| 69 Havelock North Construction BUILDING Kelly Deeks Attracting, retaining staff a challenge A current project for the Havelock North Construction team brings together a tulipwood weatherboard system, black Eurotray roofing and Crittal steel and aluminium joinery. Havelock North Construction in Hawke’s Bay, which builds high-end architectural new build and renovation projects, provides apprentices and experienced builders alike with multiple opportunities to upskill and problem-solve on the job site. Since 2001, Rob Liddle of Havelock North Construction has been helping clients to turn their ideas and dreams into beautiful, practical reality, with a range of options to suit different tastes and budgets. A current project has brought the Havelock North Construction team some interesting materials to work with and some intricate detailing to hone their precision. The home is clad with a tulipwood weatherboard system and features black matt Eurotray roofing and Crittal steel and aluminium joinery. Rob says aligning the steel work with the frames and trusses has required a high level of attention to detail and exact measurements from the Havelock North Construction team. Rob says attracting and retaining staff has been really hard going in the construction industry for many years, and in the past two to three years even more so. “We can only compete on wages until a certain point, so we compete with a company culture that focuses on the wellbeing and development of our staff. I am out there working with them, helping them to run jobs and knocking off early on Fridays so I can take them to the pub for a couple of beers.” Rob realised he couldn’t grow Havelock North Construction without new staff, and they have approached this issue from outside the square. Existing staff are part of the recruitment process, not only having their say on new recruits, but also recommending Havelock North Construction as a preferred employer within their own networks. Havelock North Construction takes on at least one new apprentice every year, often from high school gateway programmes. Rob says Government funding through the Mana in Mahi programme is a really fantastic bonus for apprentices they would take on anyway, but the high school gateway programmes would bring more benefit not only to the construction industry if they offered two or three intakes every year. “It’s a great system, but I would love to have another opportunity to try someone else during the year, especially if the first intake decides building isn’t the job for them,” Rob says. Rob is proud to provide a relaxed learning environment for apprentices as well as the qualified members of the team. He says for a long time, the construction industry has been plagued with bureaucracy and bullying issues, but thankfully, this situation is starting to change. “And it comes from the top,” he says. “It’s my view I am here to help and guide my team. I always tell them we are family, because that’s how much we mean to each other.” Other recent changes in the construction industry Rob refuses to adopt. In the past six months, as prices keep rising and rising, the uncertainty in the market has forced other construction firms to stop providing fixed quotes. “We still do fixed quotes, and it’s still working in this environment, as long as you have an understanding client,” Rob says. “It’s all organisation. You’ve got to plan ahead six months in advance.” 06 877 8141 / 021 707 067 info@havelocknorthconstruction.co.nz www.havelocknorthconstruction.co.nz Domestic • Commercial • Industrial Covering the Hawkes’ Bay Area 201 Jervois Street, HASTINGS | P: (06) 878 9332 E: hastings@laserelectrical.co.nz businesscentral Each edition priority delivered to your door. . Stay informed; we work with business owners and decision-makers across all economic sectors, pro iling their success. i ; i i i i - ll i , ili i . www.waterfordpress.co.nz/subscriptions . . . i i 03 983 5525 03 983 5525 Your Business, Your Industry, Your News. Volume 6 | Issue 2 | April 2021 www.waterfordpress.co.nz ‘Excellence in Energy’ Taranaki’s Todd Energy will have a key role to play as New Zealand moves toward a low emissions economy. Page 8 Waikato farmers Dean & Ang Finnerty have expanded their dairy cow operation into a successful goat milking enterprise as well PAGE 10 Turning challenge into opportunity AUTUMN 2022 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Volume 6 | Issue 3 | July 2021 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Making waves Back on track New Zealand hydrofoil maker Armstrong is generating interest around the world with its high performance products. Work on the ambitious NZCIS facility in Upper Hutt is progressing well after Covid disruptions. PAGE 70 PAGE 10 Healthy delivery A new elective surgery facility in Hastings will provide a big boost to the region’s operating capacity. PAGE 52 Volume 6 | Issue 5 | December 2021 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Cheers Boys! YoungWellington irm3Māori Boys is creating a buzz with it’s ground-breakingWai Manuka natural beverage. PAGE 45 Passion and pride New Plymouth’s Energyworks has forged a strong reputation in 50 years of business. 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