This case study examines an innovative Apprenticeship Academy model from a Construction company (the Company) based in New Zealand. The study, based on interviews with 19 participants including apprentices and staff, reveals how the Academy’s model differentiates itself from traditional apprenticeship programs through the implementation of a dedicated Apprenticeship Development Coach (ADC). Key findings highlight the significance of dedicated mentoring and pastoral care, strong organizational culture, leadership commitment, and structured learning approaches in apprentice development. The Academy’s success is evidenced by high apprentice satisfaction, retention rates, and skill development. The study concludes with recommendations for the wider New Zealand construction sector, including the potential implementation of an Apprenticeship Support Network to scale similar support services across the industry. This model demonstrates how targeted investment in apprentice development can benefit both employers and employees while addressing industry-wide skills shortages. © 2025 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Author Keywords
Index Keywords
