No dedicated industry pathway for young people into construction, an industry with a severe workforce shortage
Employment pathways are designed top down and are rarely shaped by the voices of those who are asked to follow them. In the context of construction, this means the talent pipeline is decreasing in numbers and diversity – challenging the status quo of how the industry is attracting and retaining talent.
The CBD Jobs & Skills Hub was governed by ten organisations and groups across government, industry and mana whenua, chaired by ATEED. Schools, employers and funders each hold knowledge and expertise that can inform the way forward. Each perspective had to be included to ensure a desirable and viable solution was being funded going forward to solve both a youth employment challenge and an industry growth barrier.
Meanwhile, Auckland, already short of construction workers, needed about 28,000 more within six years. At the same time, 11.8% of 15 to 24-year-olds were not in education, employment or training, against 4.5% general unemployment.
What we did
Reframr led the co-design process that brought students, school staff, employers and industry into the same conversation, so lived experience and subject matter expertise could inform the shape of the education to industry pathway.
- Mixed method research, including primary and secondary research
- Ran co-design workshops that turned what we heard into 12 solution concepts
- Tested each concept with schools and employers
- Shaped a selection into one three-phase school engagement programme
The results
The partners had one programme, informed by the voice of students and industry that they could jointly support.
- A three-phase school engagement programme: Activate in the first two years, then Integrate and Scale
- Early interest from employers and schools in taking part, including Wynyard Edge Alliance, City Rail Link, Auckland Girls’ Grammar and Manurewa High School
