Event organisers ‘pledge’ 1000+ new build jobs

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buildnz | designex, NZ’s largest trade show for the construction industry, kicks off in around two weeks’ time, with organisers heralding a new challenge for the industry to pledge 1000 new construction jobs and apprenticeships across the three-day event.

Show organisers XPO Exhibitions are marketing the message to construction and design industry employers to make a “pledge” to sign new apprentices to their company — which can be made on the web site www.buildnz.com/pledge.

And it’s not just all talk — buildnz | designex, which runs from June 25 to 27 at the ASB Showgrounds in Greenland, Auckland, has more than 50,000 builders, designers and architects on the show database whom they’ll be approaching.

Combine that with initiative partner heavyweight the BCITO, an organisation purposely engineered to match high potential candidates with construction and design employers, and you’ve got a potent collaboration working towards this ambitious aim.

 

Telethon-style apprentice pledging

Show director Tony Waite says XPO is going to be running a “Telethon”-style campaign across social media, email and direct mail campaigns, asking show visitor employers to “pledge” — or sign up — for a face-to-face conversation with the BCITO about opening their doors to new apprenticeships.

“Those build and design related companies who do pledge will get the chance to meet with potential candidates at the show’s Recruitment and Growth Hub onsite,” Mr Waite says.

“Likewise, we’ll be encouraging prospective new apprentices to drop by the show to find out more about the construction and design industries and the opportunities out there.”

The buildnz | designex event is free to attend for industry professionals, with three full days of seminars included, and more than 250 exhibiting companies showcasing the latest and greatest construction and design materials, solutions and services in more than 15,000sq m of floor space.

Historically, the show attracts more than 6000-plus builders, architects, designers, planners, developers and construction professionals across the three days. And with the very strong building pipeline in Auckland and across the nation, the organisers remain confident that attendance will grow.

“What’s different about this year is we’re connecting visitors with prospective employers, and giving those employers the tools and confidence to take on new staff with a journey of support provided by the BCITO and other industry partners such as the Registered Master Builders Association,” Mr Waite says.

The show is running three full days of free seminars from industry leaders, and a bevy of show features such as interactive build zones, demonstrations and new product showcasing.

The industry leadership Build Summit will run on the Monday and Tuesday, exploring more of the industry’s macro challenges and opportunities.

In Hall One, the show will co-locate the National Safety Show with another full schedule of free seminars and safety solutions for the industry.

Event organisers are quick to point out the celebration of true kiwi innovation in design and construction. One example is a free keynote seminar from Professor Mark Burry, a New Zealand-born architect who enjoys enormous international recognition as the Professor of Urban Futures at the University of Melbourne, and as Senior Architect and Researcher at La Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, Spain.

“Every great New Zealander who reaches the kind of professional heights that Professor Burry has achieved in a lifetime had to start somewhere,” Mr Waite says.

“Someone had to give that person their first opportunity or apprenticeship. We’re hoping the initiative we’re bringing to buildnz is a catalyst for a new generation of industry heroes.”

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