Under Construction reaches 100!

This is the 100th edition of a magazine developed specifically to support you, our builders, through what has proven to be one of the most significant periods of change within our industry

Twelve years ago, in September 2011, we launched Under Construction to provide our builders with an easily accessible tool, through which they could achieve their ‘elective learning’ skills maintenance points under the revamped Licensed Building Practitioner scheme. 

Introduced in 2007, the LBP scheme changed the rules for how builders go about their work. When it was announced that the scheme would become mandatory in 2012, with an ongoing skills maintenance requirement, we saw the need and the opportunity to expand the support we could deliver to our trade customers. 

Since then, we have witnessed an unprecedented era of change, from building regulation and health & safety legislation to contract law and Covid-19. Throughout this time, Under Construction has sought to keep you up to speed with the critical information you need, along with some useful advice, to keep your business operating profitably. 

At the time of its introduction, Under Construction was one of only a handful of trade publications providing information that qualified as skills maintenance learning.

Our new magazine reflected the more formal direction the wider industry was taking, replacing our existing Pies & Portaloos ‘smoko entertainment’.

Getting the right balance

From the get-go, we have aimed to pack Under Construction with as much useful and relevant information for builders as possible – all in one place. 

Regulatory updates, skills maintenance information, health and safety advice, business tips, employment guidelines, insurance guidance, apprentice news, trade-specific instruction and industry news are now regular features of this bi-monthly publication.

When it became mandatory to read MBIE’s Codewords newsletter in 2015, we included the relevant articles in Under Construction, ensuring LBPs could continue to meet all their licence requirements outside of on-the-job learning.

While it has always primarily been a learning resource, we also wanted somewhere to celebrate the community spirit and various achievements of PlaceMakers builders and staff – and the incredible support they receive. There has been plenty to be proud of over the years, from local initiatives to nationwide Blue September efforts.

The ripple effect

According to Graeme Owen, director of The Builder’s Business Coach and a regular contributor to Under Construction, this type of educational support is invaluable to those working in the industry. 

“Builders regularly tell me how much they value Under Construction,” says Graeme.

“Running a building business requires more than practical construction skills, which is one of the reasons why I chose to work in this industry. I want to help builders attract and engage customers in a professional manner, so that both parties – and anyone else they work – get a great result. 

“My goal in supplying articles for this magazine is to assist builders in creating a culture that reaches beyond their immediate company into the families and communities of their team, sub-trades and suppliers.”

PlaceMakers has a similar objective and remains committed to delivering useful and informative articles in an easily accessible manner, in print and online.

“Our industry has gone through massive change in the past 12 years and will continue to do so,” says PlaceMakers Brand Manager Nicholas Scott. “We remain committed to supporting our builders come what may! 

“Though Under Construction, we can provide helpful and up-to-date information and maintain that connection between our business, our customers and the wider industry. 

“I would like to thank all of the contributors – past and present – who have helped us in that endeavour.

“We now have our sights set on the next 100 issues!”