12. CHRIS AUCHINVOLE (National—West Coast - Tasman) Link to this
to the Minister for Building and Construction
What recent developments have been made to help tradespeople become licensed building practitioners?
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON (Minister for Building and Construction) Link to this
As part of the licensed building practitioner scheme an online service has been launched by the Department of Building and Housing. The website will allow licensed building practitioners to register online, edit their profiles, and update their skills and expertise. Licensed building practitioners are an essential part of bringing a qualified professional workforce to the building and construction sector. Under the restricted work programme, which commences in March of next year, only a licensed building practitioner will be able to carry out and/or supervise the design and construction of restricted building work. Anybody else who does so will be acting illegally.
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON Link to this
This database will double as a tool for consumers to check whether practitioners are licensed and a means for them to obtain the latest information about them. The licensed building practitioner scheme will be important for the Christchurch rebuild. Of the 8,848 licences already issued, over 2,000 have been issued to licensed practitioners in the Christchurch area.
Phil TwyfordHas the Minister heard reports that many builders are reluctant to be licensed because of the expense and the paperwork; if so, has he considered automatically registering experienced builders in the licensing regime, to shift the burden of the paperwork from the builders on to his department?
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON Link to this
I heard those complaints at the very beginning of the system, but we have streamlined it dramatically since those complaints were heard. I am now told by a huge number of people from the industry, including master builders, certified builders, and others, that the online registration tools, the ability to update their profiles online, and the quite significantly reduced fee structure that we brought in place have been really good steps in the right direction.
What feedback has he received from builders around the country about reports that thousands of builders from Indonesia and the Philippines are heading to New Zealand since his Government slashed trade training, and will these overseas builders qualify under his licensing scheme?
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON Link to this
I have not heard anything about a flood of people from Indonesia of any sort, but, by the same token, if they are qualified builders, they apply to become licensed building practitioners, and they have the skills and the competence, we will welcome them because we will need those skills for both the Christchurch rebuild and a lot of work around the rest of the country.