Case Study: Building Institute Aotearoa
From Linear Paths to Braided Rivers: How CGF is Transforming Construction Careers
The Invisible Career Crisis
Picture this: You're a talented structural draftsperson who's mastered 3D modelling. You're the go-to person for BIM in your firm. But there's nowhere left to grow.
Or you're a graduate staring at the construction industry, unable to see where your skills could take you beyond that first job title.
The construction industry has a retention problem. And it stems from a visibility problem.
Talented professionals don't leave because they hate the work. They leave because they can't see where they're going.
He Awa Whiria: A Braided River Approach
When Building Institute Aotearoa identified this critical gap, they created something different: a framework that fundamentally reimagines construction careers.
The Built Environment Career Streams project, developed by Dr Kathryn Davies with the University of Canterbury's Building Innovation Partnership, Building Institute Aotearoa and the Construction Growth Foundation, takes inspiration from New Zealand's braided rivers.
Just like rivers that twist, merge, and separate across our landscape, careers in construction aren't meant to be single straight lines. They're dynamic, interconnected streams where you can enter, specialise, transition, and lead throughout your working life.
Research-Led, Not Guesswork
This isn't theory, and it's built on in-depth interviews with construction professionals, industry surveys, and analysis of actual career progression patterns.
The framework covers eight career streams: Architecture, Engineering, Building Compliance, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Project Management, Building Information Modelling (BIM) Management, and Building Operations.
For each stream, you get:
Day-to-day role descriptions and salary bands
Required skills and qualifications
Real career stories from professionals who've made the journey
Visual pathway maps showing entry points, transitions, and destination roles
All available free at becareerstreams.nz
Real Stories, Real Impact
Sam Henderson studied mechanical engineering without knowing where it would lead. As a structural draftsman, he became the BIM specialist everyone turned to, but hit a ceiling. The framework would have shown him years earlier that an independent BIM consultancy was a viable path. Today, he runs his own digital construction company.
Cara Daggar studied architecture but didn't fit the mould. After deliberately gaining site experience, she discovered her strength was fusing digital coordination with practical construction knowledge. After years defining a role that didn't officially exist, she launched Kea Construction Technology and bridged the digital environment and building site.
"At the start when I was thrust into these big projects, it was quite daunting... but also really gratifying and confidence building once I got into the flow of it." — Sam Henderson
Why the CGF Investment Matters
By backing this initiative, CGF addressed a fundamental question: How do we keep talented people in our industry when they can't see where they're going?
The answer isn't higher starting salaries or flashier recruitment. It's showing people the braided river and the multiple, flexible, interconnected routes that allow them to build meaningful, long-term careers.
This project strengthens the sector through:
Retention Through Visibility — When professionals see their next move (and the one after that), they stay in the industry.
Strategic Skill Development — Organisations can design professional development around actual pathways, not random training.
Better Career Guidance — Schools and tertiary institutions can show students the full landscape of opportunities.
Cross-Stream Movement — The framework shows how skills transfer between streams, turning "dead ends" into "pivot points."
Industry Cohesion — A shared understanding of career structures creates a more sustainable, professional sector.
Who Benefits?
Graduates and recent graduates exploring their options
Career advisors and educators guiding the next generation
Employers wanting to retain talent and show clear progression
Learning and development professionals designing pathways
Career changers considering construction opportunities
Whether you're a school leaver, mid-career professional, or employer designing career frameworks, it's all accessible at becareerstreams.nz
The Bigger Picture
This project represents everything Construction Growth Foundation stands for: supporting the sector (not just individual companies), investing in long-term capability, making opportunities accessible to everyone, and building a cohesive, professional industry.
CGF exists to empower the construction industry to take on more technical and professional roles. The Built Environment Career Streams project does exactly that, by making those roles visible, achievable, and interconnected.
What's Next?
The framework is live. The tools are available. The pathways are clear.
For individuals: Explore the career streams. See where you could go. Talk to your employer about your development pathway.
For employers: Integrate these frameworks into your professional development programmes. Show your team their future with your company.
For educators: Use these resources to show students the full landscape of construction careers.
For the industry: Share this resource. The more people who understand these pathways, the stronger our sector becomes.
Explore the Built Environment Career Streams
Visit: https://becareerstreams.nz/
This project was funded by Construction Growth Foundation and developed by Dr Kathryn Davies in collaboration with the University of Canterbury's Building Innovation Partnership and Building Institute Aotearoa.