NZCB Future Leaders

NZCB Future Leaders

By Nick Matthews - Business Development Manager South Island

The Future Leaders initiative started as a discussion between New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) staff and apprentices taking part in our annual Apprentice Challenge competition.

The concept was to identify and develop emerging talent as the future leaders of NZCB by introducing them to the professional and business skills required to succeed in the industry.

The inaugural Future Leaders Programme saw 18 selected attendees assemble in Wellington on 22–23 October. While a handful of attendees have completed their apprenticeship and others are soon to follow, everyone is asking – what’s next? When asked ‘who aspires to become a self-employed business owner and/or run a building site within the next five years?’ it was surprising but pleasing to see all hands raised.

The two-day schedule was designed to extend and introduce the group to the next stage of their development. It included four keynote speakers, industry site visits to BRANZ and Parliament, and a networking activity. Many thanks to NZCB’s Zac Wilkinson and Adrian Reid for sharing your no-frills ‘School of Hard Knocks’ recipes for success.

Our thanks and appreciation to Derek Heard – General Manager Trade, Mitre 10, and Juliet Clendon – Senior Technical Advisor from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE), for presenting to the group, furthering knowledge and giving insight to the future of our industry.

On behalf of NZCB Chief Executive Grant Florence and all NZCB Members, we wish you all the best of luck. We look forward to having you as members of New Zealand’s only building trade association that requires a qualification for membership.