Building careers are calling

Rikki Brownrigg says it's a good time to take up a building apprenticeship. Photo / Ben Fraser

Thirty-five aspiring Rotorua builders and construction workers started apprenticeships last year, contributing to a record high of more than 5000 new apprentices nationwide.

The apprentices, who registered with the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation, will be trained in fields such as bricklaying, carpentry, masonry, plastering, painting and decorating.

GRB Construction apprentice Rikki Brownrigg said it was a good time to do an apprenticeship as there was a lot of building activity going on around the country.

"Christchurch is obviously busy and there's lots of new development going on in Auckland so there's plenty of work."

The 23-year-old Rotorua resident began his apprenticeship two years ago. He hopes to eventually become a site manager.

"It's good to be outside and I like getting to go where the jobs are. It means you get to move around a lot."

Building and Construction ITO chief executive Ruma Karaitiana said strong economic activity and demand for construction work had driven apprentice numbers up.

"The construction industry has been running hot for the last 18 months or so," he said. "The growth was initially fuelled by Christchurch but in 2014 we saw a lift across the whole country."

The growth was particularly evident in Auckland and other parts of the upper North Island, he said.

"The story of Auckland is a story of high demand, a shortage of houses and a general inability to catch up. It's been great for us as the majority of our trainees are trained in residential sector so when residential sector really kicks off, like it has in Auckland, there's a lot of opportunities for our apprentices."

A Government "reboot" programme - which offered employers and apprentices subsidies of up to $2000 to help with the cost of training - had also helped boost numbers, he said. The programme finished on December 31.

However demand for apprentices still outweighed the number of people taking up apprenticeships, he said.

"If you're thinking about doing a trade, now's perhaps the best time in the history of the industry to get yourself trained and established."