30 April e-News
In April we surveyed ACE New Zealand members to understand:
- the immediate impacts of COVID-19,
- what is driving these impacts, as well as
- member attitudes regarding the future of our sector
We heard from 138 firms who employ more than 11,000 staff. This represents a response rate of approximately 64% of member firms and market coverage (as measured by fulltime equivalent employees) of more than 80%
It’s safe to say that COVID-19 has had a significant impact. Both in terms of cash flow and service demand.
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Market confidence
It was very clear from responses that not all markets have been affected equally. In general, members felt far more positive about market sectors which had significant central government involvement, and well signalled forward pipelines and funding.
Transport is the most obvious example, with 94% of respondents indicating a positive outlook. The water sector also retained a good deal of confidence (67% positive).
In market sectors where the government plays a smaller role, there was significantly less confidence. The most evident examples of this are in the buildings, architecture and design market (43% negative) and land development and surveying (46% negative).
Capacity for additional work
While there was still capacity for extra work across all market sectors, it was evident that not all markets have been affected equally. In line with the market confidence findings, the capacity for additional work was lower in areas with significant government involvement, well-signalled pipelines, and funding. Transport and water were, once again, the most prominent examples.
In market sectors where the government plays a smaller role, additional capacity was markedly higher. The most evident example of this is the buildings, architecture and design market where 91% of firms indicated they had additional capacity, and concerningly 44% of firms had significant extra capacity. Areas with excess capacity are those most likely to be impacted by job losses.
Government stimulus
Feedback was that given the unequal impacts, any government stimulus-response should place additional emphasis on funding projects in sectors with the lowest confidence and most significant extra capacity.
Targeting funding in this way will ensure that we have a fair and balanced response, manage capacity constraints in some areas, and importantly keep the maximum number of industry professionals gainfully employed.
Read the summary report
COVID-19 Alert Level 3 permitted travel
One of the consistent questions I have been getting is what travel is and isn’t allowed under Alert Level 3. The guidance on some government sites has ambiguous or conflicting information, which has caused some confusion. So, I thought it best to clarify our understanding
New membership applications
We welcome your feedback on our recent applications for membership:
- Southern Civil Consulting
- Collective Success
- McKenzie and Co Consultants
If you have any comments on the suitability of these firms for admission as ACE New Zealand members, please contact Michelle Sloan[email protected]
What's on
We've moved our events to webinars:
Data protection essentials with Paul Ramsbottom
10am, Thursday 7 May
Managing Director at Advanced Solutions International, Paul Ramsbottom will explain how to protect data and safeguard your organisation's reputation by mitigating risk. Gain valuable insights to help protect your organisation before a data breach occurs.
Client experience in consulting, engineering and the built environment
Hear from beaton Research and Consulting partners Jon Huxley and Paul Hugh-Jones as they discuss their latest findings on customer experience and how crucial it is for professional services firms looking to differentiate their business.
Find out more and register
Climate change - Decarbonising transport by 2030
2pm, Friday 15 May
Founder of the 1point5 Project, Dr Paul Winton, discusses his research on how we can keep within a 1.5°C temperature rise by 2030, and the critical role transport plays.
Catch up on our past webinars
If you've missed any of our recent webinars, watch the recordings:
Stay safe,
Kia pai tō rā, Paul and the ACE New Zealand team
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Bike sales boom during the lockdown
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How should we change Producer Statements?
We're working with Engineering New Zealand to improve the Producer Statement forms that you use.
Your feedback is critical to make sure they're fit for purpose. Tell us what would be helpful to you in this short survey