In 2004, the New Zealand Government decided to adopt occupational licensing for the building sector. This was largely in response to the "leaky building syndrome" that emerged as new building techniques were used in the early part of the 21st century.

A new government department was established - the Department of Building and Housing and CIL was contracted to research and recommend assessment approaches to the licensing requirements.

In 2006 CIL was contracted to design the assessment methodology for 7 licensing classes which ranged from carpentry, site management and design. In 2008 CIL was again contracted to reshape the methodology for 4 subtrades and 2 supervisory classes. These had to be done in conjunction with industry representatives and had to meet the following principles:
- Ensuring that the assessment processes were educationally and methodologically sound
- Ensuring the processes were industry informed and endorsed
- Balancing rigour, simplicity and practicality
- Ensuring validity, sufficiency and authenticity within the evidence collection models

CIL also designed the training for all assessors who were appointed by DBH to assess licensing applicants. Much of the work was done in consultation with Assessment Systems Ltd, the assessment agent appointed to manage the process and with various Industry Training Organisations and Professional Associations.

This paper follows the journey taken during this process from the perspectives of a number of the key players - DBH staff, members of the advisory groups, Assessment Systems Ltd and the assessors using the new systems. It explores the debates and the trade offs, the challenges and the learnings taken from the creation of a completely new system that will change the face of the building industry in New Zealand and affect over 50,000 people employed in the various sectors within the industry.