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Budget 2025 – not bad, not great, just… there
The Government’s 2025 Budget landed with all the fizz of a lukewarm cuppa. Finance Minister Nicola Willis called it a “careful balance,” and to be fair, that’s accurate. It doesn’t blow anything up, but it doesn’t spark much confidence either. For those of us working in construction, engineering, manufacturing, and labour hire, the good news is… well, there’s not a lot of bad news. But is there much here to help you move forward right now? Not really. What’s in the pot? Investment Boost – Businesses can now deduct an extra 20% on new asset purchases, on top of standard [...]
50-70 void hazards a week. One bloke is trying to fix it.
When a young apprentice fell through an unprotected void and was left paralysed, Kevin Jury was gutted, especially because he’d already quoted for the job. The builder said no at the time. After the accident, they asked Kevin to install his Voideck system across the site immediately. That moment changed everything. Kevin developed Voideck, an engineered platform designed to cover internal voids during construction. Originally created for Aussie sites where unprotected voids can shut down a site, Voideck is lightweight, adjustable, and certified. It doesn’t block access like scaffolding, and it’s shaped to fit even the trickiest gaps. Now Kevin’s [...]
Wellington’s wild job market – what’s really going on?
Let’s not sugarcoat it. Wellington’s job market is rough right now. If you’ve been job hunting recently, you probably don’t need another news story to confirm what you already know. Roles are scarce, competition is fierce, and even the most experienced professionals struggle to get a foot in the door. One candidate in The Post compared it to the Hunger Games on steroids. Honestly, fair. From our desk at Key Skills, we’re seeing a similar thing in construction, manufacturing, and engineering. SEEK says job ads in Wellington are flatlining while regions like Otago and Manawatū are seeing growth. MBIE’s figures [...]
“I broke my knee doing a TikTok – but I didn’t have to lose my job too”
I’ll never forget the date I fractured my knee. It was my birthday, 24th May. I was attempting a dance I’d seen on TikTok. I know, I know… not exactly the smartest birthday move! I fell badly, and the pain was immediate and intense. I ended up in A&E for most of the night, and after some scans, they confirmed I’d broken my knee. It was honestly a bit surreal. They gave me a medical certificate on the spot, stating I was “fully unfit” for all work for eight weeks. I remember just staring at that and thinking, eight weeks? [...]
Big news! We’re part of ACC’s Recovery at Work pilot!
Key Skills is partnering with ACC to pilot its Recovery at Work programme.
The real cost of a hiring mistake (and how to avoid one)
A wrong hire doesn’t just cost time, it can throw off a whole site. From delays and rework to team morale, we break down why getting it right matters, and how to spot red flags early.