Our commitment

The construction sector is essential to the Western Bay of Plenty’s growth. In partnership with local businesses and stakeholders, Priority One is committed to delivering targeted, sector-led workforce solutions. Our current focus is on identifying practical opportunities to support youth engagement, close skills gaps and stabilise the workforce pipeline.

Key workforce insights

Insights gathered through direct engagement with industry leaders across the region reveal the following focus areas:

Youth engagement:
Apprenticeships are under pressure due to economic and resourcing constraints. Demand is growing for more accessible and diverse pathways, especially for Māori and female youth.

Skills gaps:
Project Managers, Quantity Surveyors and team leaders are in short supply. Leadership development is often being addressed through internal programmes.

Workforce pipeline:
Project and funding uncertainty has contributed to labour instability and migration to Autralia. Larger firms are propping up subcontractors through internal work streams.

Subcontractor engagement:
SME-level subcontractors lack visibility into future demand and have limited access to shared resources or planning tools.

Action plan

We are focused on the following opportunities for coordinated action between the Prioirty One workforce team and industry participants:

Youth talent:
Strengthen partnerships with schools, iwi, and vocational providers (e.g. Ara Rau, Instep) to promote career pathways and provide pastoral care.

Skills development:
Work with providers and businesses to enhance leadership training, industry / education connection and forecast demand for sustainable construction expertise.

Workforce planning:
Advocate for stable, transparent government investment and support the development of long-term pipeline models.

Industry collaboration:
Build two-way communication channels through regular sector hui, peer mentoring, and shared planning resources.

Subcontractor inclusion:
Invite SME contractors into broader conversations around workforce needs and provide access to relevant information and forecasting tools.

Next steps

We will continue to build momentum through the Construction Sector Workforce Hui series. The next session will focus on youth development in construction and co-designing solutions to support early career engagement.

For more information or to get involved, please contact:

Meg Davis | Project Manager – Workforce Development Priority One