Infrastructure Trades Academy provision across Aotearoa New Zealand

Without coordinated central planning and monitoring of Trades Academy¹ provision, we’re not offering young people the opportunity to see infrastructure as a viable career path.  Trades Academy programmes span several industries, with just over 15% of places in the construction and infrastructure sectors and just a fraction of those places specifically focused on infrastructure.  

Most of the South Island and the entire East Coast² of the North Island are without Trades Academy provision in infrastructure. These regions are expected to continue to have high demand for a skilled workforce in infrastructure, especially given Te Waihanga’s (Infrastructure Commission) National Infrastructure Pipeline Plan. 

ConCOVE’s report on workforce entry points highlighted the benefits of consistent exposure to support school leavers in transitioning into meaningful employment.  

2024 Infrastructure Trades Academy Provision in Aotearoa New Zealand 

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¹ Trades Academies (Secondary-Tertiary Partnerships) are designed to engage young people in education while providing them with the practical vocational skills and training necessary for success in the workforce.

²Te Wānanga o Aotearoa are looking to pilot a civil infrastructure programme in the Bay of Plenty region in 2025.