Can’t find skilled staff? Train them

As building and infrastructure projects begin to move from planning to delivery across New Zealand, one issue continues to concern the industry: where will the skilled workforce come from? For many smaller building and engineering businesses, finding experienced staff is often the biggest barrier to taking on more work. Rather than competing in a tight labour market, some employers are taking a more practical approach – building capability from within. By investing in apprenticeships and structured workplace training, companies can develop the skilled people they need while reducing their exposure to persistent labour shortages.

For Canterbury engineering exporter Sutton Tools (NZ), that strategy has proven invaluable.

An unwavering commitment to training and development has helped keep the company competitive through a series of major challenges – including the Canterbury earthquakes, a global pandemic and, in 2022, a fire that destroyed its Kaiapoi factory. Today, the future looks brighter with a new purpose-built facility in Rangiora and a forward-focused masterplan designed to expand production and deepen technical capability.

Sutton Tools manufactures high-quality cutting tools used across building, engineering and infrastructure industries, with products exported globally from its New Zealand, Australian and European facilities.

A long-standing partnership with industry training organisation Competenz has played a key role in building the company’s workforce capability. Over more than three decades, Sutton Tools – working closely with Competenz – has trained hundreds of staff through apprenticeships and workplace training across engineering, manufacturing, leadership and health and safety.

Production Manager Brian McCallum is one example of how that investment pays off. Now nearing 25 years with the company, he has completed multiple training programmes and is currently working towards his New Zealand Apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering (Fitting and Machining).

“I went to Sutton for work experience when I was 17 and I never left,” says Brian. “Over the years I’ve been given opportunities to gain qualifications and take on different roles within the business.”

Those opportunities have included temporarily relocating to Australia following the factory fire to support operations at Sutton’s Melbourne plant.

Despite the challenges the company has faced, Brian says the workplace culture has always remained strong.

“I love the culture here and the way they respect and value their employees. It sounds cheesy, but we’re like a family. When people are given opportunities to grow, they feel valued – and that lifts productivity as well.”

Sutton Plant Manager Glenn Morgan, who has been with the company for 32 years, says investing in people is both good business and a personal commitment.

“To me it’s about personal growth,” he says. “You look at someone like Brian – he’s intelligent and capable of achieving anything. Training gives him the chance to develop those skills and build qualifications alongside his experience.”

For Glenn, supporting staff development is also about future-proofing careers.

“If something ever happened and someone had to move on, I want them to have qualifications that back up their experience. It’s about helping people succeed in life.”

Competenz Training Advisor Euan Main works closely with the business and says Sutton Tools stands out for its commitment to workforce development.

“Sutton Tools is a real success story,” he says. “They’re a global exporter operating from a small Canterbury town, yet they’ve consistently invested in developing their people and advancing their skills.”

That culture of learning extends beyond apprenticeships. Shorter traineeships also provide employees with practical skills and formal qualifications that support career development and operational capability.

Packing Coordinator Rebecca Hall is currently completing a New Zealand Certificate in Business (Introduction to Team Leadership) Level 3.

“I’ve always wanted to be a team leader and this course is helping me get there,” she says. “It’s teaching me a lot about leadership and giving me the tools I need to do the job well.”

Rebecca joined Sutton Tools at 18 and, like many colleagues, sees her future firmly with the company.

“My mum started here when she was 18 as well, and my nana worked here too. It’s fair to say it’s a pretty good place to work.”

For Sutton Tools, investing in skills is not simply about training – it’s about building a workforce capable of supporting the industries that rely on them, including building and infrastructure.