Construction subject to bring building industry into schools

New Zealand Building Industry Federation Chief Executive Julian Leys has welcomed the Government’s decision to introduce Construction and Built Environment as a secondary school subject, saying it could help encourage more young people into the industry

Education Minister Erica Stanford and Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis announced nine new industry-led subjects on 6 August, with students in years 12 and 13 able to study them from 2029.

Leys said it was interesting to see construction included among subjects developed around some of New Zealand’s major industries.

“I will be intrigued to see how they fit into students’ secondary school qualifications,” he said.

“I’m excited to see how this, alongside the other newly announced subjects, lands. Hopefully it will facilitate more motivated young people into our industry.”

Construction enters the classroom

The Government said the new subjects are being developed with industry and are intended to give students practical and relevant skills, while providing clearer connections between school, further training and employment.

Stanford said the subjects would have the same standing as traditional ones such as English and maths, would count towards students’ secondary school qualifications and would support pathways into university, trades, training or the workforce.

Construction and Built Environment is being developed with the Construction and Specialist Trades Industry Skills Board.

Under the proposed subject, students will learn how construction materials, systems and practices work together to create the built environment. They will also develop skills to analyse and evaluate building outcomes, including considerations around safety, sustainability and effectiveness.

The Government said the subject aligns with construction-related programmes already being delivered and will introduce students to career pathways across construction and specialist trades.

Infrastructure pathways included

Construction is one of several new subjects connected with the wider built environment.

Energy and Infrastructure, developed with the Energy and Infrastructure Industry Skills Board, will cover energy, water, extractive and infrastructure systems. Students will apply systems thinking and STEM principles to challenges involving resource use and infrastructure resilience.

The subject is intended to introduce students to careers across energy, water, civil infrastructure and extractive industries, covering pathways from apprenticeships and entry-level training through to specialist technical and operational roles.

Engineering Technology will also provide a pathway into related industries. Developed with the Transport Industry Skills Board, the subject will teach students about engineering systems, materials and technologies, including how to test and improve solutions and apply engineering thinking to practical problems.

It will cover how systems, machines, tools and infrastructure are designed, operated, maintained and improved across industries including automotive, aviation, freight and logistics, rail, ports, maritime and public transport.

Subjects available from 2029

The Government has allocated $15m in its Budget 2026 to develop the practical qualifications.

Willis said the programme was intended to provide clearer links between what students learn and employment opportunities in sectors including construction, engineering and energy.

The nine subjects will become available to year 12 and 13 students from 2029. Alongside Construction and Built Environment, Energy and Infrastructure and Engineering Technology, subjects will cover manufacturing, artificial intelligence, food and fibre, health services and care, hospitality and tourism.