestry and Wood Processing
- Fisheries
- Tourism.
Background
The Construction Sector Accord is a joint commitment from government and industry to work together to create a high performing construction sector for a better New Zealand.
The Accord's new Transformation Plan, to be launched in late July, has a 2030 vision of a thriving, fair, and sustainable construction sector that enables the wellbeing of Aotearoa New Zealand's people and its environment.
Over the longer term, the Accord aims to increase productivity, raise capability, and improve resilience in the sector.
Accord achievements
- The Accord has brought better leadership and focus to a fragmented sector with 150+ industry bodies. Leadership has been especially evident in the COVID-19 response, with the Accord Forum rapidly convened to co-ordinate sector response.
- The Accord has become the 'go to' channel for industry-government communication, with sector leaders able to communicate directly with Ministers.
- There are 30 milestones under the current Accord Transformation Plan, of which 28 will have been completed when the Plan formally ends on 30 June 2022. The two outstanding milestones will continue under the new Accord Transformation Plan 2022-2025.
- The Accord's procurement work is addressing fundamental industry problems of risk allocation, including through fairer, more transparent contracts, and providing assurance of prompt payment and strengthening the retentions scheme.
- Accord funding has allowed MATES in Construction to expand its suicide prevention work.
- Launch of the Accord Diversity Roadmap, which will be released in mid-2022 and will stress the untapped and transformational potential of a diverse workforce in addressing the skills shortage.
- Accord support for the Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE) which will have a stronger focus on employers and delivering the skills they need.
- Nearly 600 skilled construction workers were approved to enter New Zealand under the Construction Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) Group Allocation, managed by the Construction Sector Accord. The allocation was for up to 60 places per month in MIQ between May 2021 and March 2022.
- Accord funding has allowed Construction Health and Safety New Zealand (CHASNZ) to create protocols for working on construction sites and to develop the Tōtika Health and Safety Pre-qualification Scheme.