Purpose -In the light of international skills shortages at different levels of the construction industry, this research assesses solutions to skills shortages in the construction industry drawing on research from New Zealand. Design/methodology/approach -The way in which the research objectives were achieved was a mix of qualitative and quantitative research. Grounded theory technique was used in the research. Findings -New Zealand currently uses a variety of techniques to tackle construction industry skills shortages, such as increased wages, overseas recruitment and reformatting training requirements, but still there is a shortage of skilled and semi-skilled workers for the construction industry. The results of the in-depth interviews of leading practitioners in New Zealand show how different sectorsgovernment, education and industry -provide different solutions but that ultimately a joint focus on education and training will have the biggest long-term impact on skills shortages. Practical implications -The paper serves as an illustration to other countries on how New Zealand is solving the construction industry skills shortages. These solutions have practical implications for other countries. Originality/value -The research provides an original assessment of the types of shortages faced in New Zealand and the ways in which they can be solved.

Occupational licensing for the building industry is being introduced in New Zealand. This research assesses whether the licensing regime being put into place in New Zealand would require new skills when voluntary licensing (2007) and compulsory licensing (by 2011) are introduced. The paper develops a deeper understanding of the effects of occupational licensing on an industry, above those of increased quality and training, to determine the effects of licensing on future skills needs in the New Zealand building industry. The results of the in-depth interviews of35 leading practitioners in the New Zealand show how occupational licensing will affect skills in the industry in two main ways: increase professionalism and increased specializa ioin skills. The impact on the New Zealand bU1Id1ng industry willbe to force a change in the working practices, increasing the move to offsite . prefabrication and change the types of sk1lls the industry requires. The paper serves as an . illustration to other countries on how changes 1n legislation, and the introduction of regulation for an industry, alter the working practices of that industry.