Executive Summary 

This update from Skills Group provides insight into current workforce trends across the PGD sector. While building work has slowed, demand for qualified plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers remains strong as water infrastructure and building services become increasingly critical. This briefing looks at apprenticeship numbers, where the work is heading, and what’s driving demand for PGD skills.

 

What This Chart Shows: This chart tracks Skills Group’s apprentice numbers and shows something important – despite the building slowdown, apprentice numbers have remained stable. Starting with 802 apprentices, we’ve had 81 new sign-ups, with 24 completing their training, 49 leaving before completion, and 16 put on hold – leaving us with 794 at the end of April (down less than 1%).

 

What’s Happening Around the Country

  • Christchurch is our newest site, and numbers are steadily growing
  • Auckland has remained stable and by far has the most apprentices despite the slowdown
  • Dunedin now has a good base to develop from
  • Otaki services the lower North Island and numbers are now stabilising after an extended period of growth

 

Highbrook Skills Hub Opening

Skills Group proudly opened its third purpose-built campus in Highbrook, a state-of-the-art electrical training facility celebrated with industry leaders, students, and Minister Erica Stanford, marking a major step in our commitment to growing New Zealand’s skilled trades workforce.

 

Where the Work is Going

While residential building has slowed, several other areas are creating solid work for plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers:

Government Projects Coming Online:
  • Fast-track Approvals Act covering 149 major projects including 55,000 new homes
  • $22 billion for 17 major road projects across the country
  • Water infrastructure upgrades creating work nationwide
  • All these projects need qualified PGD tradespeople from start to finish
Growing Work Areas: 
  • Aging building upgrades and retrofits (many 1980s-90s commercial buildings reaching end of life)
  • Smart water systems and leak detection technology
  • Trenchless “no-dig” pipe repair and replacement
  • Lead-free plumbing installations (mandatory from May 2026)
  • Renewable gas infrastructure, including hydrogen blending trials

 

Industry Numbers from TEC

  • Level 4 PGD learners across all providers: 3,960 (down from 5,225 in 2024)
  • Skills Group has 845 of these learners (21%)

 

New Training for Growth Areas

Skills Group’s new Level 4 New Zealand Certificate in Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying provides comprehensive training across all three disciplines, including practical training in new technologies like smart water systems and sustainable building practices becoming standard across the industry.

 

Looking Ahead

While the construction forecast shows continued adjustment through 2025, the demand for PGD work looks solid for several reasons:

  • Much of New Zealand’s building stock needs upgrading or replacement
  • Water infrastructure requires significant investment due to high leakage rates
  • Energy transition creating new opportunities in renewable gas systems
  • Persistent skills shortages across all PGD disciplines
  • The introduction of self-certification for Plumbing and Drainlaying will help to streamline compliance processes

The PGD trades remain essential to New Zealand’s infrastructure needs. From maintaining water services to enabling energy transition, qualified plumbers, gasfitters, and drainlayers will stay in strong demand regardless of short-term construction cycles.