Building Sector Capabilities with the BCTF

In its first full year of implementing its strategy, the Building and Construction Training Fund (BCTF) has awarded over 55 scholarships to tradespeople pursuing advanced trade-related studies and provided governance training to more than 100 directors from its member constituency.

BCTF is an umbrella association representing 18 building and construction trade association members, focused on building capability across the industry by playing a lead role in advocacy for trade training, as well as supporting access to ongoing development opportunities.

BCTF Chief Executive Grant Florence says an organisation focused on capability-building beyond initial trade training, BCTF helps bridge an existing gap in the sector, especially given the uncertainties from further reform of vocational education.

“Supporting tradies and other professionals in the construction sector to do advanced study not only helps lift standards across the sector but is also one of the ways that we can retain valuable experience in the industry, by helping them develop and potentially progress into new roles.

“Similarly, the governance training that we’ve been providing helps to build leadership skills in-house, ensuring that boards have the ability to think strategically about the future of the industry,” says Florence.

Investing in Industry Futures

In 2024, BCTF has invested over $300,000.00 in its members’ governance training and scholarships for individuals undertaking NZQA Level 4 or above qualifications in specialist construction in a range of areas, such as Building Information Modelling, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Kitchen Design and Construction Law.

In addition, BCTF has also supported initiatives to share best practices, such as developing best practice guidelines, and commenced a longer-term project to identify and map construction career pathways as an input to developing solutions to retain skilled tradespeople in the industry.

“We’re doing what we can as an industry, but it’s also critical that the Government gets the latest round of vocational education and training reform right. We provided our feedback on the Government’s proposal for reform earlier in the year, sharing our view that the reform proposed does not go far enough to ensure that vocational education is truly industry-led to drive improved outcomes.

“This latest round of reform presents an opportunity to get things right, so BCTF is committed to ongoing engagement with the Government to ensure the voice of the industry, and ultimately learners in our sector is heard.”

In this context, BCTF would welcome further opportunities to engage with the Government on proposed VET reform prior to any decisions being made.

Extent of the BCTF

In 2024, BCTF awarded over 55 scholarships worth $160,000+ to individual learners and provided governance training to more than 100 board members from its member organisations. The foundation also contributed to developing best practice guidelines for the ceilings, cladding, and tiling sectors in New Zealand.

It supported the Construction Careers Pathway Development project to reduce industry turnover and identify emerging roles. Additionally, BCTF backed education and training activities at annual conferences, confirmed support for ongoing health and safety practices, and provided an industry-wide response to vocational education and training reform proposals