Plumbing, Gasfitting & Drainlaying
Workforce Development Plan
$170.4bn
5-year construction sector project pipeline (2024-29)
16,929
Workforce size
2023
15,811
Workforce shortage
2023
Plumbing, Gasfitting & Drainlaying Sector Vision
A skilled, diverse, and well-supported workforce is key to the
future success of the Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying
sector.
By focusing on retention, attracting new talent, advancing
training opportunities, and embracing technological innovation,
we will ensure the sector thrives and adapts to the needs of
Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Plumbing, Gasfitting, and Drainlaying (PGD) is the backbone of safe, functional infrastructure, keeping homes, communities, and public spaces running smoothly across Aotearoa.
With around 17,000 people employed, this highly skilled sector plays a behind-the-scenes role that’s essential to modern life.
Traditionally male-dominated, the PGD workforce is evolving. From 2015 to 2023, Māori, Pacific, and Asian participation rose significantly, with Asian representation more than tripling. Today, women make up 15% of the workforce, and the sector is getting younger too: for the first time in years, under-55s now outnumber older workers.
Most PGD businesses are small and locally rooted, with the largest concentration in Auckland but a presence in every region. Training is fueling growth: in 2023, over 11,300 learners enrolled in PGD qualifications, the highest number to date.
With shifting technologies, changing regulations, and rising demand, the PGD workforce is building toward a future that’s adaptable, inclusive, and skilled.
Based on what we’ve heard from across the sector, here are the four key areas guiding workforce action:
- 01
- 02
- 03
- 04
