New Zealand is facing a significant skills shortage in the construction industry. The push to create more skilled tradespeople to meet this need has led to a range of tertiary education options. These combine theoretical and on-the-job-training apprenticeships that allow you to earn as you learn, resulting in a qualification that is respected and in-demand. Your career in construction can help to ensure employment, and permanent residency. Are you ready to talk to an expert about studying construction? Talk to us today!

Benefits of Studying Construction in NZ

In New Zealand, the construction industry is under pressure, with demand high for a variety of roles. Auckland is experiencing high growth and Christchurch is still requiring builders following the earthquakes.

As a result, if you gain a construction qualification, a full-time position should be readily available. Growth in the sector is continuing, enough that the Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List (CISSL) has been created to help satisfy the demand. The projected growth of the industry is 3% by 2023, and continuing at 1.7% by 1.7%, and NZ does not have the population to support the growth.

Adding to the crunch is that the number of qualifications completed locally are swiftly dropping, with only 900 people graduating at a level four qualification in 2018, not enough to satisfy the required levels of staffing needed.

In order to fill roles and help the construction industry meet the demand, some roles have been deemed ‘green list’. Qualified and skilled migrants can apply for work to residence visas or in some cases can move straight to residency.

NZ construction degrees are respected internationally, and can qualify you to live and work in other countries too, such as Australia.

There are long term and regional skill shortages for the following roles:

  • Construction project manager: Average salary of NZ$124,436 a year

  • Site foreman/ project managers: Average salary of NZ$115,630 a year

  • Quantity surveyor: Average salary of NZ$81,938 a year

  • Bricklayer: Average salary of NZ$26 per hour

  • Stonemason: Average salary of NZ$51,972 a year

  • Carpenter and joiner: Average salary of NZ$31 per hour

  • Plasterer: Average salary of NZ$27 per hour

  • Scaffolder: Average salary of NZ$27 per hour

Entry salary as an un-skilled construction labourer starts at around $48,000, and experienced and qualified workers can expect salaries of up to $65,000.

Construction Programs in New Zealand

Because there are so many different roles in construction, there are a huge variety of different courses and qualifications. While universities offer a more theoretical and academic approach, polytechnics offer more hands-on degree options which give you the skills needed to start working immediately, or a pathway to further education if desired.

ARA: Certificate in Construction Trade Skills – Carpentry

This one-year course teaches you all the basic skills you need to get out into the workforce. It equips you with the knowledge that employers want, and is the ideal pathway to an apprenticeship. Following completion of this certificate, ITAB will manage your 800 practical hours of carpentry on-the-job training to become fully qualified. This course requires a minimum of an IELTS score of 5.0 across all bands and costs NZ$23,656.

UCOL: New Zealand Diploma in Construction

This level six degree has construction management and quantity surveying strands, ideal for those wishing to take on senior roles in the industry. Over 12 months of full-time study, you’ll study communication, tendering processes, building materials, and a range of planning and management skills. This course requires an IELTS of 6.0 with no score less than 5.5, and costs NZ$21,500.

Unitec: Graduate Diploma in Construction Project Management

This level seven post-graduate diploma gives you specialised skills in project management that are highly in demand. You must be proficient in English, and either already have a relevant degree or a number of years’ experience in the field. This full-year course costs NZ$24,360.

Otago University: Bachelor of Surveying

Tis four-year degree is recognised world wide, and allows you to work as a land planner, and can allow you to specialise in remote sensing, land tenure systems, GIS studies, and photogrammetry. You must have an IELTS score of no less than 6.0, with no individual score below 5.5. This costs NZ36,390 per annum.

Construction in NZ: Your Pathway to PR

There are four ways to get PR in NZ while working in the construction industry.

  • Get qualified in NZ, get a post study work visa, and then a job in the construction industry and a permanent visa

  • Get your NZ qualification and then a role in the industry as a skilled migrant or under an accredited employer visa. Then, apply for PR after two years

  • Get an overseas qualification, complete relevant courses in NZ to ensure your skills are relevant and up to standard, and then apply for roles.

Get your NZ qualification and apply for a ‘green list role’. There are four construction roles that qualify you for a job and immediate permanent residency.

  • Construction project manager

  • Project builder

  • Quantity surveyor

  • Surveyor

Post Study Work Visa

This visa allows you to stay in NZ for up to three years post graduation. You can be working for any employer in any job, and looking for a relevant role in your career of choice.

Accredited Employer Work Visa

With a job offer from an accredited employer, you can stay for up to 30 months, and there may also be the option of fast tracking a work to residence visa. You must:

  • Have a full time job offer for a minimum of two years

  • The salary must be at least NZ$79,560

Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

This permanent resident visa uses a points based system to assess applications. You must:

  • Score at least 160 points

  • Meet character requirements

  • Have a job offer and take up employment within three months of arrival

  • Be 55 years old or younger

Long Term Skill Shortage List Resident Visa or Talent (accredited Employer) Resident Visa

These permanent visas can be applied for once you’ve worked in a skill-shortage role for at least two years.

Start Steps Towards Your Career- and NZ Permanent Residency- Today

If you’re serious about getting a construction qualification in New Zealand, contact us today. Whether it’s to work on the tools on site, or in planning and surveying, there are jobs to be filled. We can help you find the perfect education that can lead you into NZ PR.