Waitomo District Council's Manager of Asset Operations, Justin Dempsey recently completed a module  specialising in Competitive Pricing Procedures as part of  the NZQA qualification in Civil Engineering - Asset Management.

WDC Chief Executive, Chris Ryan says that "competitive pricing is a key tool for the WDC in its purchasing of services and goods under contracts for supply. It is very important that we do that part of the role effectively to obtain best value for the ratepayer."

Waitomo District Council is one of a growing number of  Councils incorporating the need for qualifications for contractors into its Engineering Standards as part of the ongoing procurement of services.

In the Waitomo District, contractors are required to hold qualifications for infrastructure drainlaying and pipelaying.

Jim Mclndoe of the Mcindoe Group, Te Kuiti, is one contractor who has positively responded to these changes. Jim has recently achieved an InfraTrain facilitated National Certificate in Infrastructure Pipelaying.