Qualified builders and tradespeople should have an easier road to becoming licensed after the government announced an immediate streamlining of the system today.The new process – which comes into effect on Monday - should help ease the skills shorta
Qualified builders and tradespeople should have an easier road to becoming licensed after the government announced an immediate streamlining of the system today.
The new process – which comes into effect on Monday - should help ease the skills shortage still being seen in the construction sector
The negative effects of that shortage may be about to get stronger with the residential building rebound tipped to continue, although a recent survey showed there was still a lack of bigger jobs to be found.
Building and construction minister Maurice Williamson said the country’s 5000 qualified builders and trades people will find it “faster, easier and cheaper” to get themselves licensed, provided they have a strong track record.
“We are recognising the hard yards that these people have already put in to get qualified. They shouldn’t then have to wade through layers of red tape to get licensed. So without compromising quality or safety, we’ve streamlined the process for them.”
Unsurprisingly, the move has the support of industry organisations, with the Certified Builders Association of New Zealand and the Registered Master Builders Federation both getting in behind the scheme.
Mr Williamson said the government expected the country to have almost 20,000 licensed building practitioners by 2012.
He said today’s announcement was part of the government’s ‘Better Building Blueprint’ package of initiatives.
“The Better Building Blueprint will help New Zealanders build quality homes and buildings. Getting builders licensed is an important part of that package.”
