New LBP Registrar keen to get stuck in

Paul Hobbs looks forward to further developing the LBP programme 

In July, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) appointed Paul Hobbs as the new Registrar of Building Practitioner Licensing.

With 20 years’ experience in the building industry, Paul has worked for MBIE, and formerly the Department of Building and Housing, for the past six years. Most recently, he was national manager for the Weathertight Services Group and played a key role in the Canterbury earthquake recovery work for the Building System Performance team, within MBIE.

As Registrar, he will work with the Building Practitioners Board to help recognise, support and promote professional skills and behaviour in the building industry. His experience, regulatory knowledge and technical skills will be particularly relevant to this important statutory role.

Under Construction had the opportunity to ask Paul about his plans going forward:

Will the four categories of learning proposed earlier this year – technical skills and knowledge, regulatory knowledge, workplace safety, and professional development – remain the same?

These four categories broadly represent the core skills or competencies an LBP should strive to uphold in order to maintain current competence in their given license class. However, a review of skills maintenance is currently under way, so things could change slightly. MBIE has been working with LBPs to understand how they are finding the current scheme and to develop a range of possible changes to skills maintenance. A significant amount of work has already been undertaken in this area, some of which includes:

• Completing a telephone survey of LBPs and asking them a range of questions about their experiences regarding skills maintenance.
• Undertaking workshops with LBPs, to gain a better understanding of their experience of skills maintenance.
• Carrying out a web-based survey of LBPs, who have not applied to have their licence renewed, to understand what may have contributed to their decision.

Meeting with a range of sector representative groups to gain their views on skills maintenance in a general sense.

When do you foresee the skills maintenance review being completed?

Identification of possible changes to skills maintenance is due to be completed by the end of September 2014. If the changes we want to pursue require legislative change (including changes to the LBP Rules), the Building Practitioners Board, followed by the Minister’s agreement to consult on the changes, will be sought.

What do you feel the creation of the LBP scheme has achieved so far?

The scheme has led to some 23,771 LBPs holding 28,768 licences (as some LBPs hold more than one licence class). Occupational licensing of LBPs has created minimum competency requirements that the sector must meet in order to undertake or supervise Restricted Building Work. The scheme has also seen many trade and other building-related associations lift their game in respect of training and upskilling staff.

The formation of the scheme has also provided a better opportunity to communicate with the various types of practitioners that form the scheme, as we now know who they are and what areas of work they undertake.

Why you were interested in taking on the position?

I’m passionate about the building sector and, in particular, the technical and legislative aspects of the building control system. My 20-odd years in the sector have seen me develop a strong understanding of the technical and regulatory areas of building control and, as a result, I saw this role as a good fit. I’ve always maintained a strong connection to the core skills due to my experience working as a carpenter, construction manager and building surveyor, and enjoy working with the various groups and individuals who make up the sector.

It promises to be a challenging, but rewarding role.