Description
This report compared trends in sustainable construction skills and knowledge and education preferences in Aotearoa New Zealand between 2022 and 2025 based on two national surveys of the construction sector. The research shows that the construction sector continues to identify embodied carbon and construction emissions as the most significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, while operational carbon remains underestimated. This perception gap matters because it shapes design, construction and retrofit priorities. Core zero-carbon construction skills remain highly valued, though climate change awareness shows signs of becoming baseline knowledge. Emerging priorities include building envelope inspection, performance verification and energy storage. The knowledge of the construction sector improved across all areas between 2022 and 2025, but practical experience lags, particularly in transition planning, offsetting and life cycle assessment, underscoring the need for hands-on learning. Technical competence is uneven across the sector, with gaps in embodied carbon awareness and renewable energy systems. Cultural resistance and cost pressures have overtaken information gaps as leading barriers to climate action. Education preferences remain for professional development workshops and seminars, with growing interest in micro-credentials and job shadowing. Despite slight improvements, training satisfaction remains low. Overall, the construction sector is progressing in awareness but faces persistent challenges in practical application and technical capability, highlighting the critical role of accessible, flexible and experiential technical and vocational education.
