Menu

Scaffolding News

Global News

Pilosio to Unveil Pioneering Scaffolding and Formwork Solutions at Bauma 2025

Italian construction solutions specialist Pilosio will unveil an extensive...

NASC and SAA Unite to Boost Global Scaffolding Standards

In a landmark move for the global scaffolding industry,...

Layher Set to Showcase New Era of Scaffolding at Bauma 2025

Layher, the global scaffolding innovator, is preparing to make...

Doka Unveils Cutting-Edge Innovations Ahead of Bauma 2025

Austrian formwork and scaffolding giant Doka is preparing to...

Hong Kong to Phase Out Bamboo Scaffolding Over Safety Concerns

Hong Kong is set to scale back its iconic...

Interviews

Insights

7 Business Blind Spots That Are Holding Your Scaffolding Company Back

I’ve been running my consultancy business for nearly two...

Investing in Layher’s technical expertise brings measurable returns

Design is a critical part of your project. You...

The Real Danger of Knock-off Scaffolding Products

In the fast-paced, high-risk world of scaffolding, safety is...

The Dangers of ‘Mixing’ System Scaffolding

T hroughout my career working with system scaffolding – predominantly...

Purchase or Hire: Which is the Best Way to Add System Scaffolding to Your Stock? 

As someone with experience both of using systems scaffolding...

Menu

Scaffolding News

Global News

Pilosio to Unveil Pioneering Scaffolding and Formwork Solutions at Bauma 2025

Italian construction solutions specialist Pilosio will unveil an extensive...

NASC and SAA Unite to Boost Global Scaffolding Standards

In a landmark move for the global scaffolding industry,...

Layher Set to Showcase New Era of Scaffolding at Bauma 2025

Layher, the global scaffolding innovator, is preparing to make...

Doka Unveils Cutting-Edge Innovations Ahead of Bauma 2025

Austrian formwork and scaffolding giant Doka is preparing to...

Hong Kong to Phase Out Bamboo Scaffolding Over Safety Concerns

Hong Kong is set to scale back its iconic...

Interviews

Insights

7 Business Blind Spots That Are Holding Your Scaffolding Company Back

I’ve been running my consultancy business for nearly two...

Investing in Layher’s technical expertise brings measurable returns

Design is a critical part of your project. You...

The Real Danger of Knock-off Scaffolding Products

In the fast-paced, high-risk world of scaffolding, safety is...

The Dangers of ‘Mixing’ System Scaffolding

T hroughout my career working with system scaffolding – predominantly...

Purchase or Hire: Which is the Best Way to Add System Scaffolding to Your Stock? 

As someone with experience both of using systems scaffolding...
Ad
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
14.1 C
London

U.K. Edition

New Zealand Scaffolding apprenticeship scheme sets up

- Advertisement -

The New Zealand scaffolding industry is hoping a new apprenticeship scheme will help the profession reach new heights.

The industry is offering a three-year apprenticeship for people to learn the ropes of the trade while working on the job.

Developed by the Skills Organisation and the Scaffolding, Access and Rigging Association (SARNZ), it’s hoped it will help the industry tackle a long running skills shortage.

Speaking to local media Radio NZ, SARNZ chief executive Graham Burke said: “It’s not getting any better, so the forecasts in the construction pipeline are for strong growth for some time to come yet and there’s never been a better time than to get into the industry as far as building a career,”

He hoped it would help make the profession more attractive and build bridges with new talent.

“We’ve had a level 5 qualification as our highest qualification for a long time but we’ve never actually been recognised as a trade by the general public and it seems like until you actually have an apprenticeship people don’t recognise the skill level in the industry.

“I think it will help us get the recognition from schools and parents and people looking at embarking on a new career; that is we’re not just a labouring trade.”

‘Business owner’

Phil McConchie’s company Camelspace employs around 130 people and is one of the country’s largest scaffolding companies.

Also speaking to Radio NZ he said: “It’s hard enough actually to hire unskilled people to just move things from A to B but it’s infinitely more difficult to hire skilled people. It’s one of our biggest constraints.”

He said it was hard to train people as experienced staff were required to help, but also getting into training was hard with only a few private training organisations.

“We’re not alone in the scaffolding industry with being dissatisfied with the way that works and that holds us back. We can have people ready to enter polytechnic block courses under the existing system and we’re happy to pay all the fees as a company to train people and those training organisations are just not in a position to take them.”

He said some eager labourers had to wait up to nine months to get into a class.

“As we’re short of skilled people we’re keen to back them and pay for their training and get them on the course. With the existing courses this seems to be such a problem. The candidates are willing, the companies are willing, but the system at the moment just doesn’t seem to be able to keep pace.”

Mr McConchie said with health and safety standards now higher and scaffolding used more widely the need was even greater.

“We’re building hanging scaffolds off 60, 80-metre buildings coming down from the top in central Auckland, we’re building grandstand seats for Rugby World Cups, Cricket World Cups. We’re building concert stages for the country’s biggest events.

“So it’s a serious business that needs to be done properly and there’s quite a bit of skill involved now.”

He said he was “optimistic” about the new apprenticeship scheme and planned on enrolling a few of his current labourers in the next few weeks.

- Advertisement -

Popular this week >

NASC and SAA Unite to Boost Global Scaffolding Standards

In a landmark move for the global scaffolding industry,...

TRAD UK Hits £30,000 in Annual Fundraising Challenge

The company raised target three times as employees and...

Doka Unveils Cutting-Edge Innovations Ahead of Bauma 2025

Austrian formwork and scaffolding giant Doka is preparing to...

Service and Support: The Values Driving Commercial Success for Layher Customers

Businesses overlook good customer relationships at their peril. It...

Layher Set to Showcase New Era of Scaffolding at Bauma 2025

Layher, the global scaffolding innovator, is preparing to make...
- Advertisements -

Related Articles >

New Scheme Aims to Transform Apprenticeship Experience in Construction

A new initiative designed to reward and support apprentices in the construction industry is being launched to help reshape how young people experience and engage with their early careers. Spearheaded by Kirsty Allan, Co-founder...

Latest Topics

Avontus Employee to Run London Half Marathon in Honour of Loved Ones

An employee at scaffolding software company Avontus is preparing...

Pilosio to Unveil Pioneering Scaffolding and Formwork Solutions at Bauma 2025

Italian construction solutions specialist Pilosio will unveil an extensive...

New Scheme Aims to Transform Apprenticeship Experience in Construction

A new initiative designed to reward and support apprentices...

Mark Parkin Joins Scaffolding Association as Strategic Director

The Scaffolding Association has appointed seasoned industry leader Mark...
- Advertisement -

Popular Categories