Source: New Zealand Government
Good afternoon and thank you for inviting me to speak to you today.
It’s a great honour to be here, marking the sixtieth anniversary of the Engineering Associates Registration Board.
I would like to acknowledge the Chair from the first meeting held on 22 August 1962, Cyril John Mulley Choat, and the then-Minister of Works, the Honourable William Stanley Goosman.
I would also like to thank my predecessor, the Honourable Poto Williams, for all her work in the Building and Construction portfolio.
And finally, many thanks to the Chair of the Engineering Associates Registration Board, Deborah Cranko, and Registrar, Roger Woods, for inviting me today.
The Engineering Associates Registration Board plays a vital role, protecting the public from harm through well-executed work in the building and construction sector.
It’s quite an achievement to have reached your 60-year anniversary.
A Registered Engineering Associate is a credential that is internationally recognised.
Registration meets the international standards of the Sydney and Dublin Accords for academic programmes for engineering technologists and engineering technicians.
It is a mark of quality for industry professionals who are committed to life-long education, competency development and a code of ethics.
Since 1962, over 5,900 applicants have successfully gained this credential. The credential tells people they can trust that the work done by a Registered Engineering Associate will be up to standard and has been done by a qualified, competent individual.
Registered Engineering Associates are like the ‘glue’ in the engineering and science industries in Aotearoa New Zealand.
They are the quiet achievers who deliver high-quality technical engineering services.
There will always be a need for the skills of engineering technicians and technologists.
Being here celebrating this milestone, I’m sure you have witnessed and been part of many changes to the sector.
I am excited to be leading changes that will further reinforce the important role that engineering associates play in New Zealand.
As you are aware, Cabinet has agreed to proposals to reform the occupational regulation of engineers.
A new two-tier regime of registration and licensing is being designed.
Registration will require all individuals providing professional engineering services to be registered, to ensure a baseline level of professionalism.
A new licensing regime will ensure engineers who practice in high-risk fields are experienced and competent.
Cabinet also decided that the new regime will establish a separate register for Registered Engineering Associates to be administered by the new regulator.
The new regime will protect the title of Registered Engineering Associate or its equivalent.
It will provide for a fair transition for current Registered Engineering Associates to be registered on the new register.
I appreciate the Engineering Associates Registration Board concerns about timeframes for the new regime and the need for certainty of inclusion of registered engineering associates into the new regime.
I intend to introduce a Bill to reform the occupational regulation of engineers in early 2023 and prioritise its progress through the House.
The Bill will contain further detail about how registered engineering associates will be transitioned into the regime.
I expect that establishing the new governance arrangements, and a register for professional engineers and registered engineering associates will be among the first tasks.
I want to thank you for your input into our work to reform how engineers are regulated in New Zealand.
I’d also like to thank my officials for their work in progressing the reforms to improve the regulatory regime for the engineering industry.
I reassure you that we will continue to engage with the Engineering Associates Registration Board throughout this process.
The success of the new regime relies heavily on the professionals in this field contributing their views and experiences.
There is currently a shortage of capable technicians and technologists in the engineering sector.
Investment in skills and training to support and grow the construction sector is a top priority for the Government.
We have invested in a range of initiatives to work with the industry on this, through the Construction Sector Accord’s Transformation Plan 2022-2025 and the Reform of Vocational Education.
Supporting home grown skills and talent is vital for the future of the construction sector.
It is important that we keep training engineering technicians and technologists to ensure we have a future pipeline of talent in this sector.
The reopening of New Zealand’s border will also directly affect the supply of qualified people for engineering roles.
The engineering profession is strongly represented in the new ‘Green List’ as part of the Government’s rebalance of the immigration system.
The Green List will provide a streamlined and prioritised pathway to New Zealand residency.
As a Government, we acknowledge that maintaining a base of skilled engineering professionals here is critical for construction, infrastructure, and many other parts of the economy.
I would like to close by again acknowledging the invaluable role of engineering associates, as we work towards building a safe and efficient building sector.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be part of this event today.
I congratulate you on reaching this milestone and the contribution you have made to the sector over this time.
Enjoy the rest of your 60-year anniversary.
