Economic circumstances in Tairāwhiti, exacerbated by COVID-19 lockdowns, had left many people without work and for some, without the skills to gain alternative employment. A $50m support package through the Provincial Growth Fund was announced for the region to upgrade infrastructure and create jobs.

Working alongside Council, we provided cost assurance and programme design and delivery for roading improvements and hazardous tree removal, which had been allocated $27m of funding. The objective was to develop in-house and local capability that would provide long-term resilience in the workforce and the region. We:

• Created an internal team comprising a programme manager, project management and procurement personnel, health and safety and environmental expertise, and HR advisors
• Assisted local businesses with recruitment, giving them the skills and knowledge to continue post-programme
• Helped contractors to design and manage appropriate health and safety systems
• Trained new recruits in NVQ Unit standards to qualify them to give them the skills to find work post-the funding period
• Supported local contractors in bid-writing, enabling them to tender for work competitively against Tier 1 contractors.

The programme resulted in the creation of 117 roles across all skillsets. In addition, many people retained their jobs in those organisations post funded projects.

Services: Programme design & delivery | Procurement | Construction monitoring | Cost assurance

Team: Paul Duffy