Project managers and plumbers in high demand

The Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment’s Future Demand for Construction Workers report forecasts that more than 571,000 people will be employed in construction-related industries by 2022

The report shows that demand for construction employees is forecast to increase by an average of 11% between 2016 and 2022, as the current building boom is projected to last longer than previously expected.

With 515,000 people currently estimated to be employed in construction-related industries, approximately 56,000 new construction-related jobs are expected to be created in the next six years. The occupations expected to record the largest growth are plumbers (15%), electricians (14%) and civil engineering professionals (12%).

Approximately an additional 2,500 carpenters and joiners are forecast to be required on top of the 15,633 employed in 2016, which is due in part to earthquake-related work tapering off in Christchurch freeing up a large number of tradesmen.

Approximately half of the total job growth is expected to occur in Auckland, where pressures on construction are already making it difficult to find qualified staff.

In line with the national trend, the most in-demand occupation in the region is expected to be plumbers (up 32%). However, project builders* (up 27%) and civil engineering professionals (up 18%) are expected to be the next two occupations most in demand. Around an extra 1,200 carpenters and joiners will be required in the same timeframe.

Other regions

Demand for construction-related employees in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty region is expected to increase by 14% from 2016 to 2022, which translates to an overall increase of approximately 11,000 employees between 2016 and 2022. The most demanded occupations are project builders (up 18%), electricians (up 18%) and plumbers (up 19%).

Wellington is projected to have a 9% growth in demand for construction-related employees to 2022. The overall projected increase in construction-related occupations in the Wellington region is approximately 4,200 between 2016 and 2022.

The most demanded construction occupations for the Wellington region include project builders (up 14%) and truck drivers (up 10%).

Following construction activity in the Canterbury region reaching its peak (including Kaikoura earthquake repairs), overall construction-related employment demand is projected to decline by 1% to 2022. Project builders and carpenters and joiners experience the largest declines in demand – 15% and 14% respectively.

About the report

This report presents key projections from the updated National Construction-related Occupations Model (NCOM). The objective for NCOM is to help the construction industry plan for their future workforce needs, by providing information on the occupations that are expected to be in demand to the end of 2022.

NCOM produces forecasts for construction-related occupations across all New Zealand industries, based on 62 occupations selected from a total of 1,022 used for statistical purposes, and is not limited to the construction industry. Construction-related occupations are defined as the main labour supply sources for the construction sector, but may include people not working in the construction industry.

For example, truck drivers might be working directly for construction firms, working on construction activities but employed by transport firms, or working outside the construction sector (for example milk tanker drivers).

*A project builder is alternatively known as a professional builder.

Table 2: Total New Zealand top 10 construction-related occupations, 2016 – 2022 Note: Based on 2013 Census crew mix