Hutt City Council hosts first regional construction and infrastructure workforce collaboration meet up

Hutt City written in dark blue with a representation of the river between Hutt and City. In smaller dark blue text below is Te Awa Kairangi. The logo is presented on a mid-blue background with light blue topographical markings. banner image
Council

Published: 16 October 2023

On Tuesday afternoon we hosted a workforce workshop with over 60 construction and infrastructure employers, educators and regional colleagues at the first Wellington regional group for the industry.

Group of people sitting around tables in a room

It was arguably the first time we had over a dozen of the major contractors across the region in one room and brought together discussion from Kapiti, Porirua, Wellington and Wairarapa. Having attended a previous sector meet up, James Lamb, our head of business and economy put his hand up to lead the first workshop on behalf of the Wellington Regional Skills Leadership Group - an advisory group championing partnerships and innovation for a skilled and inclusive workforce, prosperity and resilience for all.

We’ve leaned in to this kaupapa to support our own ambitious work programme and goals for housing and infrastructure across our city – as well as recognising we will rely on a team effort as a region to achieve this. The release of the Wellington regional future development strategy the day before provided more reason to team up.

Te Wai Takamori o Te Awakairangi Riverlink Alliance Director Brian Kirtlan inspired the group with a story of hugely impressive collaboration after the Kaikoura earthquake to get key transport routes back open.

Brian’s insight from being the project director was also a challenge to us all about it not taking a natural disaster to create collaboration at scale. Recognising this discussion amongst the group quickly got on to how we could getting everyone in behind collective milestones and creating leadership together in programming and clustering work across our cities, agencies and employers. A dozen topics raised by attendees will ensure there’s plenty to get on with. Watch this space.