Engineering New Zealand has reported a sharp rise in university engineering enrolments and graduate numbers, but says the increase has not closed the country's engineering skills gap.
The findings are based on an analysis of accredited Bachelor of Engineering with Honours programmes at New Zealand universities from 2013 to 2023. Enrolments rose 58 per cent over that period, while the number of graduates increased 80 per cent.
The data suggests stronger student interest in engineering and a larger flow of graduates into the labour market. Even so, the profession's peak body argues supply remains well short of what New Zealand needs to meet infrastructure demand and replace workers leaving the sector.
Engineering New Zealand estimates the country needs between 1,500 and 2,300 additional engineers each year, based on earlier PwC work commissioned by the organisation and later updated.
Dr Richard Templer, Chief Executive Officer of Engineering New Zealand, linked the shortfall to wider economic and public policy pressures.
"It's estimated we need between 1,500 and 2,300 additional engineers every year to meet demand and support resilience, innovation and economic growth. Our long-term skills issue is compounded by an ageing workforce, engineers leaving for opportunities overseas, and job losses from the recent economic downturn," Templer said.
Separate figures from ACE New Zealand add to that picture. Over the past two years, engineering firms lost 1,350 people through redundancy, while 596 left for overseas, according to industry data cited by Engineering New Zealand.
That combination of layoffs and migration raises questions about the sector's ability to respond when public and private investment returns. New Zealand has faced recurring concern over its infrastructure backlog, with transport, water and housing projects all competing for technical skills.
Templer warned the current slowdown could deepen future shortages rather than solve them.
"These job losses and the lack of prospects for engineering graduates will lead to a workforce shortage when infrastructure and construction spending picks back up," he said.
Diversity shift
The report also found changes in the make-up of engineering graduates. The number of Māori and women graduates more than doubled between 2013 and 2023, while Pasifika graduate numbers tripled.
Those gains suggest outreach and education efforts are broadening entry into the profession. However, Māori, Pasifika and women remain underrepresented among engineers.
Engineering New Zealand and its partners have invested in programmes aimed at widening participation. The Matata Initiative, run through the Engineering New Zealand Foundation, is providing more than $1 million over three years to support Māori and Pasifika rangatahi into engineering and technology careers.
Another programme, the Wonder Project, works with schools and volunteer engineers to encourage pupils to engage with science, technology, engineering and maths subjects. It has involved more than 2,000 volunteer engineers and reached 160,000 ākonga.
Templer said representation in the profession matters for public outcomes.
"An engineering workforce that reflects the communities it serves is critical to delivering better outcomes for New Zealand. We're seeing real progress, but there is more work to do," he said.
Planning pressure
Beyond university enrolments, the report feeds into a broader debate over how New Zealand plans major infrastructure work and the workforce needed to deliver it. Industry groups have long argued that stop-start project pipelines make it harder for firms to recruit, retain and train staff.
Engineering New Zealand is calling for continued investment in engineering education and stronger long-term workforce planning. It also wants a more consistent approach to infrastructure planning so employers have greater certainty over future demand.
Templer said that certainty is essential to hiring decisions across the sector.
"This needs to happen alongside long-term planning for New Zealand's infrastructure pipeline so engineering firms have the certainty to hire and invest with confidence, and we have offered our expertise to support this work," he said.