CGF Monthly News | August 2026

New Tools, Training and Funding Opportunities

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This month’s newsletter brings together practical tools and development opportunities designed to strengthen our member associations, construction businesses and the people who lead them.

We introduce the Employer Toolkit, a new CGF-managed resource supporting employers across the employee lifecycle. We also have a few remaining places available for Governance Essentials training, while eligible construction business owners can apply for up to 12 months of fully funded support through Business Mentors New Zealand. Round Two of the CGF General Scholarships will open on 1 October.

We also look ahead to ConstrucTrend 2026. CGF has commissioned Tiria to continue this important workforce research, building on the insights gathered by ConCOVE Tūhura. Participating member associations will hear from us soon about helping distribute the survey. Please explore these opportunities and share them with the people in your networks who could benefit.

Helping construction employers build stronger teams

The Employer Toolkit is now owned and managed by the Construction Growth Foundation (CGF).

Originally developed by the Food & Fibre Centre of Vocational Excellence, this practical online resource will be progressively updated with information and tools tailored to New Zealand’s construction sector.

The toolkit provides employers, managers and supervisors with guidance across six key stages of the employee lifecycle:

• Attracting and onboarding the right people

• Workplace wellbeing and culture

• Māori cultural confidence

• Mentorship and coaching

• Training and development

• Employer obligations

With only around one-quarter of new entrants remaining in the construction and infrastructure workforce after five years, retaining and developing great people is critical.

The Employer Toolkit can help businesses create supportive workplaces, improve job satisfaction, strengthen productivity and build teams that stay.

Please share this resource with your members and encourage them to explore the toolkit.

Governance Training – A Few Places Still Available

Registrations are open for CGF’s next Governance Essentials programme, taking place on Wednesday 28 October 2026 at Rydges Wellington Airport.

Delivered in partnership with the Institute of Directors, this one-day intensive course is tailored to the construction sector. It is designed for directors, trustees and emerging leaders who want to strengthen their governance knowledge, decision-making and confidence.

James Woods, former Southern Region Chair of NZIOB (now Building Institute Aotearoa), says the course added value even after eight years of board experience:

“It reinforces existing knowledge and builds confidence in the way you operate.”

CGF covers the course fees, travel, accommodation and meals for nominated participants from its member associations.

Only a few places remain, so we encourage interested members to register soon.

Business Mentors support extended

Running a construction business can feel isolating, but you do not have to work through every challenge alone.

CGF continues its partnership with Business Mentors New Zealand, giving eligible construction business owners access to up to 12 months of one-to-one mentoring at no cost. CGF covers the $295+GST registration fee, and participants are matched with an experienced mentor based on their business needs, sector and region.

Mentoring can support business strategy, financial management, profitability, marketing, team development and confidence. The programme is open to business owners with fewer than 20 full-time staff who are members of, or employed by, a CGF member association.

Mentoring can be delivered in person or virtually. Spaces are limited, and applications close on 30 September 2026.

CGF General Scholarships: Round Two coming soon

Planning to invest in further study, professional development or leadership training? Round Two of the 2026 CGF General Scholarships opens on 1 October.

Scholarships of up to $3,000 are available to individuals who are members of, or employed by, a CGF member association and are undertaking construction-related education or training beyond NZQA Level 4.

Funding can support qualifications, short courses and targeted development across areas such as construction management, supervision, leadership, governance, digital construction, sustainability, business capability and specialist technical skills. It may also contribute to course fees, required equipment and materials, research expenses or study-related living costs.

Applications close on 20 October 2026.

ConstrucTrend 2026: Building the next picture of our workforce

The Construction Growth Foundation is preparing to continue the important work started by ConCOVE Tūhura, with the second round of ConstrucTrend research beginning soon. 

Research agency Tiria has been commissioned to deliver ConstrucTrend 2026, gathering fresh insights from tradespeople and employers across New Zealand’s carpentry, electrical, plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industries. In addition to these trades, two specialist trades will be added to get a broader perspective (exact trades TBC).

ConstrucTrend examines the skills employers and workers have today, the capability gaps affecting businesses, and the training and technologies likely to shape the sector over the next five years. 

The 2025 research found that technical trade skills remain a strength. However, it also highlighted the need for greater development in areas such as leadership, financial management, costing and quoting, marketing, planning and broader business capability. 

Emerging technologies are another growing priority. Artificial Intelligence, smart building systems, digital tools and sustainable technologies are changing how construction businesses operate and the skills their people will need. 

By updating this research, CGF will provide industry associations, employers, training providers and government agencies with current evidence to guide workforce planning, training investment and policy development. 

CGF will contact participating member associations in the coming weeks to assist with distributing the online survey. Your support will help us reach employers and tradespeople across the country and build a clear picture of the sector’s changing workforce needs. 

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