Since its inception 22 years ago, Cassidy Construction has become a highly regarded full-contract construction business operating in industrial and commercial sectors across New Zealand. However, the firm warns of underinvestment in education stifling industry growth.

General manager Brendon Vincent says the firm’s success is underpinned by a focus on fundamental values, including doing things the right way and putting people first.

“Our business principle is that anything worth doing is worth doing well, and these values continue to guide us – from a commitment to health, safety and the environment to our clients, communities and nurturing the next generation of industry talent,” he says.

A focus on the latter has seen Cassidy Construction become the Keystone Trust’s newest sponsorship partner. This role will see the business support students with financial and circumstantial needs as they work toward qualifications in the property and construction sectors.

Amanda Stanes, general manager of Keystone Trust, says Cassidy Construction’s decision to become a sponsor shows a valuable commitment to developing skills within the industry.  

“Collaborating with Cassidy will provide support, mentorship and career pathways for future Keystone students, and we look forward to building a meaningful relationship with the business that will change young people’s lives,” she says.

Following a chance conversation, Stanes met with Vincent and Cassidy Construction’s people manager Alison Morris, and the two operators quickly found they had much in common.

“Cassidy has an emphasis on training and promoting talent from within their organisation to ensure core values, knowledge and skills are developed, which has huge upside for our Keystone students as they transition from study into the workforce,” Stanes says.

Alison Morris agrees, noting the promotion of opportunities to young people entering the industry is something the firm has dedicated itself to for years.

“Initiatives including partnerships with high school Gateway Programmes, the sponsorship of Site Safe Qualifications, apprenticeships, cadetships, internal mentorship structures, and robust training and development opportunities speak to our commitment to ensuring the industry continues to thrive and innovate, supported by the next generation of talent.

“The opportunity to mentor Keystone students really stood out to us because many of our leaders began at Cassidy more than 10 or 20 years ago, and they understand how vital the support and mentorship they received was when they developed their skills in the industry.

“In addition to this, we love the symbolism of our alignment with the trust. Given a keystone is the most important part of a plan – something which all else depends – we see our team here at Cassidy as the main reason to seek meaningful partnerships, because business and structural integrity begins and ends with people,” Morris says.

Operating by the ethos ‘First Choice’, Vincent says Cassidy Construction aims to deliver first choice outcomes for their clients, people, whānau, supply chains and the broader community.

“We are constructors. Our people live and breathe construction. But we are also dedicated to collaboration, continuous improvement and up-skilling the next generation as society develops.”

“Day-to-day, we are constantly challenged – a feature of life Keystone students know all about – which makes Cassidy all the more determined to support achievement through our new partnership,” he says.

With capacity constraints and skill shortages showing little sign of easing across New Zealand’s building and construction sectors, Stanes says the value of developing talent at home becomes all the more crucial.

“Gaining Cassidy’s support allows us to create valuable career pathways. In addition, we can utilise critical resources and practical learning opportunities to build self-confidence, connection and a genuine sense of belonging within our students, ultimately developing a more engaged workforce that will help to further innovation and stability within the construction sector.

“By giving our deserving students a career lifeline, the work of Cassidy Construction, Keystone Trust and our support network has a huge social impact for Aotearoa, and we are endlessly grateful to all that make this possible,” Stanes says.

For further media enquiries, please contact

Amanda Stanes                                                                             
Keystone Trust – General Manager                                             
M: 021 689 380
E: amanda@keystonetrust.org.nz 

Jen Florkowski
Cassidy Construction – People Advisor
M: 027 880 4069
E: j.florkowski@cassidy.co.nz