Growth in building work means good opportunities for building contractors
Chances of getting a job as a building contractor are good due to:
- moderate growth in construction predicted to extend until at least the end of 2023, meaning more building contractor work
- the Government’s KiwiBuild programme, involving the building of quality, affordable homes over the next decade
- building work needed to upgrade leaky homes and earthquake-prone buildings.
However, like many building jobs this role can be affected by economic conditions. A downturn in the economy can lower demand for building contractors.
Building contractor on two skill shortage lists
The roles of project builder, building project manager and site foreman (building contractor) appear on Immigration New Zealand's long-term skill and construction and infrastructure skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled building contractors from overseas to work in New Zealand.
According to the Census, 34,344 building contractors worked in New Zealand in 2018.
Chances best with management experience
You can increase your chances of becoming a building contractor by:
- getting qualified in building supervision and building technology
- getting management experience on building sites
Self employment usual among building contractors
Building contractors work directly for clients, or as subcontractors to larger building firms.
